Lagos State Government has called on the State Cooperative College to develop an additional pragmatic policy framework for development of the cooperative movement to further actualise its economic potentials.
The Honourable Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives (MCIC), Dr. Lola Akande, gave the advice recently at the beginning of a three-day Strategic Meeting of the College’s Governing Council and Management themed: “Setting Agenda for Growth and Excellence”.
She said the meeting was a perfect opportunity to set the roadmap for the development of the Cooperative Movement, which is a major financial haven for the informal sector and an integral part of the State’s economy that keeps a significant number of the populace in employment.
Mrs. Akande stated it was also designed to develop a document for the institution, adding that the State government was doing everything possible to make available the necessary skilled manpower to harness the economic potentials of the movement.
Her words: “The Cooperative Movement possesses the potential for more economic sustenance, if well developed and better managed. This government aims to harness the potentials in the movement to create employment, eradicate poverty and boost socio-economic growth”.
“Hence the Lagos State Government, in developing and fortifying the sector, has presented before the State House of Assembly a bill that would address all forms of sharp practices when passed into law”.
The Commissioner, therefore, enjoined the participants to develop a more robust, realistic and pragmatic policy framework for the College to attain the set goals for achieving its mandates, stressing that there is a need for everyone to contribute their quota towards realising the vision.
Speaking earlier, Mr. Oladele Ajayi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce, Industry Cooperatives, expressed confidence that the College would deliver its mandate, assuring that the necessary support to will be provided.
“On our part as political office holders with oversight responsibilities over the College, we will use our good offices to pursue the realisation of the College’s mandate as spelt out in its enabling law to complement your efforts in positioning the College on the path of growth, development and excellence”, he stated.
Mr. Rafiu Oyebowale Raji, the Chairman of the Governing Council said that the essence of the meeting was to develop, formulate and prepare an encompassing policy document that would kick start methodological progress in the life of the institution and drive activities towards achieving the vision of the College as outlined in its law.
He added that the College, despite operating as a full-fledged educational institution for few years, has made substantial progress in delivering knowledge in the areas of cooperative studies and management to provide adequate skilled manpower to the cooperative movement.
“Within one year of the inauguration of the Governing Council, we have been able to commence a part-time programme for Professional Diploma in Cooperative Studies and set in motion necessary activities towards the commencement of full academic operations of National Diploma awarding programmes in the College by September 2021”, the Chairman stated.
Raji, however, used the occasion to solicit support from all necessary quarters to achieve success in line with the institution’s mandate.
