Lokoja
Some bank customers in Lokoja have heeded to the advice by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to adopt alternative method of payment methods such as electronic transfers to check the spread of Covid19.
Investigation by Duaglobalnews correspondent in some banks in lokoja on Tuesday, showed that shortly after the CBN Director of Corporate Communications, Mr Isaac Okoroafor, gave the advice and filtered into public domain, many of the customers started adhering to Okoroafo’s urge in their banking transactions.
A visit to four banks in lokoja showed rather a thin population of customers lodging money in their accounts physically but the situation at ATM was not much different.
Messrs Olajide Adewumi, Johnson Adinoyi, Muhammad Abdullahi, Oricha Yukuba Agnes Alabi among other members of the public who spoke to Duaglobalnews commended CBN for the timely advice.
Immediately I got the information from the media, I attach much importance to it and do less of handling physical cash in my transfers.
I am more of electronic monetary transfer, now adays as away of guarding against coronavirus,” Adinoyi said.
In his advice, the apex bank’s image maker reminded the public that touching a surface or object that had the virus as well touching one’s mouth, nose or possibly the eyes were some of the ways people could contact the disease that had no vaccine and cure for now.
In the said media report, Okoroafo said: “In times like this, it is advisable for Nigerians to adopt alternative payment methods such as electronic transfers, internet banking, USSD, etc, to avoid the disease – Covid-19.
“The Naira note is one surface that people touch every day. It will be wise for us to wash hands after handling money, especially if you are eating or touching food.” he said.
Okoroafor said the well developed alternative payment methods, beyond health awareness, had some benefits such as efficient and capable of minimising liquidity, settlement, systemic credit and operational risks inherent in financial transactions.
“It is secured, reliable, accessible, prompt and cost effective to meet all users’ needs. Nigerians should use it.’’
He, however, warned the public against stepping on, squeezing, defacing or staining the naira notes, adding that they should not be sold or counterfeited.
Duaglobalnews further reports that convid19, a new health problem, discovered in Wuhan, China toward the end of 2019, has not registered presence in kogi state.
It, however, done in over 80 countries, killed over 4,000 people and recorded over 64,000 cases, including two from Nigeria.
