Anyebe Victor, Abuja
As Nigerians continues to battle with frustrating challenges faced with the scarcity of the new Naira notes, Nigerian churches are not exempted in this anomaly as it has drastically affected their tithes and offerings.
It would be recall that the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele assured Nigerians that the CBN and other government agencies are working tooth and nail to ensure the availability of the new notes.
According to a statement, he said
“Let’s me assure all Nigerians that the CBN is working with the Deposit Money Banks and other very important stakeholders such as EFCC, ICPC and Nigerian Financial Intelligent Unit (NFIU) are working together to ensure that the ultimate goal, which is to deliver to all Nigerians, a new currency that meets the global standard is achieved.
“Fellow Nigerians, The CBN is aware of the difficulty being faced by Nigerians in accessing the new currency at this stage of its issue and circulation but wishes to plead with all to please show some understanding as everything is being done to correct some of the observed lapsed in the implementation of this ambitious program”.
The above statement by the CBN governor has not really calm the tension as it has brought more challenges to some pastors and church members/workers.
Recently, a Pastor in one of the fast growing pentecostal churches announced that the old notes would no longer be accepted the coming Sunday, the announcement was met with a lot of jeers and murmuring amongst members complaining how the new get the new notes would be made available.
Also, A leading Pentecostal Church, Deeper Life Ministry, in a memo directed its church leaders to stop the collection of the old Naira notes on February 5 2023, about 5 days before the February 10 deadline set by the CBN.
Also, investigations revealed that some of the Provinces of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has directed members to deposit old notes in their banks by January 26, about five days to the earlier deadline date set by the CBN.
This, it was said would help to avoid a situation where members would have no choice but to use the old notes as Offerings and Tithes in the church.
The ripple effect of this could be seen in the low turn out of members to church services.
Attendance has drastically reduced in most churches as many have difficulty in accessing the new notes, many believe staying at home would save them the embarrassment of not giving offering rather than giving old Naira notes.
To mitigate the situation, many members met church ushers and admins for cash after church services with promises to transfer in return.
Some Pastor are now seen complaining to fellow ministers of how low the Offerings and tithes was after service.
Unlike before, nobody can even meet pastor to say “God bless you” with an envelope. Many would have resolved to using cashless policy but 95% of our banks this days have issues.
Either their money is hanging after a transaction for days or they cannot even access their bank network.
“One of the church Admins who preferred anonymity disclosed that what was generated from Tithes and offerings of first Sunday of January was way higher compared to what was gotten from last Sunday which was the same first Sunday service of the month. The percentage according to her was from 100%-60%. 40% difference is really massive”
With this foregoing, some pastors are helpless, others are encouraging with scriptures while others go the extra mile to assist members with cash and foods.
According to report, the General Overseer of Shekinna Arena Ministry, Evang. Dr. Gospel Agochuckwu JP surprised his members with tubers of Yam and new Naira notes.
As the challenges rages on in Nigeria, all that the church can do is “pray” things change soon and normalcy returns to Nigeria and the Body of Christ in this scarcity of the New Naira Notes in Nigeria.