Business
Union Wants Increased Bailout Fund For Textile Sector
The National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), has urged the Federal Government to increase the amount of bailout funds for the revival of textile industries.
The National President of the Union, Comrade Dele Hunsu, stated this in a statement issued from the union’s secretariat in Lagos.
He said, “the union calls on the federal government to increase the bailout funds for the textile industry.”
The statement added that the union’s concern now is on what is needed for the effective means of implementing government policies on the revival of textile industries in the country.
The union call on President Goodluck Jonathan to review the transformation agenda of his administration so as to fast-track the revival process of the textile industries.
Also, the Secretary General of the union, Comrade Isaac Aremu, called on the federal government to consider the issue of the bailout plan initiated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration and implemented by the Umaru Yar’adua administration, should be reviewed for more funds to be injected into the sector.
He said the textile bailout had been misconstrued by some individuals in government as a charity to the benefiting industries.
The union’s scribe said the union wanted to make it clear to some people in government that the bailout fund for the textile sector was not a jamboree rather a long-term loan managed by the Bank of Industry (BOI) at a single digit interest rate as against what is obtainable in the commercial banks for the revival of the textile industry that have been taken over by churches in the country.
The Tide investigation revealed that 38 companies would be revived with the initial bailout fund of N100 billion given to resuscitate ailing textile industries in the country.
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.