The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) spent N58.618 billion to print 2.518 billion Naira notes last year
The apex bank disclosed this in its 2020 Currency Report posted on its website on Thursday.
The figure, according to the report was lower than the N75.5 billion and N64.0 billion spent by the CBN for the printing of currency in 2019 and 2018 respectively.
It said: “The total cost incurred on printing of banknotes in 2020 amounted to N58.6 billion compared with N75.5 billion in 2019. This indicated a decrease of N16.9 billion or 28.84 percent.”
CBN also revealed that the notes were printed in the country by the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc (NSPM Plc).
“The CBN approved 2.518 billion pieces of banknotes of various denominations in 2020 to satisfy the currency needs of the economy compared with 3.830 billion in the preceding year.
“The NSPM Plc was awarded the contract for the production of the entire indent. At end of December 2020, NSPM Plc had delivered 100 percent of the approved indent.”
The apex bank also put the total stock of currency (issuable & non-issuable) in its vaults at the end of December 2020 at 2.747 billion pieces compared to 2.641 billion pieces in 2019.
This indicated an increase of 105.73 million pieces or 4.0 percent.
“At end of December 2020, the total issuable notes (newly printed notes and Counted Audited Clean notes) was 592.94 million pieces compared with 726.43 million pieces in 2019, representing a decrease of 133.49 million pieces or 18.38 percent,” the report added.
The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Thursday called off the one week sit-at-home order. This is coming two days to Anambra state gubernatorial elections slated for 6thNovember, 2021.
Stating its reasons for the cancelation, the group through its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, opined that the intervention of their elders, esteemed traditional Institutions /Rulers and Religious Leaders made it possible.
Emma however asked Anambrarians to exercise their civic right by coming out enmess to vote for their candidate.
Read the full statement:
WE HAVE CANCELLED OUR ONE WEEK SIT-AT-HOME – IPOB
Following the genuine intervention of our elders, esteemed traditional Institutions /Rulers and Religious Leaders, and after a due consideration of the positive impacts of their engagement, and sequel to the fact that Our elders have spoken in our terms , the Leadership of IPOB ably lead by MAZI NNAMDI Kanu hereby and immediately CALL OFF THE ONE WEEK SIT AT HOME earlier declared to commence tomorrow, November 5 to November 10, 2021.
“We have equally considered several appeals by our mothers who earn their living based on their daily economic activities which will obviously be affected if Biafra land is locked down for one whole week. It’s never our intention to add to the pains of our people, hence our decision to suspend the sit-at-home.
IPOB leadership is only interested in Our referendum and peaceful agitation for self determination, and can not by under any guise be seen to be interfering with any electoral process.
“The people of Anambra State should go out enmasse and peacefully exercise their franchise come 6th November 20121 and accordingly, chose a leader of their Choice and should not be intimidated by anybody, group of persons or security agents.
Anambrarians should vote and standby to protect their votes. No rigging of any kind will be tolerated on the Anambra State governorship election. It must be transparent, free and fair to all.
“We wish to thank Biafrans, IPOB members worldwide, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom for their continued support for our dogged struggle for independence.
“May we therefore, warn detractors, traitors and enemies of Biafra not to cause confusion by imputing motives to our decision. IPOB doesn’t expect anybody to observe, monitor or enforce the suspended order otherwise such action will be considered a rebellion to the highest leadership of our global movement.
“On the other hand, our oppressors should not take our decision as an act of cowardice. IPOB still believes that our elders, religious leaders, political leaders and various stakeholders will live up to their promises in their engagements and efforts towards securing the unconditional release of our leader.
“We therefore urge all Biafrans and residents of Biafra to go about their lawful businesses without fear of any molestations. All agents of darkness recruited by our enemies to inflict pains on our people under the guise of enforcing the sit-at-home are hereby warned to steer clear or brace up for the consequences of their evil action.
“IPOB will not relent in our pursuit for Biafra freedom. Nigeria government must give us date for Biafra referendum to decide where we want to belong.”
With barely two days to the Anambra Governorship Election scheduled for November 6, voters in Awka , Idemili and Onitsha shared their thoughts on how the gubernatorial race will end and why it’s a close race between Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo of APGA, Sen Andy Uba of PDP and Val Ozigbo of PDP.
‘’I don’t think Soludo will lose-period,’’ Emeka Okoye from Awka who is a civil servant said. ‘’We have delivered APGA in Anambra in the past 16 years. We will do it again. We have a thriving economy and an excellent management of state resources. Our salaries are promptly paid and likewise pensions. We now can boast of good infrastructures and now one of the best airports in the country. I think we are in good shape ’’.
APGA’s Soludo , APC’s Andy and Valentine Ozigbo of PDP are among the 18 candidates jostling for the governorship position. However, the three candidates are entering the election at a near close race with Soludo who has ran a disciplined campaign leading on a double digit. Recent opinion polls suggests he may win in 19 of the 21 Local Governments in the state.
One woman in Idemili who told me she had voted PDP in past-elections, said she will now vote APGA because of Soludo ‘’because the country is in turmoil and we need a governor who will not be learning on the job. ‘’Look where we are at and look what’s going on in the country. We need someone who clearly understand the issues’’.
Another voter in Onitsha said the voter turn-out may not be large because of insecurity and lack of enthusiasm in the people but hope the race will not be as close as it is looking, because Soludo need to win decisively.
The Anambra governorship election to be held on November 6th has thrown up so much dirt. It has proved the cliché; portraying politics as indeed a dirty game. The electioneering campaign has been so smearing that even a saint would not be spared. Of all the eighteen in the race, the candidates of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Professor Chukwuma Soludo and the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Andy Uba, have taken more of the bashing.
Two claims that have been bandied about against Chukwuma Soludo particularly need interrogating for the reason that they have been spun out of context and branded lies told by the former CBN governor just to win the governorship election. In these two instances, the suppositions are not quite correct and therefore smack more of propaganda than setting the records straight, thus providing the irresistible reason for this intervention.
The two issues now branded as lies are the role Soludo said he played in the birthing of Transcorp Hilton and Andy Uba’s claim that he made Soludo governor of the CBN, which the latter repudiated. Let the two issues be put in the right perspective and you be the judge.
Recall that Nicon Noga Hilton Hotel, which opened its door to first guests in 1987, became Nicon Hilton around the year 2000, when the Noga Intl Hotels pulled out. Soon after, during privatization, Nicon Hilton became Transcorp Hilton. This happened when in 2005, the Federal Government of Nigeria privatized NIRMSCO Properties Limited – the then-owner of the Nicon Hilton Hotel, Abuja. As part of a consortium, Transcorp plc purchased a proprietary stake in the company and became the core investor, while the federal government retained the remaining 49 per cent. Hilton International LLC was initially engaged to manage the property.
Soludo was by then the CBN governor when this transformation happened with Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as President. As CBN governor, there was no doubt that Soludo would have a hand in the policy initiative that yielded Transcorp Hilton and others like it at the time.
The full story of how the group led then by Ndi Okereke-Onyiauke took over Nicon Hilton, using the Blind Trust in which Obasanjo had vested interest but later divested himself, is for another day. The fact is that without Obasanjo on the advice of Soludo there wouldn’t have been Transcorp Hilton as at then. So, if Soludo says he inspired the new corporation by getting Obasanjo on board, it is nothing but the gospel truth and whoever calls it a lie is either ignorant or is simply being mischievous.
Soludo as CBN governor did not overreach himself by playing such a role. CBN is statutorily responsible for monetary policies of the government. But the apex bank equally plays a lot of interventionist roles in the fiscal sphere such as advising on privatization and similar policy directions. It is not therefore out of place for Soludo to see the strategic importance of Transcorp Hilton, which has remained the foremost hotel in Nigeria.
On the role of Andy Uba in Soludo’s emergence as CBN governor (2004–2009), one may ask: was it Andy Uba that recommended Soludo to Obasanjo or someone else? Obasanjo is alive and can correct me if I am wrong. Andy Uba may have put in a word to his principal, President Olusegun Obasanjo (as he then was) for Soludo. However, what happened was that it was a search party, led by a world-class economist, Professor Emmanuel Edozien that recommended Soludo to Obasanjo. Andy Uba was not in that search team and based on his cognate experience and claimed specialization, he was not really in a position to make the search party. He is not a banker or an economist (some say a physiotherapist), and was not in a position to advise on who could become CBN governor.
As at the time of his appointment as CBN governor, Soludo had already proved himself as an economic guru and therefore not a ‘nobody’, or can be said to be one tucked away in obscurity. He had made a name for himself by designing the famous economic recovery blueprint for the Obasanjo Presidency – NEEDS. He had already arrived at the centre stage and was in the thick of things to a significant extent.
For emphasis, the search party recommended Soludo, not Andy Uba. One may not be sure of what Andy Uba says he studied and where, but certainly he is not qualified to recommend a CBN governor to a President like Obasanjo. Putting in a word, yes, but that is not a recommendation in this sense.
The point is: if the search party did not recommend Soludo, he wouldn’t have become CBN governor despite Andy’s interest, however disposed to Soludo he might have been. Andy Uba’s role – if indeed he played it – is therefore very secondary and Soludo not reckoning with it cannot be a lie or lack of gratitude.
Everything is not politics. One also hears that Soludo is arrogant. I know Soludo to be impatient with people who have time to waste, which all serious-minded persons, not only Soludo, do not have. That is not being arrogant.
For the avoidance of doubt, I am not a member of the Soludo campaign, so this explanation is for the common good. Let the spin doctors find something more plausible and stop dwelling on irrelevancies and inconsequentialities, which can only cause distractions.
Ahead of the Saturday, November 6th, 2021 Gubernatorial election in Anambra State, heads of the various police tactical units monitoring the exercise held an interactive and familiarisation session today with the representatives of various media outlets and civil society organizations at the Anambra State police command headquarters, Awka.
The session which was anchored by the Force Spokesman, CP Frank Mba began with formal introduction of the police units heads, civil society organisations and members of the press corp accredited for the election. Addressing the audience, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Zaki Ahmed assured members of the public, voters and those conducting the exercise of topnotch security provision, stressing that there would be no unprofessional conduct from the police before, during and after the election. He assured Anambra electorate and candidates participating in the election of fair treatment, reiterating the readiness of the Police to resist any attempt by anyone at fomenting trouble before, during and after the election. He took turns and responded to the various questions thrown at him by the press regarding the exercise.
Concluding, DIG Zaki beseeched Anambra electorate and candidates of the various political parties to conduct themselves in a manner of decorum, requesting that members of the public co-operate with the security agents working to protect lives and property of citizens, hinting that restriction of movements within, into and out of the state would start by 11:30 pm and would run from Friday till Sunday. He used the opportunity and dismissed the rumour that the police was under obligation to harass and arrest some government officials in the state at the behest of a certain political party. He urged public to disregard the rumour as it’s nothing but fake news. He charged the press to do everything they could to eschew fake news reportage as that could contribute in shattering efforts of the police at achieving safe environment for the election.
•DSP NKEIRUKA NWODE, Anipr.
ZPPRO/Head, Presspol, Anambra State Gubernatorial Election.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has clarified its position on the forthcoming Anambra Gubernatorial election amidst rumours of boycott and forceful sit-at-home in the Eastern part of the country.
In a statement, IPOB disclosed that no person or group should compel anyone to obey the sit-at-home order which they said, commences tomorrow (Friday), November 5.
The statement which was signed by IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, the group said it has no interest in Anambra governorship election scheduled to hold on Saturday, adding that it is the choice of the people to vote or not to vote.
It, however, warned those who wish to exercise their voting rights to stay vigilant, insisting that there is no going back on its sit-at-home directive to protest against the continued detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The statement read in parts, “We wish to correct some misconceptions, unfounded speculations and outright falsehood concerning our position on the forthcoming November 6 governorship election in Anambra State.
“First of all, we wish to reiterate that IPOB did not at any time issue any order or call for the boycott of the said election contrary to misconceptions in certain quarters. In fact, IPOB has nothing to do with Anambra election. Nobody should therefore link us with the election. The freedom of our Leader is what matters to us and we don’t need distractions.
“The priority of IPOB is to secure the unconditional release of our Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who has been illegally detained since his rendition to Nigeria. All we said was that if by November 4 those who abducted, renditioned and illegally detained him fail to release him unconditionally, Biafrans shall embark on civil disobedience of a one-week sit-at-home beginning from November 5 to November 10
“This action has nothing to do with Anambra election. As a matter of fact, we are not concerned if anyone wishes to participate or not to participate in Anambra election. But our only advice to Ndi Anambra especially those contemplating to vote is to be very careful about their security.
“Thirty-four (34) thousand police officers excluding the Army, Civil defence, DSS (Department of State Services) and other security personnel have been moved down to Biafraland for an election or a continuation of the mass massacre of our people – young and old? The Nigerian Security personnel are using every opportunity to commit mayhem in Biafraland and then turn around to point accusing fingers at IPOB.
“We want to categorically state that IPOB has not asked anybody to monitor or enforce compliance to any sit-at-home as this is unnecessary because Biafrans willingly and consciously obey IPOB’s call for Sit-at-Home.
“Our people are all fed up with their suffering and oppressive conditions imposed upon us by the contraption called Nigeria and do not need any persuasion to do the needful. We also wish to totally dissociate IPOB from a viral voice note warning hotel owners in Anambra to shut down from November 4. The said voice note never emanated from IPOB. It’s another handiwork of our oppressors in their desperation to implicate IPOB. We, therefore, urge members of the public to discountenance such rubbish. IPOB under Nnamdi Kanu is not the author.
“That voice note ordering all hotels in Anambra State to shut down must stop. We now order all our volunteers to unravel the monster behind this wicked voice note. It’s now very obvious that some traitors are out to demonise IPOB.
“Our people should know that the enemies in collaboration with some traitors and desperate politicians are coming up with various pranks and antics to cause confusion in our midst and possibly scuttle our struggle for independence.
“We, therefore, warn that anybody caught trying to use the name of IPOB to foment trouble in Anambra State or any part of Biafra land will regret his or her actions. IPOB has never told anybody or group to boycott Anambra election.
“We are only interested in the freedom of our leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU.
“We have through intelligence, observed that some desperate politicians are sponsoring some hoodlums and miscreants to use IPOB’s name to dish out statements capable of creating confusion in their desperate attempt to pitch this great movement against our people.
“It is important to note and re-emphasise that IPOB has its channels of information dissemination, and any information purportedly coming from IPOB that is not passed through these channels is fake and should be disregarded. The public should stop linking us with any trash that doesn’t have the authority of IPOB Spokesperson.
“We still call on the federal government of NIGERIA to release our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally. He committed no crime to justify his illegal detention while Fulani bandits, terrorists and mass murderers are busy having fun in the North.”
Says Self Determination and Referendum are achieved through political Process
An ideologically driven political movement in the South east – Good Governance Ministry (GGM ) has directed all her members and ambassadors across 326 wards in Anambra state to participate actively in the coming Anambra Gubernatorial election scheduled to hold on Saturday November 6th,2021.
In a press statement issued and signed by GGM Director General Pastor Chibuzor Chukwuemeka , the group had after her General meeting in Awka declared as follows:
“That as a group that believes in achieving self determination through political process and with several months on public sensitization program for the election of a credible and visionary Governor in Anambra state ,GGM declares that full participation in saturday election is important to stop the enemies of people from accessing political office in alaigbo.
“That the Anambra State governorship election must be peaceful and, credible as GGM has through her radio programs advised her fans to assist in effecting a peaceful and credible election in Anambra State.
“That GGM has encouraged the Independent Electoral Commission to go ahead without distraction in conducting the governorship election this weekend.”
The statement read further: “That GGM advised the people of Anambra State and other residents in Anambra to exercise their fundamental and constitutional rights of electing their next governor because Anambra political space will never be in a vacuum.
“That GGM position on this weekend Anambra governorship election is for the interest of Ndigbo, we can never allow or give unfortunate legal room for outsiders to dictate our political and economic future.”
Pastor Chukwuemeka explained that “That GGM position on Anambra State election cannot truncate the self determination agenda for our dear people . We must always consider the overall interest of Ndigbo first before group or individual interest.”
However ,GGM has been monitoring all the Gubernatorial Candidates to ensure that the best person wins the election, to that end ,GGM has conducted online poll to determine the most preferred Gubernatorial Candidate . Prof Chukwuma Soludo came first in the poll with 53.28% while Mr Valentine Ozigbo came second with 31.02%
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Enugu Depot Community, has advised motorists and those on election duty in Anambra to buy sufficient petrol on Thursday.
Chinedu Anyaso, Chairman of IPMAN in the zone made the call in Awka on Wednesday.
Mr Anyaso said the decision to close outlets was in line with the directive of the Anambra government that Thursday and Friday should be work free days to enable workers to go to their voting locations.
He said the Police have also ordered total lockdown effective Thursday and that marketers would have to abide.
The chairman urged marketers to allow their staff and pump attendants who were eligible voters to travel and exercise their civic duty.
He assured that there was enough supply in Anambra and that those who required products should go to any outlet and purchase to avoid being stranded on Friday.
“We are law abiding citizens, the State government and security agencies have announced various measures to enable people participate in the election including work free days and statewide lockdown.
By Thursday, filling stations will shut down in compliance with these directives, so we want to advise that those who will be on election duty should make efforts to buy fuel on Thursday.
“Our workers, most of whom are registered voters in Anambra, will also have to travel to the places where they will cast their votes,” he said.
Obinna Iyiegbu, also known as Obi Cubana, Anambra State-born philanthropist and business has broken silence after his encounter with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Obi Cubana was arrested and brought to the EFCC headquarters on Monday afternoon over allegations of money laundering and tax fraud.
In what many believe to be his statement after regaining his freedom on Tuesday, the socialite wrote ‘UNBROKEN’ on his verified Instagram page.
Acknowledging his followers, he said “I love you all.”
