Experts Urge Young Cooperators to Leverage on Innovations

…reiterates youth involvement in Cooperative Development.

Youths have been urged to embrace innovation, digital disruptive change, and technology and form formidable partnerships while harnessing their potential to succeed through the Cooperative Societies.

The President of Ike Oluwa Sagamu CMU Limited and Founder of Ola Cooperative Foundation, Mr. Ola Otinwa revealed this while speaking at the Ogun 2023 International Cooperative Youth Day in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on Saturday with the theme: “Achieving Innovation in Cooperative Practices Through Youth Cooperative Society”.

Otinwa posited that promoting youth cooperatives can further strengthen innovation by leveraging the young minds on fresh ideas and creativity to drive positive change within the cooperative societies.

He, however, appealed to the youth to leverage mentorship and collaboration with experienced members and elders to bridge the generation gap and build a strong foundation for sustainable innovation in the cooperative.

“youth cooperative societies have the potential to bring fresh ideas and perspective to the cooperative movement, leading to meaningful innovation and sustainable growth”.

“By increasing the energy and creativity of the young people, the cooperative societies can therefore create a positive impact on both their members and the communities they serve”, he added.

In his remarks at the event, the President of Ogun State Cooperative Federation Limited, Alhaji Wasiu Olaleye, called on the youth to be innovative and enhance economic and human capital development that will contribute to the development of cooperative societies.

Olaleye, while reeling out various opportunities embedded in the cooperative movement, further urged the youth and cooperative players to collaborate and form formidable partnerships to place cooperative practice at the center state of the global dialogue.

“The Cooperative President maintained that with greater awareness of the importance of the cooperative to human and society development, as well as its multiplier effect can positively and directly impact livelihoods.

In his welcome address, the President, OGSCOFED Youth Cooperative Multipurpose Society, Badejo Adeyemi, described the Cooperative as a successful and democratic movement that has addressed major challenges facing business and humanity.

He said, “It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to the maiden edition of Ogun 2023 International Youth Day and the first of it’s kind in the history of Cooperative Movement in Ogun State and Nigeria”.

“On this day, we gather young people, experts, and partners across the world to commemorate the day with the theme: “Green Skills For Youth: Towards a Sustainable Future”.

“In order to promote the good image of cooperative in Ogun State, we have decided to have our celebration this year with the theme: “Harnessing innovation among youths through Cooperative”.

“As a young cooperator, we want to address the existing stereotypes and young people’s perception of cooperatives as old-fashioned businesses by educating them on how cooperative enterprises actually work”.

“We can change this perception by involving young people at our societies, Unions, Apexes, and State Federations for a more visible change, growth, and development”, he added.

The epoch-making event also witnessed a paper presentation on the topic, “Youth Involvement in Cooperative Development”, delivered by Chief (Mrs) J. Ola Bisiriyu, erstwhile Executive Secretary, OGSCOFED Limited.

Important dignitaries at the event that gave goodwill messages and encouraging words to the youthful participants at the occasion include; the Director of Cooperative Services in Ogun State, Pastor Samuel Mustapha ably represented by the Deputy Director of Cooperative Services, Mr. A. A. Ogunjimi, Mrs. Adekoya (Zonal Assistant Director of Cooperative Services, Abeokuta South), Otunba Adesoga Tikare (Otunba Akarigbo of Remo Land and a Cooperative lawyer), Comrade Tola Onafuye (Branch President Remo Branch One of OGSCOFED Limited), Mr. Victor Oyegoke (President/CEO CRASoN.coop), Muhammad S. Bello (Founder/Director CLERC) and Pastor Oluyiga Gbodi (President, Ogun State Cooperative Managers Association) represented by the OGSCOMAS Egba Zone, Mr. Babatunde Isiaq

Others were; Mr. David Ayelabola (Executive Secretary, OGSCOFED Limited), and Mr. Adekunbi (Treasurer, Ola Oluwapo Isale Abetu Abeokuta CMU Limited)