Business
Ex-AUPCTRE Scribe Laments Workers’ Plight
A former Deputy General Secretary of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), Mr Godwin Adebayo, has decried the impoverishment of Nigerian workers.
Adebayo told our correspondent in Abuja that “life is unbearable for most Nigerian workers as a result of the continued erosion of their purchasing power.
“Any government that attends to workers’ needs is definitely building the future because when you encourage the working class, you are building the society.
“It is a fact that motivation improves productivity and lack of incentives is one of the major reasons for the low productivity in our various ministries, departments and parastatals today.
“We have had situations in this country when workers retired and cannot cater for themselves and their families, this is very pathetic,’’ he said.
Adebayo appealed to the Federal Government to improve living standard for workers, saying: “no society can achieve any meaningful development without the contributions of workers.
According to him, this must be appreciated if the country must attain its dream of becoming one of the most developed countries in the world.
“Government must realise that workers are allies that must be relied upon for this country to move forward.’’
Business
Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.