TVC E. CBN governor, Godwin Emiefiele has sent a message to those who kidnapped his wife recently, saying he won’t be intimidated.
In a statement released to the media today, October 1. the CBN governor thanked God and President Muhammadu Buhari for the release of his wife. He vowed to continue serving the country “without any fear of intimidation”. He also praised security agencies for their gallantry in rescuing his wife within 24 hours in compliance with the directive of the president.
He also reserved praise for the governments of Edo and Delta as well as his family, friends and well wishers. Emiefiele’s CBN is under massive pressure and facing heavy criticisms from Nigerian business owners due to the scarcity of dollars in the country. The apex bank had devalued the naira in June, with the promise that the move will make dollars available for Nigerian businesses who need it for importation.
The currency has slumped 38 percent against the dollar since the central bank allowed it to trade freely in the inter-bank market on June 20, removing a currency peg that had deterred foreign investment and squeezed importers. Two months ago, Emiefiele and his deputy on economic policy, Dr Sarah Alade toured the U.S and U.K to seek for bond investors.
Both officials were said to have been disappointed as several investors in London told them there wasn’t enough liquidity in Nigeria’s foreign-exchange market for them to be comfortable buying naira bonds. Emefiele introduced the rules as part of a range of capital controls to protect the naira as the price of oil, which accounts for 90 percent of Nigeria’s export earnings and the bulk of government revenue, crashed.