Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to extend the deadline for the use of the old naira notes, especially for those in rural areas.

Mr Ortom made his feelings known when the governing council and management of the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM) paid him a courtesy visit on Wednesday in Makurdi, the state capital.

“I join the National Assembly members to prevail on the CBN to extend the deadline of exchange of the old naira notes,” Mr Ortom said.

The governor said since the new notes were not much in circulation, it was not possible, especially for the rural dwellers, to meet up with the deadline, adding that most of them did not even have bank accounts.

“If we do not say it as it were, we are liars and sycophants. Things are not right in this country.

“We want to let the president know that people are suffering and something must be done to reduce it,” Mr Ortom said.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for heeding the demand of immortalising late Joseph Sarwuan Tarka by changing the name of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi to JOSTUM.

He, however, alleged that the host community of the school was shortchanged, adding that the money that was released for compensation did not get to them.

“So, relocation of the people to other areas became a problem. That is why they are still laying claims to the land.

“We have formed a committee and we will bring in the management of the school into it. This will enable us to see how we will have a win-win situation for both the host community and the institution,” Mr Ortom said.

Also, the chairperson of the council, Edith Uwajumogu, said she was grateful to God for making her the first female pro-chancellor of the university since its inception.

(NAN)