New N100 Note: Presidency Replies MURIC, Says Comments On Zionism Promotion Is Unfounded

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Tuesday, November 25th, 2014

By Niyi Adeyi

The Presidency has described as “spurious and unfounded” allegations Sunday, by a vocal and Non Governmental organization religion group, Muslims’ Right Concern (MURIC) that the Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is using the highest office in the country to promote Zionism and the state of Israel.

In a press statement from the State House, FCT Abuja, the Presidency which also denied yet another allegation by the group over marginalization of Muslims in the recently concluded 2014 National Conference, stated the symbol MURIC Director, Professor Lakin Akintola was referring to, as the Star of David could not be found on the widely publicized specimen of the new 100 Naira commemorative note.

Instead, the statement indicated the symbol “erroneously” mistaken as a Jewish symbol was a spark security feature which was an “optical magnetic feature that enables the public to determine if a currency note is genuine or counterfeit”.

The Presidency insisted that design of the spark security feature on the new N100 note was not in any way associated with Israel or Zionism, rather, was two squares merged into one with a Manila briquet, which was a symbol of the cowrie money used during the colonial era.

“The value of the new N100 note is written in the three major Nigerian languages – Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa. No attempt whatsoever has been made to use the N100 note to discriminate against any group of Nigerians” stressed the statement.

Describing the marginalization allegation as untrue, the Presidency, posited that the exercise was applauded by many Nigerians, purposeful where a “lot of maturity was displayed” and at which religion never became a big issue.

It also considered allegation of President Jonathan’s security as being saturated with Israeli security operatives as a “blatant lie”, denying that no Israeli security men in Aso Rock.

Professor Akintola was therefore challenged to pay a visit to the Presidential Villa and confirm that the President did not keep foreign security operatives but only Nigerian security men in the Villa.

The State House’s statement pointed out that It was unfortunate that “such divisive falsehoods could have emanated from a supposedly knowledgeable man like Prof. Akintola” hence demand for an unreserved apology from him for the “very unwarranted attempt to cause disaffection against President Jonathan amongst a major religious group in the country”.

MURIC has been critical of the present administration, especially on the five years old insurgency, Muslim rights and corruption in particular, the alleged $9.3 and $5.7 Million foiled arms deal by the Federal government in South Africa. Its latest statement was issued Sunday and was reported by AFRICAN EXAMINER yesterday – Monday.