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.
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.