… Decries Naira redesign policy implementation
Youths in the country have been admonished on the need to stay clear of violence in the Saturday presidential and National Assembly polls.
John Akinmurele, the President of the Students Union,, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Ondo state in 2004, gave the admonition in an interview with the newsmen.
Currently a finance and security expert based in Canada, Akinmurele hailed the federal government’s directive to close universities and inter-university centres for three weeks, to enable students exercise their franchise.
“The closing of academic exercise for three weeks is a welcome development.
“It should be seen as an opportunity for mass participation of students in the election because every student-voter would be encouraged to participate at their various polling units,” he said.
He enjoined parents and guidance to guide their children and wards accordingly, against moves by politicians who might want to exploit them for their selfish political interest.
According to Akinmurele, Nigerian youths must understand their critical role in the nation’s democracy and rise above being used as political thugs.
“In Democracy, the office of the citizens is the highest office and this is so because of the voting right.
“Nigerian youths have displayed capacity in Tech Start- ups, entertainment, sports, digital economy, etc. So, who says we are not capable of politics?
“Now is the time to prove our critics wrong and I want to advise that we should become the inspiration of our colleagues and the generation coming after us,” he said.
Akinmurele added: “As we go to the polls, we need to take ownership of Nigeria from our respective polling units.
“If we desire a better Nigeria, we must start from our polling unit no matter how insignificant it is.
“We need to stand up for the ideals of participatory democracy, reasoning over violence, service over selfishness”.
Speaking on the Federal Government Naira redesign, Akinmurele, said the policy is good, except the time of its implementation.
He said the feedback Diasporan Nigerians were getting over the policy implementation and the hardship being faced by Nigerians were worrisome and call for concerns.
Akinmurele expressed disapproval of the unprecedented queueing Nigerians had been subjected to as well as violent protests inside banking halls and in some cities.
“Mr Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) claimed that the naira redesign is to help security agencies fight banditry and insurgency.
“He said that the policy will help the country move toward a cashless policy, reduce inflation, eliminate corruption and reduce poverty.
“These points ordinarily ought to justify a need for currency redesign.
“However, the much that Nigerians have witnessed so far in the implementation, had clearly shown that it is either the policy was not well thought out or deliberately circumvented for whatever ulterior motive,” he said.
According to Akinmurele, currency redesigns, as it is done in other climes, should be seamless, economically enhancing and associated with ecstasy and national pride.
“Currency redesign is not a strange practice in almost every country of the world including the developed ones where it is a periodic exercise.
“For instance, the ascension of King Charles III as the Monarch of England may cause currency redesign in some Commonwealth countries.
“It is, therefore, expected that the Naira redesign policy should be a well thought-out exercise having in mind that the informal sector in Nigeria is significant.
“It ought to have been a well advocated and simplified exercise so as to be cleared of all manners of ambiguity, misinterpretation and political colouration,” he said
Akinmurele appealed to the government to rejig the implementation of the policy to make it easy for people to access. their money while calling for calm among the citizens.
