By Nkechi Eze
As part of measures to address the issue of the widespread abuse and mutilation of Naira notes, particularly in entertainment and social gatherings, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has tasked operators of events centres, clubs and lounges to protect the Naira from abuse.
Olukoyede made the call for Naira protection during a sensitization session with event centre, club, and lounge operators at the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Commission.
The Chairman who spoke through the Acting Zonal Director, ACE I Effa Imoh Okim charged the operators to protect the Naira from abuse. He said that naira was our national treasure which all Nigerians should protect from every form of abuse. He noted that spraying of naira at event was a wrong mentality which should be discouraged.
According to him, spraying of money was at the foundation of economic and financial crimes in the country. “Young people growing up and seeing adult spraying money will grow up with the wrong values. They want to emulate what those ahead of then are doing and so they get involved in illegitimate activities to make money so they can spray in event. So, you see Yahoo boys spraying their ill-gotten money at nightclubs, throwing it into the air and showcasing their vanity.”
He admonished the operators to enlighten their customers on the danger of spraying money at their facilities as the Commission will arrest and prosecute anyone found culpable.
“We are doing this today because we want to partner with you to tackle this malaise. We are not against your legitimate business which is vital to economic growth. What we are against are your customers who come to your facilities and abuse the Naira, we want you to take measures to forestall this. Let them know that they cannot spray money in your facilities as it is against the law.”
Darlington Eneneba, a lounge manager, expressed gratitude to the Commission for the enlightenment programme, but requested a grace period to allow operators to educate their clients on the proper handling of the Naira.
