From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
At a sensitization fair held simultaneously in Bayelsa and Rivers State, the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) rallied support to grow Nigeria’s economy and pull it out of danger.
The Director Corporate Communications, Mr Osita Nwanisobi in his presentation to a cross section of people from Bayelsa and Rivers states said the CBN is using the sensitization fair to educate Nigerians about the economy and role expected of the people to make it virile and stable.
Represented by Head Internal Communications, Corporate Communications Department, Mr Samuel Okogbue, Nwanisobi noted that Nigeria’s economy had faced key challenges including two recessions in the past 15 years.
According to him, many Nigerians had questioned the role of the CBN in solving the economic woes of the country without thinking of their own actions which are hurting the economy.
“CBN operates behind the scenes to help the government execute its programme. We are here to intimate you about some of these programmes. Even though we operate behind the scenes it has also become necessary that we come out to let you people know what we are doing,” he said.
He explained that the appetite for foreign goods and services is harming the economy causing the high cost of dollars, adding that Nigerians must collectively work to salvage the economy.
Nwanisobi reiterated that the CBN under its governor, Godwin Emefiele is poised to run a bank that is people oriented, stressing that the people would be sensitized to know how to benefit from loans given by commercial banks and how the CBN can protect them.
“There are also things the Central Bank is doing to see how we can minimise the negative effect of this situation since our present governor made a vow that we will operate a Central Bank that is people oriented. He said he is going to operate a Central Bank that will touch the people that will identify with what the people are doing with Agriculture and what it will take to grow the Nigeria economy and in growing Nigeria economy so that the people will benefit from the process of that growth by way of creating employment.
The Branch Controller, Mr Francis Asuquo also pointed out that the primary objective of the fair is to sensitize the people about the CBN initiatives.
He stated that as a critical stakeholder in economic development, the CBN seeks collaboration with the people to contribute to the effort of the Federal Government towards achieving a well-diversified and prosperous economy.
Asuquo expressed optimism the experience of the CBN would help the people in the effort to achieve a financially literate society, help in employment creation, and poverty reduction and build a sustainable economy.