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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike (13354 Views)
Pro-Biafra Supporter Buried With Biafran Flag In Abia (Photos) / Asari Dokubo Flaunts Allegiance With Biafran Struggle / Biafran Pounds Is Still In Use And Costs More Than Naira. (2) (3) (4)
I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by nigerdeltaa(m): 4:22pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
I TRADED WITH BIAFRAN POUND JUST "YESTERDAY". Biafran pound still being spent ... at Togo, Benin Republic border towns •. Naira sells for between N270 - N800 to Biafran £1 ***Gbenga Osinaike, just back from Togo and Ghana The currency spent in the defunct Republic of Biafra during the Nigerian civil war (1967-70), Biafran Pound, has surreptitiously crept into the currency market, serving as the legal tender in some communities along the West African coast. Investigations carried out by Sunday Punch showed that the money is being spent in the border town between Togo and Republic of Benin, while some currency hawkers also exchange it for the naira and other currencies in the border town between Ghana and Togo. One Biafran pound still bears the signature of Dr. Syvelster Ugo, the then Governor of the Central Bank of the defunct Biafran Republic and the picture of a palm tree. Its back has the coat of arms of the republic with the inscription: “peace, unity and freedom.” What is, however, baffling about the currency is that it has more value than the Nigerian naira and it is openly accepted as a legal tender in the affected communities. When Sunday Punch visited the Ghana and Togo border town, known as Aflo, some of the money vendors were eager to sell the currency. They, however, insisted on selling one Biafran pound at N800. The scenario at the Togo/Benin Republic border, known as Helakondi, was different as the vendors willingly sold one pound for between N200 and N270 to our correspondent. Some food vendors in Togo were telling passersby that they were willing to accept Biafran pounds. In Ghana, the vendors were discreet about the trade. One of them, who identified himself simply as Tony, told our correspondent that the money was not accepted as a legal tender in Ghana, but that Ghana was a transit route for the currency. He said: "We get the money from s! ome Igbo people in Nigeria. They bring it here for us and we cherish it so much. “That is why the value is higher than the Nigerian naira. This is the money that is being spent by some Igbo communities in Ivory Coast. Many of them are travellers. On their way to other parts of West Africa, they stop by and exchange the currency for the naira with them. They are the only people who buy the money from us." Tony, who said he had lived in Ghana for about 15 years, told us that some of the notes were just printed. "I think the Igbo are trying to make a statement with the money. It may surprise you that some of the people, who have the money, are not willing to sell it because they are looking forward to a time when the Biafran Republic will come to stay." While displaying some ignorance about the defunct Biafran Republic, he said: "I know they are about to create a Biafran Republic. I know it will not be long from now. We are all waiting to see the Republic." Another vendor, A Ghanaian, who identified himself as Albert Leigh, said the Biafran pound was brought by one Igbo man called Emeka. He said: "It is one Igbo man that brings the money here. Whenever he is travelling, he stops by and hands over the money to money changers. I was fortunate to be around the last time he came and also got my share. What surprises me is that many of the Igbo travellers come to ask of it. I had about 500 pounds with me. I have exchanged everything for naira. I'm now left with one pound. That is the extent the trade has gone." While disclosing that the Igbo trader brings the money from Lagos, he expressed regrets that he did not have enough to sell to this reporter. Leigh, however, refused to disclose the cost of procuring the Biafran pound. On Thursday morning when our reporter visited the Togo/Benin border, the trade in the Biafran currency was still going on.The vendors of the money were, however, agitated when o! ur correspondent made effort to inquire how they got the money. One of the vendors, who identified himself simply as Isa, a Malian, told Sunday Punch that he got the money from some Nigerians, who pass through the border. The following coversation took place between him and our reporter: How are you, sir? I’m fine. I get cefas, naira and pounds, which money you want? I want Biafran pounds. Do you have it? Yes, I get Biafran pound. It is 270 naira for one pound. You get plenty of the biafran pounds? I wan buy plenty. Sorry. I no get plenty. The man wen dey bring am never come for a long time now. Where you dey get the money? Why you dey ask? You wan to buy now? If I no wan buy, I no go come here? As I dey look you, you know be like person who wan buy. I wan buym true, true. I just wan to know the source of the money. I no know. No bi Nigerian mo! ney. I no understand you self. Why all these questions? At that point, the man became agitated and aggressive. He said: "Oya comot here! I go call police. Comot!" He pushed the reporter away and wanted to create a scene before the reporter quietly left the spot for fear of being molested. A Nigerian resident at the border warned this reporter not to disclose his identity, noting that they could take him for a spy. "Since the political crisis in the country, they have been sceptical about Nigerians. So, don't ever try telling them you are a journalist. Don't ever identify yourself to any of them, they could lynch you. Those of us here have been able to get along with them because we can speak the Togolese language. “The Malians have also been able to get along with them because they are the ones that you see in this currency business. There are some Igbo too, but they are very few compared to the Malians," he said. Efforts to ascertain the ! level of the acceptability of the currency yielded little fruits. This reporter was able to buy a CD cassette from one of the hawkers around the border with one biafran pound, which he had exchanged for naira. He was also able to exchange another 500 pounds for N250 per pound from another hawker of the money. There are indications that those who trade in the money don't know the implication of doing so. One of them told Sunday Punch that the money is a Nigerian money. "It is a Nigerian money. That is why I believe in the money. Nigerians brought the money here," he said. Investigations carried out by our correspondent revealed that the money found its way to the West Coast during the political crisis in Togo. A resident, who pleaded anonymity, told Sunday Punch that he was not aware of the money, but noted that the money was probably introduced during the Igbo Day last year in Togo. "During the Igbo Day, the Igbo came out with a publication known as Biafran Newspaper. Many of the Igbo resident in Togo bought the newspaper. = === Culled from Sunday Punch of June 05, 2005........ 14 Likes 1 Share |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by Trut(m): 4:27pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
Following... |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by meforyou1(m): 4:35pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
Wow, but that's fraud. Maybe they are collectors and speculators, but I don't like this. |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by petrov10: 4:37pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
Lol wahala dey |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by Nobody: 4:39pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
if u like trade with amodioha pounds, GEJ till buhari cures his cow flu in london 6 Likes |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by Nobody: 4:41pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
Make naija divide make we hear word from all dis a*bokiz 8 Likes 1 Share |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by Nobody: 4:41pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
When an Igboman want to do something he will do it and they dont take no prisoner. Achebe wrote "Igbos were able to wipe out their handicapp with one fantastic bust of energy, they fear no god or man, they are not hampered by traditional hierarchies like the Y-people or by wary religion like those terrotists overthere" 26 Likes |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by naijaking1: 4:44pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
Who's behind these Biafran notes? Maybe Boko Haram is using to finance their operation! |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by shineeye: 4:51pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
Biafran currency is getting stronger 17 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by purplesummer(f): 4:54pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
Igbo kwenu! 21 Likes 1 Share |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by Trailblazer1(m): 4:55pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
Interesting |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by WisdomFlakes: 4:58pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
How can our government claim not to be aware of this illegality? ? ? Do we even have a government? 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by Trailblazer1(m): 5:01pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
BuddahMonk: Respect to the Igbos Great people 20 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by Nobody: 5:04pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
Did any of you slowpokes read this? "During the Igbo Day, the Igbo came out with a publication known as Biafran Newspaper. Many of the Igbo resident in Togo bought the newspaper. = === Culled from Sunday Punch of June 05, 2005........ 7 Likes |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by Movesz(m): 5:04pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
Lol......All hails the biafran nation.... Nigeria will seize to exist come december 2015 so they said.... Am one Nigerian who loves history... I will like to tell someone a story about the great biafran nation... Lol.....who will be the biafran 1st president 6 Likes |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by WisdomFlakes: 5:10pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
Movesz: That is a piece of cake question to answer. The first President of the Resurrected Republic of Biafra will be Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan 3 Likes |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by Movesz(m): 5:15pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
WisdomFlakes: Lol... All hail biafra... Buh if GEJ be the 1st president of RRB/USB and last nigerian president.. Wha system of government will they practise Dictatorship 1 Like |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by knowledgeable: 5:20pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
nigerdeltaa: Still, Lagos is no man's land. Agbaje, GEJ till 2019!!!!! 2 Likes |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by nigerdeltaa(m): 5:20pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
sonOfLucifer:that was during obj's era. if obj couldn't stop them, nobody can. I heard the present exchange rates is about 686Naira per Biafran Pound 11 Likes |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by mcquin(m): 5:22pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
nigerdeltaa: So?? |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by WisdomFlakes: 5:24pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
Movesz: Another easy question to answer. Their preferred system of government will be a constitutional monarchy, thereby making GEJ the Authentic Eze Gburu gburu 1 of Ndigbo. He'll double as their king (a literal walking diety) and President. 1 Like |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by Movesz(m): 5:31pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
WisdomFlakes: good luck with that... So do you worship GEJ |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by Nobody: 5:39pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
Nigerians are blinded with fraud called "one" Nigeria! Biafrans are working quietly! Although the currency thing does not catch my fancy in anyway, (at least not yet), we shall continue the push for our freedom from "rod" Luggards slave camp called Nigeria! I have stated it loud and clear that we, the good peoples of Biafra have nothing in common with the Mohammedians Emirates of the North! Long Live Biafra! 12 Likes 1 Share |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by Nobody: 5:44pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
I believe in the Resurrected Republic of Biafra. I believe in the People's Republic of Oduduwa I believe in the Liberated Republic of Arewa ONE NIGERIA MY FOOT 11 Likes 1 Share |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by SporaD8: 6:07pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
interesting times are here! |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by Nobody: 6:16pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
This is very interesting and makes one proud. 5 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by Nobody: 6:19pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
noblezone: You see the problem here, why can't we appreciate things without attacking others? Why not allow things happen quietly? The same mistake ojukwu made, something ZIK was achieving tactically. 1 Like |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by Built2last: 6:29pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
Their silence is actually worrisome... |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by Nobody: 6:29pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
Super story |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by chumakk: 6:32pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
why live in an imaginative world? |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by biafranqueen: 6:36pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
What you don't seem to understand that currently Anaedo is trading in Naira, Pounds, Dollars, etc; Biafra is an underground development movement that starts with manufacturing and creating jobs in Igboland! Now we are developing and will soon turn Igboland into the next Dubai! We never waited for Government help but now that we have it we will utilize it to the fullest! GEJ until 2019! Anaedo 4Life!!! 7 Likes |
Re: I Traded With Biafran Pounds Just Yesterday- Gbenga Osinaike by Nobody: 6:39pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
This is very interesting... |
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