Nigerian millennials in the past few weeks have taken to the streets in unprecedented numbers, kicking against the abuse done by a significant number of law enforcement officers, most specifically, the disbanded Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS).

As the protest rages on, various rights groups have set up funds to provide participants, support, while they glamour for the long-overdue reforms.

Feminist Coalition, recently gave reasons why it’s now switching to crypto. The group said;

“We’re moving to only accepting donations in Bitcoin using BTC Pay. BTC Pay is a free, secure, decentralized, and censorship-resistant platform, which makes it our best option, given the past few days #EndPoliceBrutalityinNigeria. Please donate here: https://donatebtc.feministcoalition2020.com”

We're moving to only accepting donations in Bitcoin using BTC Pay. BTC Pay is a free, secure, decentralized and censorship-resistant platform, which makes it our best option, given the past few days #EndPoliceBrutalityinNigeria

Please donate here: https://t.co/FvsEKetUL9

— feministcoalition (@feminist_co) October 15, 2020

The fast-rising Nigerian rights group provides logistics, aid to Nigerians pressing for Police reforms via street protests disclosed they raised about 8 bitcoins valued at over $88,0000 and other cash donations.

All balances
NGN 34,610,019.13
USD 11,474.34
CAD 5,595.89
GBP 5,733.49
EUR 875.42
GHS 1,256.70
KES 53,016.60
BTC 7.82026017

2/2#EndSARS

— feministcoalition (@feminist_co) October 19, 2020

Why this matters

The donations are used in providing medical and legal bills for some Nigerians arrested in recent days, and most importantly to hire private security guards in protecting them against armed gangs, who of late have tried to discredit the theme of the peaceful protests.

Another critical macro making many Nigerian millennials use crypto amid protest for reforms is basically because the #EndSARS protests in principle is decentralized. There is no known centralized authority coordinating the protest, and not forgetting, the much advantage cryptos have over fiat currencies are that they are decentralized finance assets, meaning, funds can’t be controlled, blocked or disengaged by any central authority.

Also, crypto donations are very secure, and privacy concerns kept at a minimal level, on the basis you don’t disclose your personal details when making such transfers.

Backstory

Nairametrics had earlier given vital insights on how for years, young Nigerians, mostly via social media, have called for the notorious Police unit to be disbanded and rogue elements in the force brought to justice. Despite repeated promises by the government, they have failed to heed to the demands, triggering a new wave of protests that have now spread across the country.

Nigerian bourse started its first trading session, unsurprisingly ended on a neutral note.

The All Share Index remained the same as the last trading session, closing at 28,658.31 basis points as against +1.11% appreciation recorded on Friday. Its Year-to-Date (YTD) returns currently stands at +6.77%.

• That said, Nigerian bourse trading turnover plunged by -41.26% as against the +42.93% uptick recorded on Friday. ZENITHBANK, UBA, and FBNH were the most active to boost market turnover.
• CHAMS led the list of active stocks that recorded an impressive volume spike at the end of today’s session.
• Market breadth closed positive as INTBREW led 19 Gainers as against 18 Losers topped by ETERNA at the end of today’s session – an unimproved performance when compared with the previous outlook.

Top gainers

1. INTBREW up 9.94% to close at N5.86
2. CONOIL up 9.72% to close at N15.8
3. ARDOVA up 5.83% to close at N12.7
4. GUINNESS up 4.75% to close at N17.65
5. GUARANTY up 1.48% to close at N30.8

Top losers

1. ETERNA down 8.98% to close at N4.46
2. MAYBAKER down 7.69% to close at N3
3. CADBURY down 3.11% to close at N7.8
4. ZENITHBANK down 2.55% to close at N21
5. WAPCO down 1.86% to close at N18.5

Outlook

Nigerian bourse ended neutral amid rising crude oil prices at the first trading session for the week.

• Ongoing protests among a significant number of Nigerian youths in urban areas weighed on Monday’s trading activity, as economic activities were disrupted at Nigeria’s economic hub, thereby leading to a plunge in trading activities.
• Furthermore, gains recorded by Conoil, GTbank got neutralized, as selling pressure observed in  Eterna, Cadbury, and Zenith bank intensified.
• Nairametrics envisage cautious buying as many Nigerian millennials still remain on the street protesting for other reforms, and the rising caseloads of COVID-19 in Nigerian’s international markets would most likely affect its major export earnings in the mid-term.

The Federal government of Nigeria has disclosed that it is expecting an annual output of one million metric tonnes of steel from its $1.5 billion steel plant in Kaduna.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed while inspecting the steel plant facility at the African Natural Resouces and Mines Limited in Kaduna.

READ: Why Ajaokuta Cannot Make Steel

READ: CBN restricts forex for milk import to Nestle, Chi, Friesland, 3 others

According to The Punch, Mrs Zainab Ahmed during the inspection of the facility said that the $1.5 billion steel plant which is now nearing completion, would produce one million metric tonnes of steel annually. She emphasized that the facility is critical to the nation as it is tactical to the looming steel revolution in Nigeria.

READ: Maize Scarcity: Premier Feeds, Crown Flour, 2 others import 262,000MT of Maize

What you should know

The $1.5 billion steel plant built by African Resources and Mines Limited, a subsidiary of African Industries Group (AIG) is at an advanced stage of completion.

The plant which is billed to commence the first phase of production in the mining of Iron ore, and production of Direct Reduced Iron in a matter of months is expected to produce one million metric tonnes of steel annually.

(READ MORE:FG to provide support to Aviation investors)

Why this matters

This development is expected to resuscitate Nigeria’s steel industry which has been lifeless for a while, and help put an end to the importation of steel in Nigeria. This will also reduce the pressure on the Nation’s foreign reserve, and bolster the foreign reserve of the country.

It is expected to boost domestic steel production and attract foreign investors’ participation in the industry, especially auto producers around the world.

However, the facility will create employment opportunities for Nigerians both directly and directly and indirectly.

READ: House of Representatives oppose concession of Ajaokuta Steel Plant

What they are saying

Alok Gupta, the Group Managing Director of AIG, said the firm would be mining iron ore to produce direct reduced iron, which would enable the company to produce higher-grade steel more efficiently.

He explained that the investment by the company in the Nation’s steel industry will dramatically increase domestic production, and this will have multiple effects on the Nigerian economy.

READ: CBN moves to reduce cassava derivatives import worth $600 million  

READ MORE:FG slashes 2020 budget by N318 billion, sends to NASS

The Minister of Finance emphasized that the recent investment in the steel industry by AIG which is about to yield gains both for the company and the economy will attract the auto industries of the world to come into Nigeria and produce cars in Nigeria for Nigerians, and other countries in West Africa.

READ: Kachikwu advocates refineries repair as petrol landing cost reaches N180 per litre

Bottomline

The investment of AIG in the steel industry is expected to drive the country towards steel independence, and pave the way for Nigeria’s steel revolution and the development of the automobile industry in the nation.

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