THE JOINT MULTIPURPOSE COOPERATIVE UNION (JMCU) HELD A SUCCESSFUL RETREAT.

The Joint Multipurpose Cooperative Union (JMCU) held a successful retreat themed “Cooperative for Sustainable Economy” from June 6-9, 2024, at the Novatel Hotel in Lekki. The event was organized by a consortium of Multipurpose Cooperative Unions namely, Epe, Ikorodu North, Ikorodu South, Oshodi-Isolo, Alausa, Ajeromi/Ifelodun, Amuwo Odofin, Ifako Ijaiye, Mushin, Ojo and Women-in-Cooperative.
Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Alhaji Ismail Shabi, in his welcome address, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to host the retreat, highlighting its significance as the final retreat of the current administration of the various MCU. He praised the enhanced cooperation and economic progress achieved through shared knowledge and ideas. Alhaji Shabi also acknowledged the support of notable leaders, including High Chief Tajudeen Oriyomi AYEOLA, the President of Cooperative Federation of Nigeria (CFN), Barr. Oladipo Shobule, LASCOFED President, and Mr. Omotayo Kazeem, representative of the Director of Cooperative Services from the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperative, Trade, and Investment.
LASCOFED President Barr. Oladipo Shobule, in his keynote address, urged participants to maximize the retreat’s opportunities for collaboration and networking. He emphasized the importance of cooperatives for members welfare and called for increased support to further the goals of cooperation.
High Chief Oriyomi AYEOLA, CFN/ICA-Africa President, shared his enthusiasm for the retreat, recalling its inception in 2013 during his tenure as LASCOFED President. He stressed the global relevance of cooperatives in addressing economic challenges and called on the Nigerian government to recognize and support cooperative initiatives, drawing parallels to the successful cooperative strategies adopted in the 1950’s by Chief Obafemi Awolowo in Southwest Nigeria.
The first lecture, delivered by Mr. Seun Adewuyi, focused on “Strategies for Cooperative Growth and Self-Reliance.” Key points of the lecture included:
• Understanding Cooperatives
• Current State of Cooperatives in Nigeria
• Challenges Faced by Cooperatives
• Strategies for Growth
• Role of Government and Policy Makers in Cooperative Development
• Community Involvement and Local Initiatives
• Building Self-Reliance
Mr. Okunola Usman, an accomplished youth farmer and scholar took participants through the topic “Wealth Creation and Economic Sustainability: Fish Farming in Focus,” The training was practical, thereby providing valuable insights on the trade as he listed the Fish Value chain and urged everyone to see where their interest laid.
The JMCU retreat successfully fostered cooperation, knowledge exchange, and strategic planning among cooperative members, reinforcing the pivotal role of cooperatives in driving sustainable economic development in Nigeria.

In a stirring convergence of Cooperative Account Managers, Treasurers and Financial Secretaries of Cooperative Societies in Lagos State, the annual Mandatory Professional Development Program (MPDP) of Licensed Cooperative Account Managers and induction of new members was held recently at the LASCOFED Multipurpose Hall. The event, themed “The Role of Lagos State Association of Licensed Account Managers (LASCAM) in the Accountability, Survival, and Development of Cooperatives in Lagos and in Nigeria,” saw a robust participation from stakeholders of the Cooperative Movement in Lagos State.

The Chairman of Cooperative Account Managers Committee of LASCOFED, Mr Jeremiah Athanhode, in his welcome address at the event, stated that the success of a cooperative business is guaranteed only when all stakeholders play their roles adequately. He stated that the role of the cooperative account managers in ensuring the quality of financial reporting is crucial to the stability of the cooperative. “LASCAM, through its members is saddled with the task of defending the quality of financial reporting from the source where the numbers and figures are produced.

Any compromise at this stage could affect the financial health of the Cooperative Business,” he stated. He also congratulated and welcomed the newly licensed Cooperative Account Managers, urging them to serve with passion, diligence, and integrity.

President of Lagos State Cooperative Federation, Barrister Oladipo Shobule delivered the Keynote address where he charged members of Lagos State Licensed Cooperative Account Managers (LASCAM) on effective and efficient service delivery as good ambassadors of LASCOFED. He said LASCOFED was committed to supporting the members of LASCAM individually and collectively. Therefore, challenges impeding progress can be identified with the aim of proffering solutions them.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment was represented at the occasion by a Deputy Director in the Ministry, Mr Omotayo Kazeem. He admonished the account managers and everyone involved in recording and reporting financial transactions to be diligent as their action and inaction can have dire consequences on the fortunes of members.

The resource person, Mr James Gbolagoke who is also a member of LASCAM, fellow of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and other professional bodies provided detailed analysis of the history of LASCAM, financial evolution and history of money in Nigeria. He outlined the essential pillars for the survival and development of any business to include Production, Marketing, Financing and Administration. He highlighted the pressing need for professional financial management within Cooperative Societies to keep pace with these developments.

The lecture also distinguished between the roles of bookkeepers and cooperative account managers within cooperative organizations. While bookkeepers focus on foundational tasks such as posting of transactions and updating of ledgers, cooperative account managers are tasked with higher-level responsibilities; including Preparation of financial statements, credit control, and advising management on financial matters. This differentiation underscores the evolving sophistication of financial management roles within the cooperative movement.

In discussing Cooperative Account Managers potential roles as auditors, Barrister Shobule pointed out the inherent conflict of interest in preparing and auditing accounts. He proposed the creation of a separate audit department to provide the necessary checks and balances, ensuring compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

One of the highlights of the program was a practical demonstration of an Integrated Financial Information System (IFIS), designed to enhance the efficiency of financial record-keeping and reporting. This system aims to address common pitfalls in Cooperative Financial Management, such as undocumented transactions and financial leakages, by providing a comprehensive tracking and summarizing tool for financial events.

The MPDP concluded with a sense of optimism and commitment among participants, reinforced by the vision and strategic direction provided by the speakers. The professional development of cooperative account managers and executives remains a cornerstone for the sustainable growth of cooperative societies in Lagos and beyond.

20 new cooperative account managers were inducted at the MPDP. The newly inducted were charged to imbibe honesty, transparency and dedication as they embark on the journey to service cooperative societies into a prosperous future. The Code of Conduct for members was handed over to the inductees.

Ariel Guarco, ICA President to launch book, Akin-Falaiye charges Cooperatives in Africa to rejig Marketing Cooperatives

Organization of Brazilian Cooperatives (OCB) organized an impressive congress in Brasilia between 14^th and 16^th May, 2024. The Congress themed Empowering Futures: Cooperatives at the forefront of inclusion, resilience and environmental management had over 3000 cooperators in attendance. An international Training organized as a side event of the OCB congress was attended by participants from 20 countries.

The international workshop was sponsored by United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) in collaboration with the Organization of Brazilian Cooperatives (OCB) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil. The workshop aimed to promote sustainable development, increase the resilience of cooperatives worldwide and strengthen the cooperative movement and its contributions to global economic and social progress. The workshop was designed not only to address the challenges faced by cooperatives in today’s dynamic environment, but also to explore innovative solutions and best practices that can be adapted and applied in different contexts.

The opening panel of the International Workshop was attended by the Head of UNDESA’s Training Division, Oleg Serezhin, and the OCB System’s Superintendent, Tânia Zanella. They welcomed the international representatives, presented details of the program for the next few days and officially began the exchange of cooperative knowledge.

The first technical presentation was attended by the President of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), Ariel Guarco, the President of the ICA for the Americas, Graciela Fernandez, and the First Vice President of the ICA for the Americas, José Alves. These outstanding leaders presented why cooperatives are so important for a sustainable future, as well as revealing some regional, global and personal projects aimed at this end.

There was a round table discussion moderated by Professor Sonja Novkovic, Professor at St Mary’s University, Canada. The panelist explained how their organization, country or cooperative was working to ensure social justice and the inclusion of minority groups. Experiences were shared by the President of Instituto Cresol, Alzimiro Thomé, the President of the International Organization of Health Cooperatives, Dr. Carlos Zarco, and the President of the ICA’s Gender Equality Committee for the Americas, Myriam Baez Rojas.

Panelist in one of the sessions, presented case studies from their countries on the importance of cooperatives in overcoming economic crises. Participants included Guillermo Tavernier from Sancor Seguros in Argentina, Dr. Atuwaire from the Kamacos Cooperative in Uganda, and Hilda Ojall from the ICA Africa Gender Equality Committee. The panel was moderated by the National Secretary for Traditional Peoples and Communities and Sustainable Rural Development, Edel Moraes.

In another panel made up entirely of female cooperative leaders, discussions on the topic: Creating Resilient Supply Chains through Cooperative Networks, centered on how their organizations were positioned to promote sustainable supply chains. Participating were representatives of cooperative organizations from the National Cooperative Union of India, Savitri Singh, the Federation of Cooperatives of the Philippines, Tetay Plantilla, and Cooperative Federation of Nigeria (CFN), Ebun Akin-Falaiye. The President of the Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives of Paraguay, Simona Cavazzutti, moderated the panel.

Mrs Ebun Akin-Falaiye, representing Nigeria posited that there was a need for the Cooperative Movement in Nigeria to rejig marketing cooperatives as they existed before the oil boom. She reiterated that the likes of Association of Nigeria Cooperative Exporters (ANCE) and Nigeria Cooperative Wholesales Association played prominent roles assisting cooperative farmers to market their products locally and internationally at good prices.

She also presented opportunities for creating resilient supply chains through cooperatives in Nigeria and Africa to include;

1.  African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA) which aims to boost free flow of goods and services across Africa;

2.  Africa Cooperative Development Strategy (2023-2033) which aims to promote cooperation amongst        cooperatives,

3.  Declaration of a state of Emergency on food production in Nigeria with massive investments in                   mechanization, technology to boost production and;

4.  The Renewed Hope Agenda of the current government in Nigeria and ease of doing business which           presents opportunities for Inter-cooperative as well as international trading using cooperative                   networks.

Moderated by Brazilian professor and cooperative researcher Dr. Alair Ferreira, the workshop’s fourth panel spoke with government representatives from Uruguay, Elbio Fernandez, Paraguay, Carlos Roa, and Brazil, Nelson Andrade, to understand how partnerships with cooperatives can facilitate the implementation of the SDGs.

Bringing the important perspective of cooperatives, the President of the Board of Directors of the cooperative COACEHL, from Honduras, Gloria Soriano, spoke about the inclusion of women and the importance of youth in the future of cooperatives.

Other panelists focused on the participation of cooperatives in business.

The President of the OCB System, Márcio Lopes de Freitas, was present in the international room. The President thanked the international participants for coming and for their commitment to bringing contributions to the discussion.

To close the program of the International Workshop and pay tribute to the cooperatives in Brasilia, the group visited the Central of Recyclable Materials Work Cooperatives of the Federal District. The international participants were welcomed by the President of the center, Aline Sousa. The international group got a close look at the work of the more than 20 cooperatives that operate there. The week of technical contributions and knowledge exchange ended on a high note, learning about the work and importance of cooperatives around different climes.

The meeting in Brasilia was an opportunity to build bridges, forge new partnerships and lay the foundations for future collaborations. Through the discussions, interactive sessions and networking opportunities, participants learnt from one another.

Lagos State Cooperative Federation (LASCOFED) and StarTimes held a business meeting on Friday, 14th June 2024 to discuss the benefits of StarTimes Solar and how it can bring affordable and reliable solar power to Cooperative members and Nigeria at large.

The meeting was held at the LASCOFED Multipurpose Hall in Ogba, Lagos, and key representatives from both organizations attended.

The meeting focused on the different StarTimes Solar solutions available, including 2kva, 3kva, 5kva, and 10kva systems. Attendees learnt about the features and benefits of these systems, such as their long lifespan, low maintenance requirements, and cost-effectiveness.
“We are excited to partner with StarTimes to bring affordable solar power to our members,” said Barr Oladipo Shobule, President of LASCOFED. “This collaboration holds immense potential to alleviate the financial burden of electricity costs for our members and contribute to a more sustainable future for Lagos.”

StarTimes Solar offers a reliable and efficient solution that helps households reduce their reliance on the grid and save money on energy bills.

“StarTimes is committed to providing innovative and affordable solar solutions to Nigerians,” said Mr Ameh Dele, Sales Director of StarTimes. “We believe that our partnership with LASCOFED will help us reach more people and make a real difference in their lives.”

The meeting concluded with a Q&A session, during which attendees had the opportunity to ask questions and learnt more about StarTimes Solar. Both organizations expressed their optimism about the future of their partnership and their commitment to bringing affordable solar power to Lagos.

A delegation of 18 Kenyan cooperative leaders recently embarked on a benchmarking study tour of cooperative societies in Lagos, Nigeria.

The tour was hosted by the Cooperative Federation of Nigeria (CFN) in collaboration with the Lagos State Cooperative Federation (LASCOFED). The week-long tour aimed to deepen the delegates understanding of cooperative management and regulatory frameworks, fostering mutual learning and international cooperation.

The delegation, led by Mr. Jeremiah Kolim Lekoken Korooi commenced the tour with a courtesy visit to the secretariat of Cooperative Movement in Lagos state, LASCOFED secretariat, where they were received warmly by the President of LASCOFED, Barrister Oladipo Shobule and members of the President in Council.

President of LASCOFED in his welcome address, highlighted the significance of the exchange in strengthening cooperative movements of the two countries. This was followed by an educative presentation on ‘Regulatory Framework for Cooperative Societies in Lagos state’, by Mr. Kazeem Omotayo, Deputy Director, Lagos state Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment.

Visits were made to the Cooperative Societies within Lagos State University (LASU) and the Ejikota Cooperative Agricultural Multipurpose Society, a fish processing cooperative.

At LASU, the delegates were received by the President of Ojo Multipurpose Cooperative Union, Mr. Gbenga Ibilola who led them to the office of the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji Bello.

Alhaji Ismail Shabi, 2^nd Vice President of LASCOFED who represented LASCOFED President at the event, appreciated the management of LASU for providing a conducive environment for cooperative societies to operate and thrive in the university.

The delegates posed questions to the leaders of the various cooperative societies within the University to ascertain why there were 8 cooperative societies within the University. The leaders explained that membership was based on common bond and common goals which is one of the things that ensure the success and sustainability of cooperatives.

One of the oldest and vibrant cooperatives in Lagos, Eko Akete Multipurpose Cooperative society, also played host to the delegates from Kenya. The society which has over 13,000 members gave an enlightening and highly educative presentation on Financial Management and Members engagement. After the presentation, one of the outlets of the society, Eko Cooperative Farmers Mart located within Lagos state secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja was visited by the delegates

During the visit, a day was dedicated to training where the Cooperative governance structure in Nigeria was presented by Mrs. Ebun Akin-Falaiye, Executive Secretary of LASCOFED. The training sessions were expository and highly inspiring as Mr. David Olatunji, presented a paper on ‘Leading Cooperatives in VUCA Times.

The tour reached a climax with a ride on ferries owned by The Medicals Cooperative Multipurpose Society. They also visited LASCOMED bakery and the society’s secretariat on Lagos Island.  The delegates were welcomed to Lagos Island (Isale Eko) with a cultural dance. The President of the society, Mrs. Olabisi Oshodi-Bakare, made a presentation on the various units and operations of the cooperative society. In particular, she informed the delegates that the bread which is produced in a hygienic environment is highly nutritious and healthy.

At the conclusion of tour, the participants expressed their appreciation for the warm hospitality and invaluable learning experiences provided by the various cooperative societies they visited. They informed the Cooplight crew that the visit had opened them to new areas of Cooperative business as they dwelt more on Saccos (CTCS) hitherto.

High Chief Tajudeen Oriyomi AYEOLA, President, Cooperative Federation of Nigeria expressed his appreciation to the President of LASCOFED and his team for receiving their counterparts from Kenya warmly.

He appealed for more collaborations and cooperation within the Cooperative Movement in Africa. He hoped that the cooperative sectors in both countries will collaborate more in the spirit of One Africa, One Cooperative.