Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has sought cooperative societies’ collaboration with his administration in driving all-inclusive development, empowerment and poverty reduction among the citizens.
Acknowledging the crucial role cooperative societies play in wealth distribution, the governor said it was important for their leadership to uphold integrity, accountability, dedication, compassion and drive growth and development.
Sanwo-Olu spoke at an event to mark the 2024 International Day of Cooperatives, Saturday, in Lagos, organised by the ministry of commerce, cooperatives, trade, and investment. The theme for the celebration was, “cooperatives: building a better future for all”,
Represented by Olugbamila Aina, permanent secretary of the ministry, Sanwo-Olu emphasised the importance of cooperative societies as essential stakeholders in realising sustainable development goals and the state government’s THEMES Plus Agenda.
He called for collaboration with cooperatives to accelerate sustainable development as the state works toward building a greater Lagos and a brighter future for all residents.
According to the governor, “As we celebrate this special day, let us recognise the immense potential of cooperatives in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“From reducing poverty to promoting decent work, fostering innovation and enhancing social justice, cooperatives have the power to drive transformative change.
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“By pooling resources and fostering collaboration among members, cooperatives can amplify individual efforts, mitigate risks, and generate collective benefits for all stakeholders.
“This is crucial when we understand that government alone cannot provide all that is required to address the challenges associated with sustainable development.
Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, the state commissioner for commerce, cooperatives, trade, and investment, said the day aligned with the objectives of the upcoming United Nations Summit of the Future with the theme, “Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow”.
She highlighted the positive impact of cooperatives in Lagos State and commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for creating and maintaining an enabling environment for the cooperative movement’s development.
Represented by Zulikha Ibraheem, the director of cooperative services, Ambrose-Medebem revealed that Lagos State registered 615 new cooperative societies in the past year, adding to the over 3,000 already in existence.
“We are confident that the emergence of these new societies will further empower thousands of Lagosians, boost productive activities and expand the state’s economy,” she added.
