Encomium
With the heartwarming news of the beginning of the end of recession, the Presidency and economists urge cautious optimism.
And majority of Nigerians agree that with inflation still high, productivity low, growth slower than rising population and unemployment high, we should hope for sustained improvements in indices.
The effects of recession are still clearly present. But how do we know the signs that mark the end of this trying, difficult and dehumanising recession?
Here are undeniable signs to look out for that the good times have returned as compiled by encomium.ng:
1. You know more people gainfully engaged and happy to be employed.
Tales of mass sack in critical sectors are over as more companies employ more people with production level increasing by leaps.
Many are engaged in producing goods and services with more money flowing around as multiplier effects are more pronounced.
2. Newer ventures are started as old ones grow busier with the local economy booming as factories’ machines hum and hiss.
More new ventures stream in as confidence of ready markets are visible. Older ones increase productivity and recall staffers as they engage more hands. Factories are busier. And local markets in the vicinity boom.
3. Confidence returns to the stock market as more investors stream in.
Forex flows as more foreign investors become more confident that after retraction there will be growth and boom. Market capitalisation rockets higher with more money available to grow businesses.
4. Profit increases as number of billionaires multiply with ventures generating more money.
Those in production record better sales as profit margins improve, and more money is available to business owners who grow their net worth.
They become more charity-driven as they help the downtrodden.
5. Deposits grow in banks with more money available to lend and grow more businesses.
As businesses make more money, so deposits grow and banks can lend better with lower interest rates and juicer terms.
6. Artisans give longer delivery dates as the din in their workshops are louder.
They are overwhelmed with orders, and struggle to meet up.
With more money, hitherto abandoned projects and items are resuscitated.
7. Construction becomes more evident as buildings spring up, renovations energised.
There’s more money to invest in property. So, architects, contractors and artisans in the industry begin to smile more.
Renovations are revived as we concentrate more on beautifying our environment.
8. Kitchens are busier, pantries and fridges fuller with better options.
People now eat more than two meals a day, with children given freer access to snacks and drinks.
We are better fed and illnesses from starvation, deprivation and sadness wane.
9. Corner shops are fully loaded, restaurants, canteens and bukas busier, beer parlours, joints and lounges fuller.
There’s money to throw around on treats and leisure, and heavier footfalls return to leisure spots.
Beer parlours, lounges, clubs, restaurants and other fun spots will record more patronage.
10. Kids are in better schools, percentage of fees’ debtors reduce, institutions become better funded with teachers regularly paid.
More children will return to school, some others will be in more expensive ones as more money flows into the educational system as teachers and staffers are now regularly paid.
Those who owe tuition will dwindle.
11. Parties return to event centres as more frivolous celebrations become more lavish.
The party industry will boom with vendors busier as auxiliary industries record more businesses.
Aso ebi will return bigger and more expensive with events recording more number of guests who are lavishly entertained.
12. More attention is paid to clothes and personal grooming.
With more money, people spend excessively on better clothes and looking more expensive.
The fashion business will record remarkable growth and beauty products sales will escalate.
13. International flights’ frequencies will increase as bigger aircraft ferry Nigerians abroad.
The middle class is no longer hard up, and have more disposable income to lavish on trips abroad.
The starved airlines will in turn increase the number of flights to Nigeria and bring bigger planes.
14. Traffic jams escalate with more vehicles on the road.
Those ‘for sale’ signs on private vehicles will be fewer, emergency kabukabus scarcer as more vehicles are fueled and put on the road.
Decisions to park private cars and use ‘public transport’ are easily dismissed.
15. Suicides subside.
Those frustrated by the economy will decrease as more avenues of hope open up.
Desperation will be better curtailed as help surrounds those in anguish.
16. Opportunistic crimes disappear.
With more meaningful opportunities those who blame crime on poverty have fewer excuses with jobs in abundance.
Kidnapping, armed robbery, one chance and all will be few and far between.
