Change Of Currency: Christians Shun Sunday Church Service
By Simeon OSAJIE
Consequent upon the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directive that commercial banks should open on Saturday and Sunday to expedite the change of old currency, some anxious customers in Oredo, Ikpoba and Egor Local Government Areas believed to be Christians shun service on Sunday, 29th January 2023.
The anxious customers were seen gathered at the premises of the commercial banks monitored by our correspondent as early as 8 am.
Most of them declined to disclose their identities.
However those that spoke explained that they do not want to be caught up with the rush for the change of old currency on the last day of the exercise.
Other complained that commercial banks did not issue new currency but accept old ones at as on Saturday 28th January, 2023.
The ugly trend may have affected tithes and offerings in churches as bank details were given to worshippers in a church attended by our correspondent.
It was reported that the new currency was available in the black market at as the time of filing this report and that two thousand naira was charged on very ten thousand naira.
Meanwhile there was unconfirmed report of extension of Central Bank deadline on the change of old currency to February 10th, 2023
Those that spoke to our correspondent expressed delight over the extension of the deadline.
One of them, Mr Andrew Osakpolor responded that “If it is true, then it is a welcome development.”
He however advised that Central Bank should monitor the exercise in order to checkmate corrupt commercial bank managers.
A notable chieftain in one of the party in the state, who also declined to disclose his identity,
called on President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the gesture to the petroleum industry by implementing measures that will reduce the price of fuel and put an end to the scarcity of the petroleum product.
