The Lagos State Government has pledged more support to the Lagos State Cooperative Federation (LASCOFED), the umbrella body of all Cooperative Societies in the State.
The Special Adviser for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives (MCIC), Engr. Abiola Okanlawon Moshood-Olowu stated this while welcoming a delegation from the Federation led by its President, Mr. Oladipo Sobule on a courtesy visit to his office recently.
The Special Adviser described LASCOFED as a major stakeholder in the drive of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration to empower the citizenry as articulated in its T.H.E.M.E.S Development Agenda.
He said: “The importance of LASCOFED is well known to all, especially the cooperative movement in the State and that is why the Sanwo-Olu’s administration has identified LASCOFED as a major partner and stakeholder in the economic development of the State”.
While charging the delegation to be above board in the administration of Cooperative Societies, Okanlawon expressed the willingness of the State Government to consider the various requests of LASCOFED such as the provision of a Revolving Fund to enhance its operations and a parcel of land for the construction of low-income housing units for members and non-members.
He further pledged to meet with the appropriate authorities towards the successful organisation of the proposed Cooperative Festival, saying “The Government is ready to support any initiatives that will improve the economy”.
The Permanent Secretary, MCIC, Mrs. Adetutu Ososanya, harped on the need for LASCOFED to improve on its engagement with the State Government, through the Ministry, stressing that the Sanwo-Olu’s administration is a listening government.
“I want to say that having a Revolving Fund is feasible. I also charge the LASCOFED leadership to engage experts for proper appraisal of the proposed low-cost housing project for members, noting the project will complement the great strides the State Government has achieved in providing housing for the citizenry”, she added.
Speaking earlier, the President of LASCOFED, Mr. Oladipo Sobule, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Cooperatives for their support to the Federation.
Sobule said: “Cooperatives Societies play great roles in economic empowerment of the people and it is a strong social platform which government can leverage to implement social services that will have great impact across the State”.
“We have a Cooperative Festival coming up in November 2022, which is a programme to incentivise the Cooperatives Societies. However, we still need Government support for the Revolving Fund to deepen the operations of Cooperative Societies while we try to key into the social housing schemes for which we need land to build low-cost houses for members and non-members. However, all these cannot be achieved without the support of the State Government”, he said.
