The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has said a cultural spirit inherent in the Yoruba people and Igbos makes them spray money without discretion at parties.
In a statement by his press secretary, Alli Ibrahim on Wedesday, the traditional ruler described the recent clampdown by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on people who abuse the naira as a misplaced priority.
Oluwo said the spirit of spraying money will be tamed if the authorities undertake a comprehensive enlightenment for Nigerians on naira handling before enforcing penalties.
He urged the EFCC to use the media to inform the genral public about the acts that constitute naira abuse and spell out penalties.
The statement reads: “The recent litigations by the EFCC against naira abuse is a misplaced priority. The practice of spraying money is more cultural for the Yorubas and Igbos. There is a cultural spirit in Yoruba that forces you to spend money uncontrollably at your exciting moment.
I’m sure the spirit will be tamed when people have public knowledge of possible penalties for naira abuse. The commission should not place the cart before the horse.
EFCC should use both print and electronic media to enlighten the public on those acts constituting naira abuse and spell out penalties. The public knowledge will unavoidably caution individuals and empower the commission to identify and punish arrogant naira abusers.”