CFN Calls For Govt Collaboration On International Cooperative Day

By Babatunde Kaka

• International Cooperative Day: CFN seeks Government Collaboration

• …In Nigeria, we have well over 40 million cooperators spread in all the sectors of the Nigerian economy providing succour to members and non-members alike

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the President of Cooperative Federation of Nigeria (CFN) and International Cooperative Alliance-Africa, Mr Oriyomi Ayeola on Saturday called on Federal and state governments to support efforts by the cooperative movement to revamp and boost economies, among other functions.

This call was made in a statement issued to commemorate the 2022 International Cooperative Day and address members of cooperative societies in Nigeria and Africa at large.

Ayeola described the theme for the year 2022 celebration tagged “Coops Build a Better World” as quick and instantaneous which would help to address the myriad of challenges, considering the pervasive downturn in all spheres and sectors in the world.

“The theme of this year’s celebration is Coops Build a Better World. This is in appreciation of cooperatives’ dedication and adherence to standards, and moral and ethical values; which are entrenched in the cooperative principles that build people’s social network and generate healthy communities and national peace,” he said.

“According to the Cooperative Monitor published by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), cooperative members across the world represent 12 per cent of humanity. This is a pointer to the fact that many people across the world are embracing the Cooperative Business Model. In Nigeria, we have well over 40 million cooperators spread in all the sectors of the Nigerian economy providing succour to members and non-members alike.

“Cooperatives are businesses driven by values and not by remuneration; therefore, members through over three million cooperatives across the globe act together to build a better world by helping members achieve individual goals through collective contributions.”

He lamented that despite cooperative’s contribution to a better world, cooperatives in Nigeria are confronted with many challenges, stressing that lack of adequate attention by the government, inadequate and obsolete regulations, inadequate monitoring and control, threatening inflation, general insecurity, Covid-19 pandemic with its devastating effect is still being felt, are critical problems that must be surmounted.

While he appreciated Federal and State Governments, for their immense contributions over the years, he yearned for adequate attention from the governments.

He itemised sectors that the cooperative has immensely contributed to revamping the nation’s economy such as food security through agriculture.

“Nigeria, as the largest producer of cassava in the world, it’s able to achieve the feat due to the active participation of cooperative farmers in cassava production,” he averred.

It’s worthy to note that International Cooperative Day is yearly celebrated on the first Saturday in July by Global Cooperative Movement since 1923 and the United Nations since 1995.

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As a global movement, this year’s celebration will be the 100th International Cooperative Day.

Similarly, this year marks a decade since the United Nations named 2012 the International Year of Cooperatives in recognition of the cooperative business model despite the failing economy worldwide.

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