News
Naira redesign: Retain Arabic inscription for brotherhood sake – Arewa youths, Adeyanju to CBN
The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has been called upon to retain the Arabic inscription on the redesigned naira notes.
Recall that the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele announced the redesigning of N100, N200, N500, and N1000 notes.
Emefiele said the redesigned naira notes would be released on December 5, 2022.
Following this announcement, the apex bank was asked by some Nigerians to expunge Arabic inscription from the new naira notes, stressing that it’s not Nigeria’s official language.
But, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) said Arabic inscription, also known as Ajami, should be retained on all naira denominations, stressing that the removal would provoke Muslims and cause division within the country.
Amid these controversies, a former CBN Governor, Mahammadu Sanusi had said the apex bank would not remove the Arabic inscription from the new naira notes.
Also speaking on the matter, the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, said the Arabic inscription should be retained in the spirit of brotherhood.
AYCF National President, Yerima Shettima told DAILY POST that most Northerners couldn’t read the English language, hence Ajami should be retained in the new naira denominations.
Shettima described those calling for Ajami to be expunged as religious bigots.
He said: “Most of our people in the North understand Arabic, so for us to move together and in the spirit of brotherhood, it’s not a bad idea to allow the inscription.
“Most of the people advocating for the removal of the inscription are ethnic bigots that create a story where there is no need for such.
“Over time, this inscription has been there and does not in any way imply an Islamization agenda; it’s just a figure, and I don’t know why this issue is coming up now.
“I don’t think it’s part of the government’s policy, but biased-minded people are thinking in that light. In the spirit of oneness and brotherhood, the inscription should remain.
“Personally, I have no problem because I can read, write, and understand any figure on the naira but most people in the Northern part of the country have issues understanding the other side of the naira. In the North, we have people who only understand Islamic knowledge, so to carry them along and make them feel they belong to the society, our forefathers initiated that.
“It was not initiated by a Muslim government but by a Nigerian Government from the onset.”
On his part, an Abuja-based public affairs commentator, Deji Adeyanju, however, wondered about the correlation between Nigeria and Arab that would warrant Arabic language on the country’s legal tender.
He said it would have been preferable that Nigerian language was inscribed on the naira instead of Arabic.
Adeyanju also noted that having Arabic inscription on the naira was not an issue.
He said: “I don’t think the debate around the Arabic inscription on the naira notes is a big deal because English is also a language.
“However, it would have been preferable if it was a Nigerian language that is on the naira instead of Arabic, because what is the correlation between Nigeria and Arab? Is Nigeria an Arab nation?
“I don’t understand the correlation between our legal tender and Arabic inscription, but it should not be a big thing that people begin to give religious connotations because it’s just a language after all.
“I think CBN should be looking towards having our local language on our legal tender,” Adeyanju told DAILY POST.
News
Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.
He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.
“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”
The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.
He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”
“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”
Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.
News
Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.
In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.
Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote
Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.
The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.
‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.
President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded
News
Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.
The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.
In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.
He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”
The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.
Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.
“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”
Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.
“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”
The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.
By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.
The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.
-
News1 day agoNo Solar Permits Needed For Private Homes In Lagos, SSA Confirms
-
News22 hours agoMass Burial For 30 ISWAP Insurgents Following Lethal NAF Strikes In Borno
-
News2 days agoCourt Sentences Dismissed NECO Employee To 24 Years Over Fake Diploma
-
News1 day agoLagos Sets Rules, Penalties For April 25 Sanitation Relaunch
-
News21 hours agoUnity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
-
Breaking News2 days agoTinubu Appoints New Ministers, Sacks Edun, Dangiwa In Minor Shake-Up
-
News16 hours agoOyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
-
News18 hours agoWale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
