The Central Bank of Nigeria has urged citizens to handle the national currency with greater care, warning that the government spends substantial sums replacing mutilated, soiled and torn banknotes.
Adetola Adegoke, director of the CBN’s Currency Operations Department, made the appeal during a sensitisation roadshow in Kano on Monday. She was represented by Ibrahim Yahaya, deputy director of the Planning and Development Division.
“The Naira is a symbol of our sovereignty and our national pride, therefore we need to handle it carefully and effectively,” Adegoke said.
She noted that proper handling would extend the lifespan of notes and reduce the financial burden of replacements. “We believe that by handling the Naira the right way, we are extending its life span and saving a lot of money in terms of replacement,” she added.
The three-day campaign, which began at the Galadima Road section of Sabon Gari Market, is scheduled to cover other major markets in the state, including Abattoir Market, Tarauni Market, Hadejia Road Market and Dawanau International Grains Market.
Mustapha Sani Suleiman, chairman of the Galadima Road section of Sabon Gari Market, pledged traders’ support but called on the CBN to direct commercial banks to stop re-issuing old, dirty and torn notes to customers.
