Residents of Jalingo in Taraba State, have commended the judiciary over its ruling on the extension of the validity of old naira notes.

Those who spoke to our reporter in the state capital also appreciated the federal government and the Central Bank of Nigeria for complying with the court judgment. 

Our Correspondent who monitored some ATM points of various commercial banks within Jalingo reported that many people were excited after withdrawing the amount they wanted from an ATM at one of the commercial banks along Hamman Ruwa way in Jalingo.

Most of the ATM points he visited were dispensing cash to customers and the queue had reduced drastically as confirmed by Hasana W. Yohana, Sister Ada, and Douglas Jonah who patronized the banks.

They also expressed hope that the incoming administration of Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu will provide more dividends of democracy to Nigerians and make the nation a better place to live in.

However, some water vendors “known as Mai rule”, mobile tailors known as “patchers”, and fruit sellers all in an interview described the current situation as much appreciable as now they are getting cash from customers. 

Recalled that before the supreme court judgment, many Nigerians including the people of Taraba State lamented the ripple effect of the cash crunch on their businesses and day-to-day activities.

Also recalled that the supreme court had on Friday the 3rd March 2023 extended the validity of old two hundred, five hundred, and one thousand naira notes till 31st December 2023.

Meanwhile, there is no doubt that the directive by the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele that the banks should comply with the court’s order is yielding a positive result in making life easier for Nigerians.

It is, however, worth mentioning that the judiciary is proving to Nigerians that it remains the last hope of the common man.

The Federal Radio Corporation Of Nigeria, FRCN, has pledged continued partnership with Dangote Group and other Corporate Organizations in the Country towards achieving set goals.

The Zonal Director, North Central Zone of FRCN, Alhaji Haruna Idris stated this at the presentation of cheque as part of Dangote Cements support towards the relocation of the transmitter hall of Radio Nigeria Prime FM station in Lokoja to Mount Patti.

Represented by the General Manager of the Station, Alhaji Adeiza Momoh Jimoh, the Zonal Director, expressed appreciation to Dangote Cement PLC, Obajana, Kogi State for the fulfilment of its pledge to the Station.

According to him, Radio Nigeria is poised in its obligations to partner with individuals, organizations, as well as government entities to fulfil its mandate of educating, entertaining and enlightenment.

In a remark, the Plant Director of the company at Obajana, Mr JV Gungune said Dangote was into many sectors of the economy to make life more meaningful for Nigerians.

He said Dangote company through its Corporate Social Responsibility schemes had invested in many sectors of the Nigerian economy by empowering different people.

He promised that the Company would continue to partner with Radio Nigeria to inform the public of more opportunities available in Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant.

It would be recalled that Radio Nigeria Prime FM Station, Lokoja, held a programme last year in its quest to relocate to Mount Patti for a better signal and coverage of Kogi State and beyond.

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has commenced a 5-day training on shoe and bag making for 20 women in Bauchi state.

Speaking during the commencement of the training in Bauchi on Tuesday, the Director General of NDE, Malam Nuhu Fikpo, said that the training was holding simultaneously across 19 Northern states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Represented by the Bauchi state Coordinator of NDE, Mr Lawan Yaya, the DG said that 740 women had been selected nationwide with 20 women per state.

He called on the beneficiaries of the training to listen attentively to their trainers and practice whatever they were being taught at home.

“Do not let your domestic duties serve as a distraction to you, create time to practice, as practice makes perfection.

“Ultimately, it is my desire that you become self-employed and thereby increase the wealth and dignity of your family,” he said.

He explained that the NDE is one of the foremost federal government agencies with the mission to design and implement job creation programmes that would promote attitudinal change, employment generation, reduce poverty and enhance wealth creation, hence the training.

Also, Ms Chikodi Ike, Head of Department (HOD), Small Scale Enterprises, NDE headquarters, said that the training was designed to generate employment, create wealth and self- employment, especially among unskilled women as unemployment has become a national problem.

Represented by Ms Justina Akoji, Principal Enterprise Development Officer(PEDO) NDE, Ike explained that the beneficiaries would be given as much as N20,000 loan each as starter packs after the training.

“It is for this purpose that this training is being conducted to empower you with both skills and funds to commence your own enterprise with ease.

“At this juncture, I wish to inform you that this five-day training will be conducted by skillful professionals who will train you on the rudiments of making shoes and bags.

“The techniques may seem difficult but as you practice, you will be able to grasp and come up with unique styles and designs for the products you will make.

“Therefore, be confident in yourself that you will soon become an expert in this skill and in the near future, you will be one of our trainers.

“Ask all necessary questions as your Trainers may not be easily available after this training,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Hajiya Mariam Ibrahim, appreciated the NDE for the initiative and promised to make effective use of the knowledge gathered so as to become employers of labour.