Together with his colleagues Saheed Osupa and Adewale Ayuba, Nigerian artist Wasiu Alabi, popularly known as Pasuma, has praised the recent action taken by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to enforce the prohibition on abusing the Naira.
Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, is a controversial crossdresser who was sentenced to six months in prison without the possibility of fines on Friday for misusing Naira.
Similar to this, famous bartender Pascal Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, was given N10 million in bail on Wednesday after entering a plea of “not guilty” to a charge of misusing Naira.
Pasuma insisted that the nation’s currency ought to be respected in an interview with Punch. He said that, even before to the EFCC’s latest crackdown, he had always disapproved of Naira abuse.
“I like to think that there’s a distinction between mutilating naira notes and pouring money on a singer,” he remarked. At festivities, we Africans have an ingrained custom of dousing musicians with money. In the meantime, mistreating or damaging currency involves trampling on it and flinging it around, which shortens its life.
I have never been a supporter of naira abuse, period. When people sling money around on my stage, it bothers me. It is an insult to both the artist and the actual cash.
When someone wants to show their appreciation for my work, they can place money in the box I have, as you can see if you see my stage presentations. And that was prior to the naira abuse campaign started. I think that is the right and respectful manner to treat the artiste and the Naira.
The ban on naira spraying has not significantly impacted the performances and earnings of Nigerian artists, including Osupa and Ayuba. Osupa stated that fans are now required to drop money in a box instead of spraying it, which has led to increased revenue for his crew. He attributed the increase in revenue to the new enforcement measures, which he believes has been a way to show off and avoid causing trouble.
Ayuba, on the other hand, defended the ban on naira spraying, stating that the issue is not about flinging money, but rather the handling of the currency. He argued that the government’s enforcement is not about preventing money laundering, but rather promoting respect for the currency as part of the nation’s identity. Both artists maintain that the ban on naira spraying has not negatively impacted their business or performances.
(Naijanews)
