Easter: FCT residents thank God for surviving cash crunch
A number of inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have utilized the Easter occasion to express gratitude to God for enduring the financial turmoil triggered by the Naira redesign initiative.
The individuals, in a discussion with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, expressed their thankfulness to God for being alive to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
They mentioned that the interval from January to March was agonizing due to the scarcity of Naira.
Mrs. Elizabeth Joseph, an entrepreneur and mother of four, termed it a “testimony” that her family managed to survive that period.
“My husband and I are entrepreneurs, and I can say we are relatively secure.
“Nevertheless, the Naira scarcity devastated us to the extent that affording three meals a day became a challenge, not because we lacked funds.
“We were unable to access funds for many essentials, forcing us to ration our meals,” she recounted.
Mr. Godswill Adah, a civil servant, described the severity of the hardship he faced during that time as unimaginable.
He stated that he nearly lost his elderly mother, who was unwell during the period, due to Naira scarcity.
Adah further mentioned that commuting to his workplace was difficult because he “couldn’t obtain cash for transportation costs.”
He acknowledged that while Nigerians still faced some difficulties in accessing liquid cash, the situation had improved compared to January and March.
“I resorted to asking for help just to gather as little as N500 to cover my fare to the office.
“I am grateful for the decision made by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to reintroduce the old notes into circulation.
“I can only imagine what our situation would have been had that decision not been executed.”
Mrs. Eucharia Njoku, a retiree, suggested that the government should implement measures to avert a recurrence of these hardships following the Dec. 31 deadline for old notes.
“I suffer from hypertension and it was far from amusing.
“It’s not that I lacked funds, but rather I was unable to access my money.
“My Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card expired, and I couldn’t wait in line to withdraw cash because of the stress,” she explained.
NAN reports that Easter, also known as Resurrection Sunday, commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
It is preceded by 40 days of fasting and prayer, which begins on Ash Wednesday.
During this time, people, particularly those of the Christian faith, participate in fasting and prayer, charitable giving, penance, and abstinence.
Key events leading up to Easter include the commemoration of Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem and the passion of Christ, observed on Good Friday, among other activities.
Apart from the spiritual advantages, individuals frequently utilize the Easter period to connect with family and friends, as well as to exchange gifts. (NAN)
