Nigeria’s informal sector, which accounts for around 80 percent of total jobs has been hit by a wave of resignations, as some workers are unable to afford the daily commute after a hike in fuel prices. Economists said a rise in unemployment could affect the country’s economy and security.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Video - Experts warn of rise in unemployment in Nigeria due to high fuel prices
Video - Nigeria hopes for better finish at U-17 Women's World Cup
The Flamingoes, who finished third in the last edition of the tournament in India in 2022, completed preparations for the upcoming competition in the Dominican Republic. The team is placed in Group alongside the hosts, Ecuador and New Zealand.
Binance exec and former U.S. agent Tigran Gambaryan denied bail by Nigeria
It has been almost eight months since Binance executive and former IRS agent, Tigran Gambaryan, has been wrongfully detained in Nigeria over a feud between the African nation and the world’s largest crypto exchange. In the latest blow to his fight for freedom, he was denied bail by a Nigerian judge on Friday despite his deteriorating health.
Gambaryan was jailed in February after visiting Nigeria to address allegations that Binance was undermining the local currency, which began to crash in May 2023. Economists have laid the blame for this on corruption and economic mismanagement by the country’s leaders—but, in what critics say is an effort to find a scapegoat, Nigerian officials arrested Gambaryan and another Binance executive and charged them with financial crimes.
Since his detention, Gambaryan’s condition has worsened significantly. He is now being held at Nigeria's notorious Kuje prison alongside members of the Boko Haram terrorist group and has been denied access to his legal team. Throughout his time in prison he has suffered from malaria, tonsillitis, pneumonia, and complications from a herniated disc in his back which requires “high-risk specialized surgery.”
While he sits in a cell thousands of miles away from his wife and children in Georgia, U.S. representatives and Binance executives have intensified calls for his release. His wife, Yuki Gambaryan, has continued to fight for his freedom since he was detained.
Following the hearing on Friday, a Binance spokesperson said in a statement, ”He has been unlawfully detained for over 220 days. Tigran did not go to Nigeria as a decision-maker and there is no good reason to continue to hold him. We are committed to working with the Nigerian government to resolve issues, but Tigran must be allowed to go home.”
While initially reluctant to get involved, U.S. officials began to advocate for Gambaryan’s release over the summer. Most recently, Rep. Rich McCormick (R-Ga.), a member of the Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees, called upon the U.S. State Department to take a stronger stance in talks with Nigeria. “All cards should be on the table. We should be putting enormous leverage against Nigeria until they release him or at least turn him over to the consulate to be treated fairly, he get an expedient case with a legitimate charge,” McCormick said on the Illicit Edge podcast.
In June, 16 bipartisan U.S. lawmakers sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging for Gambaryan to be released, while over 100 U.S. prosecutors and special agents sent a similar letter to the U.S. State Department. In the following weeks, Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.) and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) visited Gambaryan in the Nigerian prison. Also in June, Nigeria dropped some charges against Gambaryan after FBI director Christoper Wray visited the country on an unrelated matter.
Gambaryan’s ongoing detention came after the State Department negotiated the release of basketball player Brittany Griner and journalist Evan Gershkovich from Russia earlier this year. Both Americans had received a “wrongfully detained” designation, which made their release a top priority with a special agency within the State Department. Gambaryan has yet to receive that designation to the frustration of his family and others, likely because Nigeria is a nominal ally of the U.S.
By Catherine McGrath, Fortune
Related stories: US Urges Nigeria to release Binance executive as health worsens
Video - Detained Binance executive appears in court in Nigeria for tax, money laundry charges
Nigeria's state transmission company restoring power after grid collapse
The Transmission Company of Nigeria says it is working to restore power after blackouts engulfed the country following another collapse of the power grid on Monday night.
Power generation fell to zero and by Tuesday morning some plants in the capital Abuja and parts of the commercial city were coming online. Daily average supply has hovered around 4,500 megawatts in recent times until the sixth collapse this year.
Nigeria's grid has shut down due to aging power infrastructure, vandalism and inadequate gas supply for its thermal plants which accounts for over 75% of output.
Related story: Millions in Nigeria have little to no electricity. It’s straining businesses and public services
Monday, October 14, 2024
Nigeria soccer team boycotts Africa Cup qualifier after being stranded at Libya airport
Though authorities in Libya denied it was sabotage, the Confederation of African Football which organizes the competition said it will investigate the “disturbing and unacceptable experiences” of Nigeria.
The Super Eagles were scheduled to play the Group D game on Tuesday. Nigeria won 1-0 when the teams played on Friday, when similar accusations of sabotage from the Libya team came after they were delayed at a Nigerian airport.
Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong said the plane was due to land at Benghazi Airport but was diverted at the last minute to Al Abraq some 220 kilometers (130 miles) away.
“The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason,” Troost-Ekong said on X. “They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food or drink. All to play mind games. As the captain, together with the team, we have decided that we will not play this game.”
The Libyan Football Federation said it regretted the flight diversion, adding: “It is essential to note that such incidents can occur due to routine air traffic control protocols, security checks or logistical challenges that affect international air travel,” it said on X.
CAF said it referred the incident to its disciplinary board which will take “appropriate action against those who violated” its rules.
Pictures posted online by the players showed some of them lying on airport seats, their luggage beside them and with no other passengers in sight. By Monday morning, some of them were asleep.
Nigerian Football Federation spokesman Ademola Olajire said the team spent 19 hours at the Libyan airport and they were prevented from leaving the facility to board the buses that Nigerian officials eventually hired.
“At past midnight, it was learnt that there had been word from ‘higher authorities’ that the Nigeria delegation should be delayed for a minimum of 10 hours at the airport for what they falsely claimed was done to their team in Nigeria,” Olajire said without elaborating.
The Nigerian players and officials eventually resorted to games and music to play down their anger and frustration, he said.
Among the players in Nigeria’s squad were Ademola Lookman, who scored a hat trick for Atalanta in the Europa League final last season and is on the Ballon d’Or shortlist, and Victor Boniface, a striker for German champion Bayer Leverkusen.
English Premier League players Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Taiwo Awoniyi and Wilfred Ndidi were also in the team that beat Libya 1-0 on Friday.
The Libya team accused Nigeria of maltreatment ahead of the first leg, an allegation the Nigerian federation denied.
Libya captain Faisal Al-Badri said they were delayed “from one city to another” for three hours after their bags were searched, and before they were transported on a road trip to the city where the match was played. He had called for “reciprocity.”
Nigeria sports minister John Owan Enoh said he instructed the soccer federation to send a formal complaint to CAF. “This must be on record and thoroughly addressed,” he said in a statement.
By Chinedu Asasdu, AP
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