LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT REFUNDS 145 FORMER SUBSCRIBERS OF EGAN HOUSING ESTATE
admin By Oyebola Owolabi and Ganiyat Mumuni
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 hinted 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, noted that the theme is centered on fostering and attaining Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as championed by the United Nations through 193 countries since 2015.
She restated that the 2024 International Cooperative Day celebration will 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 noted that government can 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 overemphasized 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. Cooperatives, as we all know, is established for the betterment and wellbeing 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.
