In a bid to promote the use of the eNaira in carrying out transactions in the state, the Central Bank of Nigeria has launched a sensitisation fair for residents from across the 13 Local Government Areas of Nasarawa state.
eNaira is a Central Bank of Nigeria-issued digital currency that provides a unique form of money denominated in Naira. It serves as both a medium of exchange and a store of value, and offers better payment prospects in retail transactions when compared to cash payments.
Speaking while launching the 2-day fair in Lafia on Thursday, the CBN Director of Corporate Communications, Osita Nwanisobi, said the sensitisation programme tagged ‘Promoting Financial Stability And Economic Development’, was to educate residents of the state on Interventions, Policies and Programmes of the CBN and to encourage them to start using the eNaira for financial transactions.
He mentioned the interventions to include Anchor Borrowers Programme, Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme, Solar Energy Interventions, Family House Ownership Scheme, Programmes for MSMEs, Health, Manufacturing, among others.
He said, “This CBN sensitisation fair is all about talking to the people and letting them know about our policies and programmes. It is also to hear from them on how they feel about these policies and how commercial banks treat them, to enable us proffer solutions to their challenges.
“Another reason for the fair is to encourage them to start using the eNaira, which is the Central Bank Digital Currency. If you look at what is happening across the world, you will observe that the economy is being digitalized and so, for us in Nigeria, we need to keep pace with technology.
“The eNaira is the same thing with the naira that all Nigerians use. It does the same work as the naira and it is acceptable everywhere, so before the end of the programme, we hope to onboard many residents of the state who are yet to download the eNaira wallet.”
One of the beneficiaries of the CBN’s intervention programmes who spoke on behalf of the others, Danlami John, thanked the Apex Bank for implementing policies aimed at lifting the less-privileged citizens from the shackles of poverty, and promised to utilise the knowledge gained from the sensitisation fair to advance their businesses.