Beggars in Kaduna exercise choice as they reject old naira notes
There was a mild drama at the popular Kano-road, Kaduna after some group of beggars, rejected old 1,000 naira notes gifted to them by a good Samaritan.
According to reports the incident happened early hours of today, Wednesday, January 25, 2023.
An eyewitness described how a young man was approached by three beggars on wheelchairs as he alighted from a bus. Upon realizing that they were seeking donations, the man pulled a N1,000 bill from his wallet and extended it toward the beggar who was the oldest of the three.
But in an amusing response, the beggars turned their wheelchairs around, glanced at themselves, and moved away from the young man, turning down his offer.
Speaking to onlookers, the young man who identified himself as Caleb, said “they (beggars), came to me, asking for alms. I gave them what I had on me but they rejected it.”
The young man explained that he only had the old currency notes and have not been able to get the new ones despite his efforts.
In a related development, traders in Kwara State have refused to accept the old currency notes.
Findings revealed that numerous fish and meat sellers are the ones particularly hard struck by this mess.
A pepper soup seller, who simply gave her name as Wunmi, told our correspondent from Thursday January 26th, she would accept cash of old naira notes from her customers.
She added: “From Thursday any customer that does not have new currency can do electronic payment.”
According to an investigation,the Abubakar Olusola Saraki Abattoir in Akerebiata, Ilorin, reportedly turned away some meat sellers on Tuesday because they did not have the new naira notes.
A retail meat seller, Yetunde, said she went to the abattoir on Tuesday but could not purchase meat because of her inability to present new notes.
I was at the abattoir on the fateful day but I did not get meat to buy. As sellers from far north refuseyto accept the old naira notes ans my customer did not have cows to slaughter. Only butchers that have cows in stock are the ones selling to us. I have not been able to supply meat to my customers since Tuesday this week,” Yetunde added.
Same thing goes for Dupe Imam, a fish sellers. She narrated the ordeal of her colleagues in the hands of suppliers at Gbugbu Market, Edu local government area.
“Today (Wednesday) is the Gbugbu Market day. But unfortunately, many of us did not go as the sellers would not accept old naira notes.
“Many of our customers who are predominantly Nupe do not have bank accounts so without new notes they would sell their fish to you,” she added.
