CBN Takes New Measures to Improve FX Liquidity Banks now to sell fx to customers and non-customers Kunle Aderinokun The Central Bank of Nigeria has rolled out fresh measures to improve foreign exchange liquidity and ensure that eligible travellers are able to access foreign
currency. A statement by the apex bank’s Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mr Isaac Okorafor, made available to THISDAY yesterday said all Deposit Money Banks had been mandated to buy and sell for-
eign currency to travellers (both customers and non-customers) upon presentation of relevant valid travel documents such as visa and tickets over the counter, adding, that all travellers would be attended to immediately at the bank’s counters.
“Any contravention will be sanctioned by the CBN,” he warned. According to him, “All BDCs shall henceforth access dollars from the CBN on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It is compulsory that all BDCs ac-
cess currency at least three times weekly. Any BDC that fails to access the FX window at least three times weekly shall have their license reviewed by the CBN. Compliance is Compulsory.” The new directive is in fur-
therance of the CBN’s series of measures at sustaining forex liquidity in the economy. For instance, the apex bank had some time ago in a bid to ease travelers’ burden directed banks to open outlets at major airports to sell forex.
FG Carries over N538bn Unspent 2017 Capital Vote to 2018 Budget ... Page 8 Sunday 27 May, 2018 Vol 23. No 8438
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Obasanjo, ADC, 30 other Parties in Alliance Deal Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC),
have said that they would unveil their plans to rescue Nigeria at a public event next month. Obasanjo had led prominent members of his political movement, Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM),
including former governors, Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Lagos and Osun states), and Donald Duke (Cross River State), to address a press conference in Abuja last week, saying that they had col-
lapsed their structures into ADC. The National Chairman of ADC, Okey Nwosu, who spoke in a telephone interview with THISDAY yesterday, said the party was adopting a three-pronged
approach of merger, alliance, and fusion with like-minded political parties and organisations to ensure that it secures victory at the 2019 polls. He said ADC was pursuing another alliance with
about 30 other registered political parties operating under the auspices of the Coalition for a New Nigeria (CNN). Cosntinued on page 8
Buhari Moves to Combat Violence against Children Saraki calls for release of Leah Sharibu, Chibok girls Deji Elumoye, Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja and Abimbola Akosile in Lagos As the world marks Children’s Day today, President Muhammadu Buhari last night in Abuja tasked the security operatives, families, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, and religious bodies to rise up against increasing violence against children. The president’s charge was preceded by a call by Senate President Bukola Saraki, who took the opportunity of the day’s celebrations to renew the widespread calls for the immediate release of the lone Dapchi schoolgirl, Leah Sharibu, and the remaining Chibok girls still being held in captivity by Boko Haram insurgents. In his Children’s Day speech made available to journalists late last night, Buhari said the increasing spate of violence against children was unacceptable and that decisive steps must be taken to ensure the protection of children in homes, schools, markets and worship centres. According to him, the federal government, in its own effort to protect children from abuse and exploitation, has directed
the management of all federal government schools to put in place adequate measures that will guarantee the security of their students. He also said various states of the federation and management of all public and private schools should put the machinery in place for the protection of students. Buhari advised parents to ensure that they send their children, especially the girl child, to school, observing that girl child education stems the tide of maternal mortality and child marriage. He further tasked security agents to increase their efforts towards the protection of children. "In our efforts to protect our children from abuse, exploitation and trafficking as well as provide safe, non-violent inclusive and effective learning environment in our schools, this administration has directed the management of all Federal Government Colleges and advised all state owned schools across the country to provide adequate measures of safety and security for their students,” he said. In his own goodwill message Continued on page 8
SELFIE AT TECH FOR GOOD SUMMIT… Chairman, Heirs Holdings Ltd, Mr. Tony Elumelu, and Facebook Incorporated Chief Executive, Mark Zuckerberg, during the Tech for Good summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris…recently
THISDAY Editorial Board Intervenes…Pages 77-84