Cashless Wednesday

This Wednesday started out like any other, woke up early, rush out of bed, say my prayers, and rushed out to beat the extensive Lagos traffic. I woke up my ride mate and we left home at about 5:30 AM, I hate traffic, but after my driver left in December, I have been driving myself. How my driver left is a story for another day. We successfully wadded through the traffic, but midway I discovered I forgot to pick up the cash I left on the table. See what Lagos traffic can do? I muttered. My ride mate needs the cash to take a bus to his office after I drop him at the bus stop before my office, with the current cash wahala in Nigeria, how do I get cash to give him for his ride to his office? I looked out of my car the amber lights of several ATMs of the few banks that littered right and left of the popular Ademola Adetokumbo Street were blinking copiously but I knew they were all empty. My brain wondered in many directions, where would I get cash? Suddenly, a thought came upon me, yes! You can get some cash from your colleagues in the office. I prayed silently that I can find someone in the office so I can get some cash.

We finally drove into the street where my office is located, and the security man opened the gate I drove in still thinking about how to get cash. I got down from the car and dashed into the main entrance leading to my office. I looked around I did not see anyone that I could get some cash from, a few that I asked did not have any cash on them, and I muttered within me “This CBN cash redesign policy sef who he hep?”

As we sat down in the office, I tried to settle down to review and plan my work for the day. I read and replied to a few emails that came in the previous day. At about 7:10 AM, a colleague came into my office, after the morning pleasantries, I asked him the big question, “Do you have some cash on you?” He answered yes, he has a new One Thousand Naira note that his wife gave to him last week. He brought out the money from his bag, I quickly grabbed it and gave it to my ride mate. I could see the relief in his eyes, off he went with the money to catch the next bus to his office as he was already running late.  “This CBN Naira redesign “sef who he hep”?