Personality in Focus
Naira Scarcity: An Economic War on the Yoruba People by Prof Banji Akintoye
The Central Bank of Nigeria has declared that as of last Friday, 10th February 2023, the old naira notes will no longer be legal tender. Yet they have offered no assurance that they will meet the enormous demand for the redesigned currency. This is despite the Supreme Court ruling that CBN must allow the continuing circulation of the old naira note.
This change in currency has been implemented without consulting the relevant stakeholders to assess how it will affect the lives and livelihood of ordinary Nigerians. It raises the question of whose agenda the CBN Governor is following.
The inflexible application of this policy by CBN starves ordinary Nigerians of cash, preventing them from being able to carry out their daily activities. This has disproportionately disadvantaged the ethnic nationalities in the south of the country. Whilst strict adherence to the rules is encouraged across the South, the Northern leaders have already granted their people permission to continue using the decommissioned currency in contravention of the CBN.
We, the Yoruba people, are a people known for trade and commerce, a characteristic ingrained in our culture for many centuries, even before the British colonialisation. We must not allow ourselves to be subjugated by this policy designed to destroy our economy. Throughout the entire history of Nigeria and its component nations, there has never been a time when people are made to buy their own national currency in order to trade. In fact, nowhere else in the world would anyone be required to pay large sums of money in order to access cash that should be readily available to them through banks and point of sale (POS).
The denial of physical currency to our market women and traders is highly destructive to people’s life and well-being across Yorubaland, an outcome that would have been undeniably foreseen by those instating these regulations. We cannot accept the enforcement of a policy that has been this poorly thought through, a policy that will destroy our economy by starving our people of the cash they need to enable the free flow of trade.
The CBN’s demands to recall the old naira note will further impoverish our people who are already living below the poverty line every day, due to the Nigerian government. Therefore, there is no other alternative than to ask the Yoruba people to resist this destructive policy enacted by CBN. I plead with you, my people, for the sake of yourselves and your kinsfolk, continue to accept the old naira notes and, where possible, agree to accept alternative currencies such as the CFA in your everyday trade and commerce. In our unity, we are stronger; by standing together, we will outstay and overcome any powers that seek to oppress us.
The co-CEO of Samsung Electronics, Han Jong-Hee, has died of heart attack on Tuesday. He was aged 63.
A spokesperson for the South Korean tech giant confirmed this.
Han, who oversaw Samsung’s consumer electronics and mobile devices businesses became the Chief Executive Officer of South Korea’s biggest company in 2022.
He had joined the tech giant in 1988 after earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Inha University. Before he started to run Samsung’s electronics and devices division, he was in charge of the display operations.
In a tribute to the deceased, Samsung said Han dedicated more than 37 years of his life to leading Samsung’s TV business to become a global leader.
The company said, Han as the head of its electronics and appliances businesses, contributed to its growth amid challenging business environment.
Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom, His Eminence Dr Eberechukwu Oji, has felicitated Professor Ngozi Osarenren on the award of excellence bestowed on her by the University of Calabar (UNICAL).
UNICAL recently honoured Prof Osarenren, an expert in Career and Counselling, with the prestigious award of ‘Face of UNICAL @ 50’.
The award was given to Professor Orarenren in recognition of the contributions she has made in her chosen career both in Nigeria and abroad.
“We write to notify you of your nomination by the Central Planning Committee and UNICAL Alumni Association for the conferment of an award as the “Face of UNICAL @ 50” in commemoration of the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the University (1975-2025).
“In nominating you for this prestigious award, the University has considered your success in using the knowledge/skills acquired in the university in your chosen filed/professional career.
”The University also notes the worthy manner you have flown the flag of integrity for the University both in Nigeria and abroad; your past/future contributions to the development of your Alma mater (UNICAL) and your pride as an alumnus,” the institution wrote prior to the five-day ceremony, which started on March 17,2025,” the institution wrote, in notifying the award recipient.
In conveying his felicitations to Prof Osarenren, His Eminence, Eze Dr Eberechukwu Oji said:
“On behalf of my family and the good people of Arochukwu kingdom, I write to felicitate you and your family on the conferment of the prestigious award of FACE of UNICAL at 50, which was recently bestowed on you by your alma mater, the University of Calabar.
“The entire Arochukwu community rejoices with you on this well deserved award. The award is a testament of your commitment and untiring efforts in uplifting the educational standards in Nigeria, which has manifested in your sterling career at the University of Lagos where you currently hold sway in it’s Guidance and Counselling Department.
“Aro Kingdom is proud of you and we urge you to keep being a great ambassador of Arochukwu.
“Once again, congratulations Adaukwu,” His Eminence added.
Personality in Focus
Contributions of Late Basketball Star, Dikembe Mutombo, Take Centrestage on Glo-sponsored African Voices
CNN International’s magazine programme, African Voices Playmakers, this weekend highlights the contributions of Late Congolese-American National Basketball Association (NBA) Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo as a humanitarian icon and mentor of young basketball players on the continent. The programme is bankrolled by data solutions provider, Globacom.
Full name Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukaba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo, he was known simply by his moniker ‘Mount Mutombo’ because of his defensive dexterity. He was born on June 25, 1966, in the Democratic Republic of Congo and studied Medicine at Georgetown University in America. He, however, chose to follow his passion for basketball, playing for 18 remarkable seasons in the NBA.
Dikembe created the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation to improve the living condition of his folks in the DRC. Unfortunately, he lost his fierce battle with brain cancer in September, 2024 at the age of 58.
He however remains a beacon of light to youngsters of African descent on the pitch. This new generation of African basketball players who enjoyed his tutelage include his son, Ryan, his two nephews and other youngsters from the continent two of whom are rising NBA stars, Yves Missi and Josh Okogie.
Both 20-year-old Missi, a Cameroonian professional basketball player with the New Orleans Pelicans, and 26-year-old Nigerian-American shooting guard, Okojie, who plays for the Charlotte Hornets in the United States of America will talk about Dikembe’s influence and their successful careers so far in international basketball.
The 30-minute show will be on air on DSTV Channel 401 at 7.30 a.m. on Saturday with a repeat the same day at 11 a.m. On Sunday, other repeats will be broadcast at 3.30 a.m. and 6.p.m. and on Monday at 3.00 a.m. Further repeats come up at 7.30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Saturday next week; Sunday at 4.30 a.m. and 7 p.m. and on Monday at 4 a.m.
