Business
Property Investments, Boost To Economy – Stakeholders

Stakeholders in the real estate sector have stated that property investment would boost the country’s economy this year.
Chief Executive Officer of Wealth Island Properties, Africa, Akintade Esan, said the real estate sector was one of the viable options available to investors, saying that the Nigerian economy was not as worse as projected by some.
“I have two degrees in Economics and that positions me to be able to analyse the impending economic situation. This is against the parameters that have been laid out by experts.
“Nigeria is not in dire straits as most people think and are predicting. The economy will defy the dynamics that most people are used to, and that is where the confusion starts to form.
“However, some investment options have proven over time to be more predictable in difficult times like this”, Esan said.
According to him, the government’s struggle to solve the housing problem for a growing population was already challenged in the face of the hydra-headed social, security, and electoral situations that the new year posed.
He added that a property investment gives an assurance of stability and the highest possible return on investment because it comes as a practical value and solution to the problem the country is currently facing.
He added, “In times such as this, money doesn’t reduce in circulation. It only moves from one sector to another sector, where its value is best appreciated. Property and housing for the under-served environment such as Nigeria give investors an advantage.”
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.