RAYMOND OZOJI reports
Emphasis at the 2026 commemoration of the International Day of Cooperatives held at the Anambra State Secretariat Complex Awka last weekend, was how government could assist in the growth and development of the cooperative sector to boost local economy as well as create opportunities for small and medium scale businesses to thrive in the state.
The occasion which afforded stakeholders in the cooperative sector ample time to speak vehemently against the menace of fake cooperatives described as conduit pipes for siphoning government funds and grants from foreign donor agencies, was equally an avenue for the Government of Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo to assure cooperative societies in the state of unhindered government support and assistance to only real cooperatives duly registered with the Anambra State Department of Cooperatives in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and affiliated with the statutory apex body of cooperatives in the state, the Cooperative Federation of Anambra State Limited (COFAS).
The 2026 edition which was attended by the former Minister of Women Affairs Iyom Josephine Anenih, the Commissioner for Information Dr. Law Mefor, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry Hon. Nomso Chukwuma Ebeonwu, representatives of federal and state agencies and a host of other dignitaries, featured exhibition of organic agricultural products by various cooperative organisations, parade by the cooperative groups as well as inspection of goods on display by government officials.
Addressing the august gathering, president of the Cooperative Federation of Anambra State Limited (COFAS) Dr. Ogochukwu Soludo said members of COFAS are driven by the desire to redefine cooperative engagements by mobilising savings and affordable credits to help many micro and small enterprises to start and expand; support youth engagements through skills focused cooperative groups; creating livelihoods and reducing idleness; advancing women's economic empowerment through women led cooperatives that boost household welfare; serving as a process channel for government and donor programmes at the community levels, amongst others, adding that the aforementioned core objectives are hinged on disciplined collective action and community trust, which he said is the foundation of their cooperative movement.
Although he pointed out that cooperatives are confronted with regulatory bottlenecks and barriers for persons with disabilities to participate fully and effectively, low public awareness about modern cooperative models, amongst other numerous challenges, the COFAS president noted that if the aforestated hiccups were not surmounted, cooperative societies would be constrained to scaling impact and contributing more sustainably to the state Gross Domestic Products (GDP).
He however disclosed that to address the foregoing challenges, COFAS would prioritize governance and capacity building, inclusive access to finance, market linkages and value addition, youth, women and disability inclusion, amongst other focal areas; noting that cooperatives are instruments for social cohesion and shared prosperity.
Meanwhile the Anambra state chairman of the Institute of Cooperative Professionals of Nigeria (ICOPRON) Dr. Chijioke Uneze, in his goodwill message, stated that this year's theme of the celebration which is " Cooperatives for a peaceful world" was apt as he observed that the world is challenged from the communities to the global stage hence cooperatives being a peculiar model for peace values and principles is most situated to play a pivotal role in conflict resolutions.
He therefore called on all members of cooperative groups to join forces in using their various cooperative platforms to promote peace in the world.
Also the representative of the Bank of Industry on the occasion, Chinwe Eze noted that there are funds from zero to N10 Million for micro businesses registered as an enterprise and there are funds also from N10 Million and above to N50 Million for small and medium scale entreprises.
According to her, Anambra citizens have no reasons to say that they don't have money to start or expand their businesses because the state government has made funds available in the Bank of Industry for them to access in order to boost as well as encourage local productions.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Hon. Nomso Chukwuma Ebeonwu, observed that the cooperative sector has struggled for quite awhile and according to him, there are myriads of issues confronting the sector which he mentioned as inadequate capitalisation, weak financial discipline, low digital literacy, scattered registration across multiple ministries without synergy, amongst others.
Ebeonwu however informed that the state government wants to support real cooperatives and not portfolio cooperatives who only exists to abscond with government funds and donor agencies' grants.
He therefore urged all cooperative groups to identify with the Cooperative Federation of Anambra State Limited (COFAS), adding that Anambra is open to genuine accountable partnership in the cooperative sector.
Former Minister of Women Affairs, Iyom Josephine Anenih, who is a member of Oganiru Multipurpose Cooperative Society in Anambra state, advised various cooperative groups to imbibe the virtues of honesty, integrity, transparency and accountability for the survival of the sector; describing cooperatives as veritable instruments for economic empowerment, job creation and poverty alleviation.
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