Top officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have once again called on Nigerians to handle the Naira more carefully because the Naira is a symbol of the nation’s identity and pride.

Edward Adamu, CBN Deputy Governor, Corporate Services Directorate, said this on Tuesday in Abuja at CBN’s 2018 International Museum Day celebrations.

He explained that “the Naira as a symbol of our national pride should not be sprayed or step on, should not be squeezed, defaced or stained. The naira should not be sold or counterfeited.”

“Be a role model by neatly arranging the Naira in pouches, wallets or envelopes,” he said.

The Deputy Director, Currency Operations Department, Mr Vincent Wuranti, also said the way and manner people handled the Naira affected its life span.

He explained that a lot of effort was put into the design and production of the nation’s currency, hence the need to respect it.

According to him, the different banknotes feature portraits of Nigerian heroes, agriculture, solid minerals and other things that illustrate the Nigerian culture and economy.

He said that Section 21 of the CBN Act 2007 states that the abuse of Naira such as squeezing, staining, writing, spraying and illegal sales amongst others are punishable offences.

The act states that the offender must pay nothing less than N50, 000 or face a jail term of six months or both.

According to the law of Nigeria, Section 20 (4) of the CBN act 2007 provides penalty of not less than five years in jail for counterfeiting the Naira with no option of fine.