Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has hailed the recently-introduced cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
To him, the policy will eliminate the influence of money politics in Nigeria.
Akpabio, who stated this when the Chairman of Committee of e-Banking Industry Heads, Mr. Chuks Iku, paid him a courtesy visit at the Governor’s Office, Uyo, noted: “Until money is eliminated from politics, it will still become a bit difficult. Our prayer is that one day, money will be totally eliminated from politics so that we can vote according to our conscience
“Is cashless policy in the interest of politics or should Nigeria have a cashless system? I know that the policy would discredit some politicians who induce electorate with cash to get their votes”.
He described e-banking “as a major innovation worldwide and still new in Nigeria because Nigeria still remains a major cash economy”.
“Coming on a retreat to the state will afford you the opportunity to lay the foundation for major e-revolution in the banking sector. If you really want to sit down and discuss the way forward, I think you should also go to a State that is taking the lead in transformational leadership,” he said.
Iku said the committee was holding a retreat in Akwa Ibom State to address issues bordering on electronic banking in Nigeria, observing that the choice of Akwa Ibom for the retreat was based on the prime role the State is playing in the advancement of technology and infrastructure.
Iku posited: “For us, Akwa Ibom represents e-business to an extent. We are aware that Akwa Ibom has a digitalized library and we are also aware that Akwa Ibom is currently undergoing biometric exercise for all civil servants in the State including SUBEB and local lovernments. Above all, we also know that in term of infrastructure, a lot is happens here. For us those are things that are own nation needs”.
