Most of you my esteemed reader are conversant with this prompt: “Do not expose your banking details to third parties”. My position is informed by the fact that it is a common parlance in the banking sector; a popular advice of the banks to the banking public. I have always treated it as an instruction laced with a command, a law even. According to those that know better, the ideas behind the instruction are to:
- Protect and promote the customers Privacy Right
- Protect the customers Bank Account
These reasons are so vital and of huge interest to every bank customer. In terms of inclusive banking, I have always had my doubt, and therefore, was very curious and restless, however I was at a point convinced that inclusive banking will for a very long time remain a fluke in Nigeria, at best an oxymoron. I have always used every little opportunity I had to assert my position and state my reasons clearly.
My doubt was not erased, though some of the people I interacted with, mostly from the banking sector demonstrated courage and unwavering commitment, zeal and trust, and tried vigorously to prove the willingness of the Nigerian authorities to do the needful. They were purposeful in their bid to convince and sway me into believing that a surprise is possible. As an ardent follower of events with regard to the Persons-With-Disabilities, and a leading voice on radio on issues of inclusion in all ramifications, I could to a very large extent point out that Nigeria has never been really committed to pushing vigorously about the inclusion of the PWDs. This position of mine not withstanding, any positive statement in the direction of inclusion by authority figures in the land inspires and gladdens my heart, including positive vibrations about inclusive banking. If for no other thing, they at least arouse my interest and gave me hope.
I guess because I anxiously yearns for it, at a point I did not only desire but most time feel and behaved as if inclusive banking should feature prominently in all public discussions, so much so that in a funded entrepreneurship training I conducted at a time, I raised the issue of inclusion and wondered why the training materials were not PWDs friendly, especially for the visually impaired. A close acquaintance at a point drew my attention that I nag about issue of the PWDs.
The interest, mood and tempo of discussions and the enthusiasm of the discussants at a point left many of my type with no iota of doubt that something heartwarming was in the offing with regard to PWDs. I was almost chewed raw by those who felt I did not trust the system when some of the states did the unexpected by passing into law Acts that support the right of Persons-With-Disabilities (PWDs). This was taken to a crescendo when the federal law makers in Nigeria passed their own version of the bill, which was later signed into law by the President.
Four years after the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria enacted the “Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018” that was signed into law by the President, Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) embarked on redesigning of three out of the 8 denominations of the Nigerian currency, the Naira. Important to note in this regard, is the fact that the Prohibition Act of 2018, made Provision for full integration of the Persons-With-Disabilities (PWDs), in Nigeria. Many people profoundly gave a huge sigh of relieve, especially, the PWDs, their relations and loved ones: parents and friends, and others that have passion for them and deep interest in seeing them realize their God given talents. In essence such people had one way or the other felt that the time to position the PWDs effectively to achieve their dreams had come, when they got the cheering and heartwarming news of signing into law the Prohibition of Discrimination against the PWDs that among many other benefits will make the PWDs more productive, and put them in a position to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s growth and sustainable development. Such people must have reasoned, as at that time that inclusion, especially, of the Persons-With-Disabilities was a settled matter in Nigeria.
The PWDs Act of 2018, made Provisions for providing facilities and making the facilities accessible; as well as providing assistive services to this so long neglected segment of vulnerable Nigerians that desire like every other citizen, to live with their Rights protected and provisions exist in the law of the land that make it visible for them to be able to feign for themselves and their families, and contribute significantly in diverse ways to the collective aspirations of citizens to build a strong economy and position the country fundamentally on the path of massive growth and sustainable development.
In view of the foregoing, I invite my esteemed reader to journey with me, as I take a peep into the Naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria, to garner some insight with regard to how the Apex bank has accommodated the PWDs in terms of ensuring that their Rights, interest and concerns are taken into consideration and protected as envisaged by the PWDs Act of 2018.
My peep will also enable us to ascertain in practical terms the extent the CBN improved the situation of the PWDs and catching up with the requirements of the so long bandied about “inclusive banking”.
This peep is in keeping with our avowed commitment to promote the business activities of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria, and in tandem with our position that the PWDs are an integral part of the Nigerian society, a major one for that matter. We do this aware, in particular that many of the PWDs conduct their business activities at the level that they are classified as among the MSMEs.
The findings will enable us to collectively evaluate and understand the extent of protection or otherwise provided or extended to the PWDs. The findings will indeed assist us to understand the overall implications of such results to the business community, MSMEs in particular, and the Nigerian economy, in general.
To be continued…
Thanks for reading… please keep visiting and reading us, and living your comments, as well as invite other people to the platform.
Nnabugwu Chizoba
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