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From Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
A Catholic Priest in the Diocese of Makurdi, Rev Fr Theophilus Hwande, has urged Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari and embrace the cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), for its numerous benefits.
Hwande who gave the charge in a chat with our correspondent in Makurdi, on Saturday, said the policy will put a clog in the wheels of vote buying and also check kidnapping, arms dealings among other ills bedeviling the nation.
Recall that the CBN, in a memo in November 2022, announced that with effect from 9th January 2023, over the counter cash withdrawals by individuals and corporate entities would not exceed N100,000 and N500,000 respectively per week.
The bank had explained that the cashless policy was aimed at scaling up financial inclusion and reducing of armed robbery, kidnapping, terrorism, financing advanced fee fraud, graft, ransom payment, extortion and other crimes.
The policy, coupled with the redesigning of the naira notes, has, however caused scarcity of naira notes making Nigerians to go through difficult times.
Hwande who noted that since the cashless policy, kidnapping has reduced said it will also check other forms of crimes especially arms dealings.
“Since the policy came on board have you heard of kidnapping. If you kidnap somebody now without cash, how do you get ransom.
“For me, the cashless policy is a great advantage. Let us embrace it. Let’s not loose the opportunity. I don’t believe that we should go back and run away from a problem. Let’s face the problem and tackle it once and for all.
“With what Buhari has done, he is giving us a gift, only if we open our eyes, we would see it. What is the gift? Buhari doesn’t want anybody to buy votes. All of this is going to end on the day of the election and you will see enough money in the country, at least, the one that is reasonable enough for circulation.”
Speaking on the scarcity of naira notes and the sufferings Nigerians are passing through, Hwande who acknowledged the inconveniences of the policy said “for the overall good of all, let us endure.”
While noting that the President had promised Nigerians a credible election, the cleric called on all to go out and cast their votes for a vibrant, honest and good people like Peter Obi among others for a better Nigeria.
