Nigeria Roundup: Safety, protests, investment rankings
Ex-Nigerian Olympian wins silver medal
Annette Echikunwoke, a former Nigerian Olympian, won a silver medal for the US in the Paris Olympics. This comes as Nigeria struggles to win any medals. Echikunwoke's success follows her disqualification from the Tokyo Olympics. She switched allegiance to the US and has now become one of their top hammer throwers. Meanwhile, Nigerian athlete Tobi Amusan has qualified for the semi-finals in the women's 100m hurdles. A former Super Eagles Coach criticised Nigeria's poor performance, attributing it to administrative issues in sports, Daily Trust reports.
Polish nationals arrested in Nigeria
Nigeria has arrested seven Polish nationals for raising Russian flags during anti-government protests in the northern state of Kano. The protests are in response to economic reforms by President Bola Tinubu. Arabnews reports that concerns about increased Russian activity in western Africa have been raised, as protesters were seen waving Russian flags in northern states. Nigeria's Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa has called the brandishing of a foreign flag during protests a "treasonable offence." The Russian embassy in Nigeria denied any involvement.
Nigerians' safety amidst UK protests
British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Mongomery, assured Nigerians in the UK of their safety following recent protests. According to the Premium Times, the UK government is working to restore calm and has set up special courts to address the criminal acts. No Nigerians have been affected by the disorder so far, and the Nigerian government advises caution. The UK remains open to people of different nationalities.
Nigerians killed in anti-government protests
Amnesty International reports that 21 were killed in Nigeria protests against government policies and the high cost of living. Security forces were accused of shooting and using tear gas on demonstrators. Protests sparked by economic hardship and reforms by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Movement, #EndbadGovernanceinNigeria, called for reduced fuel prices and government action on the cost of living crisis, Khaleej Times reports.
Nigeria ranks high in investment ranking
A new report ranks Nigeria 9th in the top 10 most promising African countries for investment. The report highlights Nigeria's massive GDP and population but notes limitations such as its heavy reliance on oil exports and political complexities. The report also emphasizes the potential rewards for successful investors in Nigeria. Guardian Nigeria reports that the top 10 most promising countries for investment also include Seychelles, Mauritius, Egypt, and South Africa, with the report showing the different investment opportunities across the African continent.
