Nigeria to send first citizen to space

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June 20, 2024
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5 min read
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Bonjour,

Victoria from Techpoint here,

Here's what I've got for you today:

  • Nigeria to send first citizen to space
  • 7 key questions on Zone's blockchain PoS payment gateway
  • Court dismisses Binance executive's suit
  • Uber, Bolt drivers demand Lagos ride-hailing regulation

Nigeria to send first citizen to space

satellite

Nigeria is set to send its first citizen to space thanks to a new partnership between the Space Exploration & Research Agency (SERA) and the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA). 

SERA will fund a seat on an upcoming Blue Origin flight for a Nigerian aged 18 and up, aiming to diversify the space exploration field.

This partnership is part of a broader initiative with Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin to send individuals from underrepresented nations into space. In 2022, this initiative sent Victor Hespanha, a Brazilian engineer, to space. 

SERA's co-founder, Joshua Skurla, highlighted Nigeria's rich history of scientific innovation and expressed excitement about creating new opportunities for Nigerian space explorers.

Nigeria has long been ambitious about space exploration. The country launched its first satellite in 2003 and has launched five more. In 2016, Nigeria set a goal to send its first astronaut to space by 2030. This new partnership marks a significant milestone in those efforts.

Nigeria's Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Godfrey Nnaji, expressed delight at the partnership, emphasising that human spaceflight is a strategic goal for the country. Signing the MoU, he highlighted the importance of this collaboration for Nigeria's space ambitions.

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7 key questions on Zone's blockchain PoS payment gateway

Left to right: Wale Onawunmi (Co-Founder & CTO Zone) Obi Emetarom ( Co-Founder & CEO Zone)
Left to right: Wale Onawunmi (Co-Founder & CTO Zone) Obi Emetarom ( Co-Founder & CEO Zone)

On June 5, 2024, Zone launched what they’re calling Africa's first decentralised PoS payment gateway. Built on Zone's blockchain network, it promises fast, smooth payments with fewer chargebacks and fraud.

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But with this launch, a lot of questions popped up: What exactly is a PoS payment gateway? How is a decentralised one different from a regular one?

Zone’s CEO, Obi Emetarom, and a fintech insider break it down for us.

First off, what do PoS payment gateways do? Emetarom says a PoS payment gateway connects a cardholder's bank to the PoS provider's bank, facilitating the transaction. 

Think of it like a matchmaker. For example, if you have a Guaranty Trust Bank card and you’re making a payment on a FirstBank PoS, the gateway debits your bank and sends the money to the merchant's FirstBank account.

Interestingly, someone working at a big Nigerian fintech mentioned that a PoS payment gateway is just another name for a payment switch, acting as an intermediary to route and process payments between customers of different banks.

If you want to know more about how Zone's decentralised PoS payment gateway stands out, why it's better, and how it can do same-day settlement, check out Bolu's story here.


High court dismisses Binance executive's suit

A portrait of Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance employee detained in Nigeria
Nadeem Anjarwalla

The Federal High Court in Abuja has thrown out Binance executive Nadeem Anjarwalla's lawsuit against the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). 

The dismissal happened because Anjarwalla didn't have a lawyer present during the proceedings.

Anjarwalla had sued the NSA and the EFCC, claiming they violated his rights by detaining him and seizing his travel documents, referring to specific sections of the 1999 Constitution. 

His colleague, Tigran Gambaryan, also filed a similar suit. However, Anjarwalla’s lawyer, T.J. Krukrubo, withdrew from the case in March 2024 without explaining why.

Anjarwalla escaped custody despite his travel documents being seized, while Gambaryan remained detained in Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja. Anjarwalla was later reportedly seen in Kenya, though his wife and some officials denied these reports. Due to the lack of legal representation, the court dismissed his case for lack of diligent prosecution.

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Gambaryan’s case is still ongoing, with a hearing scheduled for July 9, 2024.

In another matter, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) dropped Gambaryan and Anjarwalla as defendants in a tax evasion lawsuit against Binance, leaving Binance as the only defendant.


Uber, Bolt drivers demand Lagos ride-hailing regulation

Bolt Uber

The Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) is pushing the Lagos State government to put their collective agreement into action to better regulate ride-hailing in the state.

What’s this agreement? Kolawole Aina, AUATON’s South-West zonal chairman, highlighted that the agreement is all about making sure drivers are treated fairly. It tackles issues like low fares, high commission rates, and the way e-hailing companies can randomly activate or deactivate drivers.

Aina explained that the agreement sets out how the government, ride-hailing companies, drivers, and riders can share responsibilities more fairly. The federal transport and labour ministries are on board, but Lagos State hasn't implemented it yet.

He also pointed out the importance of addressing insurance and security concerns, noting that many drivers have been harmed or lost property during rides. He mentioned that some customers with bad intentions have even killed drivers to steal and sell their cars. Insurance would cover the driver, passengers, belongings, and the car itself.

AUATON, which is registered with the Ministry of Labour and Employment and part of the Nigeria Labour Congress, aims to protect its members' interests, promote their economic well-being, and ensure safety and security for all platform workers.

The union has a huge membership across Nigeria, including ride-hailing drivers, bike and bicycle delivery workers, and bus passenger workers.

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Have a terrific Thursday!

Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.

She's autistic and interested in mental health and how technology can help Africans with mental disorders. Find her on Twitter @latoria_ria.
She's autistic and interested in mental health and how technology can help Africans with mental disorders. Find her on Twitter @latoria_ria.
She's autistic and interested in mental health and how technology can help Africans with mental disorders. Find her on Twitter @latoria_ria.

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