Lagos State Government said it would create an environment to enable cooperative societies participate equally with other forms of enterprises and develop effective partnerships to achieve their goals.
Dr Lola Akande, Commissioner, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives (MCIC), gave the assurance on Tuesday at the Lagos 2022 International Day of Cooperatives (IDC)with the theme: “Cooperatives Build a Better World”.
The event which commemorates the IDC 100th celebration, was organised by the ministry alongside the Lagos State Cooperative Federation (LASCOFED).
The IDC is an occasion to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilise political will and resources to address global problems, to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity.
Akande said that each year’s celebration moved to showcase inclusivity, self-reliance and sustainability to create a society that promotes wealth creation and economic viability.
She said Lagos was celebrating the event to address global challenges and reinforce the promotion of sustainable commercial and industrial growth.
She said that in furtherance of the robust partnership and commitment of the Lagos state government, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, signed the State Cooperative Societies Bill, on Feb. 7.
This, the commissioner said, made it easier for cooperative societies to contribute positively to improving the lives of their members and the communities in which they operate.
She added that the government had acknowledged the significance of cooperative societies, as associations and enterprises through which citizens could effectively improve their lives while contributing to the economic, social, cultural and political advancement of the nation.
“Government recognizes that the cooperative movement is highly democratic, locally autonomous but internationally integrated.
“In line with the agenda of this administration, making Lagos a 21st century state will be implemented through promotion of sustainable commercial and industrial growth.
“There will also be improved business support policies and provision of critical infrastructure for conducive business environment.
“Consequently, a robust partnership between the Lagos State Government and Cooperative Movement is germane to the growth of the sector,” she said.
The commissioner said that given the important contributions of cooperative movement to education, there existed the Lagos State Cooperative College available for the educational development at Agege.
She said its curriculum was structured to cater for the overall training needs of all cooperators with courses like Cooperative Economics and Management, Microfinance and Enterprise Development; both accredited by the National Board of Technical Education.
