With few days to the deadline on the expiration of old Naira notes, a group, Society for the Youth and the Downtrodden, SOYD, has called on the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to consider an extension by fifteen days.
In a press release issued yesterday by SOYD, its President, Comrade Ogwuche Gabriel stated that the request was coming as a result of empirical findings and on behalf of senior citizens, elderly and vulnerable members of the society living in remote communities or villages across Nigeria, whose activities were predominantly characterised by traditional or crude method of savings and other financial transactions.
Ogwuche noted that whilst the new redesigned notes was unavailable and inaccessible, the currency is still unknown to many Nigerians as proper channels of communications was initially deficient.
He said, “As an umbrella body, we are strengthening our working capacity in conjunction with traditional rulers, religious bodies and community based groups to cushion the effect and ensure that our people did not loose their lifelong savings due to this monetary program of the Government.
“We wish to use this medium to humbly call on the Federal Government of Nigeria under the watch of Mr. President and Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, in particular to extend the deadline for the use of old naira note by fifteen days.
“Hence, the need for this passionate appeal. We regret any inconveniences”.