Business
Recession: Don Urges Improved Welfare Package

Against the backdrop of last Tuesday’s announcement of Nigeria’s exit from recession, a university lecturer, Dr Tolani Hassan, has called for improved welfare package for the citizenry.
Hassan, an economist and Senior Lecturer at the College of Management and Social Sciences, Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijebu-Ode, Ogun, made the call in an interview with newsmen last Wednesday.
“It’s a marginal growth of 0.55 per cent of the national Gross Domestic Product, which is more or less insignificant when you look at the larger picture.
“Though it is good news that we are out of recession but my own concern is this: how does this translate to a better welfare package for the citizenry?
“To have the figures on paper is one thing, and translating it to better living for the people is another.
“In Nigeria today, people are no longer interested in statistical figures, but are more interested in how they will meet their domestic needs.
“It’s good we are saying we are out of recession, but we want it to be practicable,” Hassan said.
He urged the Federal Government to seek pragmatic ways of utilising the recession news toward giving Nigerians cause for cheer.
Hassan said the government could start by honouring previous agreements it entered into with civil society organisations to fast track socioeconomic development.
“The Academic Staff Union of Universities is on strike, resident doctors are on strike, other joint labour unions are also threatening to go on strike.
“This says a lot about the present state of the economy.
“It is one thing to make an agreement and another to implement the terms of the agreement”, Hassan said.
“If the government wants to show us that they are sincere and sensitive to the plight of Nigerians, let them honour agreements.
“Now they say we are out of recession, but people are still lamenting over lack of food and inflation rate.
“Price of commodities have not dropped and salaries aren’t being paid as and when due, and in some cases, not paid at all.
“So, the question is this: what has changed, pre and post recession? How the figures will have impact on our lives is our utmost priority,” Hassan said.
Business
NCAA Certifies Elin Group Aircraft Maintenance

Business
SMEDAN, CAC Move To Ease Business Registration, Target 250,000 MSMEs

Business
Blue Economy: Minister Seeks Lifeline In Blue Bond Amid Budget Squeeze

Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is seeking new funding to implement its ambitious 10-year policy, with officials acknowledging that public funding is insufficient for the scale of transformation envisioned.
Adegboyega Oyetola, said finance is the “lever that will attract long-term and progressive capital critical” and determine whether the ministry’s goals take off.
“Resources we currently receive from the national budget are grossly inadequate compared to the enormous responsibility before the ministry and sector,” he warned.
He described public funding not as charity but as “seed capital” that would unlock private investment adding that without it, Nigeria risks falling behind its neighbours while billions of naira continue to leak abroad through freight payments on foreign vessels.
He said “We have N24.6 trillion in pension assets, with 5 percent set aside for sustainability, including blue and green bonds,” he told stakeholders. “Each time green bonds have been issued, they have been oversubscribed. The money is there. The question is, how do you then get this money?”
The NGX reckons that once incorporated into the national budget, the Debt Management Office could issue the bonds, attracting both domestic pension funds and international investors.
Yet even as officials push for creative financing, Oloruntola stressed that the first step remains legislative.
“Even the most innovative financial tools and private investments require a solid public funding base to thrive.
It would be noted that with government funding inadequate, the ministry and capital market operators see bonds as alternative financing.
-
Rivers12 hours ago
FTAN Gets New State Coordinator … To Push For Tourism
-
News12 hours ago
NDLEA arrests two drug kingpins in Lagos, seizes cocaine, heroine
-
Sports13 hours ago
Group lauds Foundation’s contribution to football, youth dev.
-
Education12 hours ago
Lga boss tasks corp members on diligent service to fatherland
-
Politics12 hours ago
New PDP Leaders Emerge In Adamawa After Congress
-
Sports12 hours ago
Forest Still Looking For Winning Formula
-
online games2 days ago
The Power of Advanced Historical Data and Live Metrics for Football Analytics
-
Rivers12 hours ago
Democratic Rule Return Sparks Renewed Debate In Rivers