The Controversy Of Arabic Inscription On Naira Notes And Army Logo By Alkasim Abubakar

The widespreading and overwhelming argument is that the Arabic inscription on Naira notes and Army Logo is Unconstitutional and therefore null and void. The argument based from the facts that the Constitution Of The Federal Republic Nigeria 1999 as amended (to be referred as CFRN after now) which is our supreme decument and the validity scale of any law considers the country as a secular state and It moreover prohibites the Federal Government or any other state to adopt any religion as a state religion. The second base is Arabic language cannot be used for official activities.

For dissolution of these controversies this article will briefly address the following questions. Is the said Arabic inscription on Naira notes an Arabic language? Whether Section 55 of the Constitution is applicable to this Controversy. Is the Arabic inscription in Army Logo contravene the provision of section 10 of the CFRN.

First and foremost the Arabic inscription on Naira notes is not an Arabic language which a typical Arabian can read but he can’t understand It’s meaning. In facts it is Hausa Language written in Arabic alphabets similarly to how Hausa is now often written in English alphabets. It’s known as ‘Ajami’ or ‘Hausan Ajami’.

Toward the history it was the earliest way of writting and communicating in Hausa Language between the then Hausa Kingdoms and ordinary individuals for transactions or other day to day communications before the arrival of the British Colonial Masters who came with innovations and changes that adulterated the then known medium of communication.

The method is seems sabotaged but it is still alive however, because till now many people from the Northern part of the country who have not get the opportunity to have obtained modern education are still using Hausan Ajami and even the educated when communicating with the former class. So far without much ado the said Arabic inscription on Naira notes is not Arabic But Hausa Language; one of our three major languages.

It was argued that using the Arabic inscription is contrary to section 55 of the Constitution. But a careful perusal of the said section will connots that it’s application is only to the National Assembly(as NASS after now) as specifically mentioned therein. For the avoidance of daubt the section states;

The business of the National Assembly shall be conducted in English, and in Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba when adequate arrangements have been made therefor.

Moreover the NASS weren’t blessed with the power over Forming, designing, printing or denomination of our currency.
Section 18 (a) of the CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (ESTABLISHMENT) ACT 2017 (as the Act herein after) provides;
The Bank shall arrange for the printing of currency notes and the minting of coins;

Section 19 (1) a&b also provides;
(1)The Currency notes and coins issued by the Bank shall be-
(a) in such denominations of the Naira or fractions thereof as shall be approved by the President on the recommendation of the Board; and
(b) of such forms and designs and bear such devices as shall be approved by the President on the recommendation of the Board.

Section 20 sub (1) of the Act states;
The currency notes issued by the Bank shall be legal tender in Nigeria at their face value for the payment of any amount.

Putting all the foregoing section into consideration it is the CBN that has power of denominations, forms and designs money as shall be approved by the President on the recommendation of the Board and it is only the CBN that can issue Currency as a legal tender. It is therefore opined that the relied section 55 is inapplicable.

“Bank” used in the above sections means the Central Bank of Nigeria established as under Section 1(1) of the Act; while “Board’ means the Board of Directors of the Bank established as under section 6(1) of the Act; see section 60 of the Act.

The other angle of the contravercy is the Arabic inscription in the ARMY LOGO which contend to be in contradiction with section 10 of the CFRN. Thus;

The Government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt any religion as State Religion.
Unlike the Naira notes case this inscription is really Arabic language not Ajami read ‘Nasrul minallah’ means ‘victory/success comes from God. Nigerians are very religious both the Christians and Muslims believe that success comes from God. The pioneers kept to themselves the wisdom why it is in Arabic language rather than English. But the question is, it is really in contradiction with section 10 of the Constitution.

It is an axiom that Arabic is a Language not a religion knowing the fact it is widely used by Muslims as Islamic Language but the facts that there are many Arabians who are not Muslims is also undisputable.

Section 10 is a Prohibition for the adoption of religion not Language and it seems not applicable.

It is therefore submitted that the Arabic inscription in the Army Logo doesn’t contravane the Provision of the Constitution. It is also the opinion of the writer that section 55 of CFRN is applicable only to the NASS. it was also submitted that the Arabic inscription is not Arabic but Hausa put in Hausan Ajami for common man recognition because money as the Tennessee Supreme Court explained in Moses A Fountain v. George B. Hopson (1845); is a generic term and embraces every description of coin or bank notes recognize by common consent as representative of value in Effecting exchanges of property payment of debt.

ALKASIM ABUBAKAR (AAMG), Is an ABU ZARIA Law student Writes from Zaria.For corrections or observations he can be reached via; 08033131653 alkasima198@gmail.com