Nigerian musicians support the EFCC's clampdown on spraying and naira mutilation

SEVERAL Nigerian musicians have applauded the recent move by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to enforce the ban on abuse of the naira by prosecuting anyone involved in spraying publicly.

Over recent weeks, the EFCC has clamped down hard on spraying and last Friday, controversial cross dresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, was sentenced to six months imprisonment without the option of fine for abusing the naira. Then on Wednesday, socialite Pascal Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, was charged and granted bail to the tune of N10m after he pleaded not guilty to abusing the naira.

Although many Nigerians believe that the ban on spraying money at parties will affect musicians, especially indigenous ones, some of the artists themselves have said it is a good development. For instance, Wasiu Alabi, popularly known as Pasuma, Saheed Osupa and Adewale Ayuba, all maintained that the country’s currency had to be respected.

Pasuma said: “I want to believe that there is a difference between spraying a musician money and mutilating naira notes. Spraying a musician money is an inseparable part of our African culture during celebrations but abuse or mutilation of currencies has to do with throwing money around and stepping on them, thus reducing their lifespan.

“Right from the onset, I have never been a fan of naira abuse. I don’t like it when people throw money around on my stage. It is a sign of disrespect to the artiste and the currency itself.

“If you watch my stage performances, you will see that I have a box where people put money when they want to appreciate my work and that was even before this naira abuse campaign started. I think that is the right and respectful manner to treat the artiste and the naira, so, the war against naira spraying has not affected my performances and earnings as a law-abiding citizen that I am.”

Osupa added: “People no longer spray money at my shows, they just drop money in a box that is provided on stage. So, I cannot say it has affected me badly. We still make money the way we made it before, the only difference is that people don’t spray the money again.

“Most people just use spraying money to show off. Many of them don’t really want to spray that money, they just want to spite some people. Also, there are times that those who spray money don’t really spend much, they just make it look as if they are spraying a lot. However, it is when they put money in the box that we actually make more money. Some people also make bank transfers.”

Ayuba said: “The problem with spraying money is the way some people handle the currency by flinging it, throwing it to a crowd, stepping on it and treating it like trash. That is ridiculous and I don’t support it. The new enforcement drive by the government won’t affect me because whenever I am performing, I have a box where people can put the money they want to spray me.

“What the government is saying is that people should not abuse our currency. They are not saying that people should not spend money on artistes but the government is only telling citizens to respect our currency because it is part of our identity as a nation.”