#CoopsDay: 615 Additional Cooperative Societies Registered in Lagos State

About 615 cooperative societies were registered in Lagos State in the last one year, it has been learnt.

This number comprises 435 Cooperative Multipurpose Societies (CMS); 115 Cooperative, Thrift and Credit Societies (CTCS) and 65 Cooperative Agricultural Multipurpose Societies (CAMS).

Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, said this at a news conference to herald the 2024 International Day of Cooperatives.

This year’s theme is ‘Cooperatives: Building a Better Future for All’.

Mrs. Ambrose-Medebem, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olugbemiga Ayoola, said the theme is centred on fostering and attaining Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as championed by the United Nations through 193 countries since 2015.

She said the 2024 International Cooperative Day celebration would showcase inclusivity, self-reliance and sustainability.

“Cooperatives offer the chances of ending extreme poverty and deprivation, securing social inclusion and reconciling economic and social objectives. “Thus, the movement can create wealth for the poor, generate jobs for millions of unemployed the world over, check poverty and hunger and, above all, achieve global prosperity,” she noted.

The commissioner said  government could partner cooperative societies by providing grants for their operations, facilitating collaboration with development partners to provide mass housing, and enhancing Cooperative Laws for effective operations.

She said: “Providing grants to cooperative societies is particularly beneficial as it enables them to expand their operations, improve infrastructure and invest in community development projects.

“The cooperative movement in Lagos State has been partnering with the government by executing Concern for Community Projects annually. These prove that achieving sustainable development requires collaboration and partnership among various stakeholders, including governments, international organisations, civil society, and the private sector.”

President of the Lagos State Cooperative Federation (LASCOFED) Oladipo Shobule, restated that the importance of cooperative societies cannot be overemphasised because of its inputs towards the country’s growth.

He said: “Cooperative is very important and useful in implementing and sustaining the goals of government. Cooperative, as we all know, is established for the betterment and well-being of members. We operate as partners in progress with the government in the provision of amenities, which make living better.”

Shobule urged the government to assist the cooperative in terms of community-based development initiatives.

“Government should also come to our rescue and assist cooperative societies, particularly in their community- based projects,” he added.

Other activities lined up to mark the week include visit to orphanage/old people’s home on July 3, Jumat service at the Alausa Secretariat Central Mosque on July 6, grand finale, comprising lecture/panel discussion/raffle draw and merit awards on July 6

Thanksgiving service will hold at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja, on July 7.