The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has said his regime remained committed to winning the war against terrorism and other forms of insecurity.
He added that his regime would stop at nothing to ensure citizens have a new Nigeria free from insecurity before bowing out of office.
The president spoke at the unveiling of locally produced 700 Ashok Leyland troops carrying vehicles in Abuja on Friday, March 3, 2023.
He, however, commended the military’s efforts at ensuring peace and stability in the country, promising that he would ensure their labour won’t go unrewarded.
Buhari said, “As a country, we are proud since the first seven years, we have been able to revitalise our armed forces for the protection of the Nigeria’s territorial integrity that was once violated by Boko Haram insurgency and other forms of criminality in the country.
“I commend the armed forces for their support and role played during the presidential and National Assembly elections. I want to assure you all, that your labour will not be in vain. My regime would continue to support you in every aspect including improving your welfare.
“Let me also assure Nigerians, the Federal Government remains steadfast and committed to winning the war against insurgency and other forms of criminalities. We will not relent until we have a new Nigeria that is free from the terrorism menace”
The Minister of Defence Major General, Bashir Magashi (retd.), said the process of transforming the armed forces had been difficult because of the security and economic challenges confronting the nation.
He said, “It is worthy of note that the process of transforming the Armed Forces of Nigeria over the years has not been easy given the numerous multi-dimensional security and economic challenges facing the country. Notwithstanding, the current administration has security as a priority in its agenda, hence the need to equip the Armed Forces with all necessary platforms to ensure peace and security in the country.”
According to him, the project was initiated by the Office of the National Security Adviser in 2014, adding that the delivery was delayed due to administrative errors.
He, however, said the vehicles would help improve the operational activities of the armed forces.
He said,” At this juncture, permit me to state that the complexity of crimes in various spheres of operation requires all actors both public and private to synergize efforts to safeguard the nation from every form of anti-establishment activities. It is therefore most pleasant to take delivery of these troops-carrying vehicles, especially at this period to facilitate the operational activities of the Armed Forces.”
It’s Final: ‘Old N200, N500, N1000 Naira Notes Have Ceased To Be Legal Tender’ – CBN Insists
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has declared that the old N200, N500 and N1000 have ceased being legal tender since February 10, 2023.
CBN had originally fixed January 31 as deadline for old notes to be in circulation but extended it in response to pressure from Nigerians.
However, before the February 10 deadline, Kogi, Kaduna and Zamfara States approached the Supreme Court, seeking that the CBN be restrained from going ahead with the deadline.
The Court answered their prayer and adjourned the case till February 15.
However, there has been silence on the part of the apex bank since the court gave its ruling.
The silence threw Nigerians into confusion on the state of the old notes, which were widely rejected but accepted in some places.
Commenting on the development in a chat with journalists, CBN Branch Controller in Bauchi, Haladu Idris Andaza, said the old notes were no longer legal tender.
“In the last 24 hours, we have been inundated by questions from various angles of the general public about our operational guidelines on the old currency notes, be that as it may, there are so many questions here and there which people have been asking about.”
“So for the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state categorically that CBN is ready and is opened to receive all of those old notes based on certain conditions and criteria. Customers are free to come to the Bank and deposit which they cannot do at the Commercial Banks anymore because the currency has seized to be a legal tender since the 10th of this month.
“Consequently, the management of the CBN decided that those customers will have a sigh of relief by coming to the offices of the CBN in all the 36 states in the Federation including FCT to deposit their money.
“The customer has to go to the CBN portal and fill a form in the portal, there will be a form there concerning this currency redesign and exchange. After filling the form, you generate a code, you either print it or come with it in your mobile phone, give us the code and the information contained therein. In the form, you are expected to provide all the basic information about yourself, your account details, and the amount you want to deposit.”
“By the time you have done it correctly, you come to the CBN where the code will be accepted from you as well as the money, process and confirm the genuineness or otherwise of the money to avoid receiving fake notes because there are some fake notes in circulation now.”
