Era of fake Cooperative Societies in Nigeria is gone, says FG

From Noah Ebije, Kaduna

Apparently declaring war against fake Cooperative Societies in the country, the federal government has said that the era of such societies is gone.

Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi said that the federal government is poised to fight fake and corrupt cooperative societies who steal and deprive innocent citizens of their hard earned resources.

The Minister said this on Tuesday at the Flag-off Ceremony of the National Intensive Training/Workshop for Trustees, Management Committees and Managers of Cooperative Societies in Nigeria, held at Federal Cooperative College, Kaduna.

The Minister pointed out that the aim of the federal government is to bring innovation by renovating first, revitalizing the sector to restore confidence in the masses and bringing back the glory of the cooperative movement as a force to be reckoned in the socio-economic development of the country.

According to him, “the reform and revamp will focus on review and amendments of the Nigeria Cooperative, Act to bring it up to date with global best practices and our local realities; development of regulatory framework to ensure compliance and due diligence in management of cooperatives; robust stakeholder mapping and analysis to guarantee participation; and monitoring strategies to weed out fake and corrupt cooperative societies who steal and scam innocent citizens”.

He said: “Indeed, the days of fake cooperative societies is gone and we are taking measures to bring sanity. Very soon the National Council on Cooperative Affairs will be convened to bring synergy, collaboration and partnership with the States Cooperative ecosystem”.

“According to the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), over 12% of the global population is engaged in one of the 3 million cooperatives worldwide. Cooperatives are vital for sustainable economic growth, providing stable employment and work opportunities for 280 million people, which accounts for about 10% of the world’s workforce”, the Minister added.

Abdullahi said: “the largest 300 cooperatives and mutuals generate a total turnover of $2.4 trillion, as reported by the World Cooperative Monitor (2023)”.

“With the above statistics, the Renewed Hope Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR recognizes cooperative societies’ crucial role in driving economic growth, social development, and community empowerment. Hence, the priority given to reforming and revamping the sector”, he added.

The Minister further stressed that “President Tinubu is very passionate about the critical role Cooperatives play in his desire for national food security, poverty reduction, inclusivity, economic growth and job creation”, adding that “Renewed Hope is here”.

Abdullahi further explained that the training will provide the participants with the requisite skills and knowledge to effectively manage and lead cooperative societies.

Earlier in his opening address, the Provost of the College, Dr. Ibrahim Awwal said that the training by the institution will equip the cooperators with tools needed to advance cooperative Societies in Nigeria.

He urged the participants to make good use of the opportunity, adding that “cooperative organizations are pillars of economic empowerment, social cohesion and sustainable development in the country “.