Okoi Obono-Obla, a former presidential aide, has noted that the change in the design of Naira notes will cut off terrorists, kidnappers, and money launderers from having access to illicit funds which they use to perpetrate their nefarious activities.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 26, 2022, he hailed the Central Bank of Nigeria’s announcement yesterday that by 15 December 2022, the redesigned Naira notes will be in circulation.
He described it as a step in the right direction by the All Progressives Congress, APC, and government.
He said the change in the design of the national currency is an anti-corruption measure.
In his opinion, Obono-Obla said the CBN announcement will contribute substantially to stopping politicians from using large sums of money in the forthcoming general elections to influence and compromise voters.
He said the Federal Government needs to be commended for taking the far-reaching, comprehensive, and bold initiative to revamp the national currency.
He added that it will also stem trafficking and hoarding of the national currency.
Governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele said by January 2023 the current denominations of the Naira including N100, N200, N500, and N1000 will cease to be legal tenders in the country.
In a surprising move, the military regime of Major General Muhammadu Buhari and late Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon promulgated a decree in January 1984 which empowered the CBN to redesign the Naira currency.
