FROM JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE, ABUJA
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday formally unveiled the new N100 note to commemorate Nigeria’s centenary celebration at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Jonathan was joined by Vice President Namadi Sambo and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to unveil the note during the Federal Executive Council meeting in a very brief ceremony. Emefiele said the N100 note is to commemorate the 100 years of the nation’s amalgamation.
He listed some countries that had before now issued currencies to mark historical events to include Morocco, Russia and Costa Rica, among others, stressing that the new note was produced with the most advanced security features in the world.
Emefiele listed the design platforms on which the note was made to include security (resistance to counterfeiting), durability (tolerance to tropics), attractiveness for use in cash driven economy, cultural heritage (collective memorry of Nigeria) and transformation (is the first paper bank note).
Jonathan hailed the CBN for coming up with the commemorative note, though it was coming a bit late since activities marking the nation’s centenary had been concluded. He recalled that commemorative N50 notes were also introduced to mark the nation’s 50th independence anniversary.
Also speaking, Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, commended the CBN for coming up with the notes. She specifically lauded the QRC feature on the back of the note, saying it was a smart move that will interest the youths.
The code, if scanned with iPhones or iPads, leads users to a website where the nation’s history could be accessed. The minister also raised questions on the amount the CBN will use to print the new notes urging to explore whether it can be done locally.
Source : SunOnline