Edo State Marks #CoopsDay, Recognises Efforts of Cooperatives in Sustainable Development

… Marks Events with Roadshows, Walk Rally, and Public Lecture

The 101st International Cooperative Day and the 29th International Day of Cooperatives recognized by the United Nations marked every year on the 1st Saturday in July, falls on the 1st of July this year as Edo State Ministry of Business, Trade & Cooperatives (MBTC) in collaboration with Edo Cooperative Federation and other key Cooperative stakeholders in the state celebrates the auspicious occasion. Themed: Cooperative for Sustainable Development

The #CoopsDay celebrations commenced with all the Cooperative Stakeholders in the State converging at the Uselu Market, a populous area in the State for a Road Show and Walk Rally to Senzitize the Masses Publicly about the benefits of being in a Cooperative, Forming, and/or Joining a Society to empower themselves.

After the Road-show and rallying together, they marched to the UBTH Cooperative Hall Venue of the International Cooperative Day Public Lecture. The lecture programme was declared opened by the Edo State Ministry of Business, Trade & Cooperative Commissioner, Hon. Patrick Uanseru ably represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Mr. Efe Iserhienrhien.

The Edo State Director of Cooperatives in her Welcome Address first appreciated the Honourable Commissioner,
Hon. Patrick Uanseru, the PS Mr. Efe Iserhienrhien, Staff of the Cooperative Department, and other staff, including the Management of the Ministry, in attendance for their support, thus ensuring the #CoopsDay Event sees the light of day.

She further remarked, “I would also like to appreciate Mr. Filani Ojo, President, Edo Cooperative Federation and his indefatigable team and The President of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital Staff Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society who has been so supportive from the very inception till this day of the occasion, I say thank you all.”

Also, she honoured the demise of two key major coop stakeholders in the state. “I would want us to observe a minute of silence in honour of the death of the president of AAU Workers MPCS and Ikpoba-Okha Staff MPCS and pray for God’s mercy upon their souls and for God to console the Families and Friends they left behind Amen!”

Mrs. Efeomo concluded her address by stating a fact about cooperatives around the world and particularly in the state. She said, “Today, more than ever, an economic model with community leadership focused on the common good is necessary. For a long time, it has shown that it is possible to produce, consume, save, educate, serve, and live together, while also prioritizing the wellbeing of people and the environment as a cooperative society.”

“I want to take this moment to recognize cooperatives and their members in the state for the enormous effort and the great difference they have already made and still making for the sustainable development of all. To sustain work, production, consumption, health, finances, communications, essential services, and many other activities that are facing difficulties. “Cooperative for Sustainable Development” is a call to continue putting our cooperative principles into action to impact our members and the communities where we operate.”

On the occasion, Goodwill messages were delivered by Edo Cooperative Federation President Comrade Filani Ojo, the Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital(UBTH), ably represented by Prof. Stanley Ukadike Okugbo and other coop key stakeholders in the state who all spoke their minds on the benefits derived as cooperative members and what they do for their communities.

The Keynote Speaker, Mr. Larry Egun Onyeche, who is the president of Delta State Cooperative Federation Limited, delivered a paper presentation titled “Cooperative Governance: Leadership Qualities/Skills, Transparency & Accountability”.

He reiterated the Cooperative Principles of Members’ Economic Participation when he said, “Cooperative is known for the Active Resource Poor. You can’t be a lazy man, join a Cooperative, waiting for the government to come and be helping you to thrive… It’s a No, No-No “

Some key stakeholders and participants at the International Cooperative Day Celebrations, which include Prof. Joel Ebulagba of FAGCoop Uniben pinpoint how Cooperative ensures Sustainable Development, others who make observations and comment on the success of the event were Pastor, Dan Omozusi of ITV Cooperative said, “we have been tutored on how to sustain our cooperative society and, how to make progress.”

Speaking also, on the impact the event has made on the participants is the President of UBTH Cooperative Mr. Osas Ojo who said, “It has been so enriching in terms of the knowledge that is being added.”

This International Cooperative Day event, which in recent years is the second annual celebration made in the State was attended by several Cooperative societies from across the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Edo State, Nigeria.