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A former presidential aide, Reno Omokri has defended the practice of spraying money at parties, which the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently outlawed.
Omokri on his X page on Tuesday which has sparked controversy with a social media.
He argues that spraying money is a cherished cultural tradition, akin to plate-breaking in Greece or champagne spraying in Formula 1. He believes the CBN should prioritize eliminating “backward customs” like tribal marking before targeting spraying Naira.
While acknowledging the CBN’s concerns about maintaining the currency, Omokri proposes a novel solution: selling licenses to those who wish to spray money. This, he argues, would generate revenue for the CBN and cater to Nigerians’ desire to celebrate with “Olukumi Yoruba culture.”
Omokri warns that a complete ban would stifle the entertainment industry, as musicians would be less motivated to perform without the expectation of being sprayed with cash.
He suggests this could lead to a domino effect, negatively impacting party vendors, caterers, and the hospitality industry, ultimately shrinking Nigeria’s GDP.
Omokri concludes by emphasizing that the Naira should serve Nigerians and their cultural practices, not the other way around.
He urges the CBN to find a way for the currency to coexist with, and even support, Nigeria’s diverse cultural traditions.