Speeches

Cooperative Merit Award Night

Jul 30, 2009 - Our gathering tonight is a mark of our confidence and trust in one another about what we can achieve when we are united on a common purpose.

This year’s Annual International Cooperative Day celebration in Lagos State, in particular this Cooperative Merit Award for outstanding Societies and members of the Cooperative Movement in the State, is an opportunity for us to identify with the International Cooperative Movement and take stock of the activities and progress of our affiliate organization in the State.

As the most State with the highest registered cooperatives in the country, numbering 10,000 in all spheres of the economy and social strata with a total share capital estimated at N30billion, the role and impact of cooperative societies in the economy of the State, particularly for our mega-city status is worthy of appraisal and celebration in a gathering of this nature.

But as we celebrate, let us be mindful of the purpose of the Annual International Day Celebration, which is to increase awareness on Cooperatives and highlight the complementary nature of the goals and objectives with national and international Agencies, movements towards the attainment of socio-economic development.

On this note, I wish to express my delight to join you on today’s occasion and celebrate this annual event that has become part of our ways to appreciate what you are doing in your localities and various associations.

I wish to associate myself with this 3-days event, comprising a symposium and cooperative quiz competitions held simultaneously at the three Senatorial Districts; as well as lecture on the theme of the event with a raffle draw and concluded with this merit award night.

These events have provided sufficient enlightenment on the theme for this year’s celebration “Driving Global Recovery through Cooperatives”, which coincide with the goals of the present Administration whose developmental efforts are geared towards providing an enabling environment for investors, especially in the face of the current global financial crisis.

It is common knowledge that the business of governance and participatory democracy is based on the principle of cooperatives. The State programme aimed at the eradication of slums, the beautification of the environment, enhancement of security, and especially the socio-economic well-being of the people are being implemented with the full cooperation of all citizens of the State, including the cooperators who numbered over six million able body members of the population.

It is in realization of the objectives of the Cooperative Movement that Government has decided to use the Community Development approach to reach out to its citizenry in the nooks and crannies of the State. A lot of people and Societies are involved in the various programmes and projects being implemented, most especially the micro-credit facilities. The involvement of the Cooperators that are utilizing and converting waste materials to wealth such as the recycling of discarded pure water polythene bags is highly commendable. The Lagos State Micro-Finance Scheme which was recently launched supports the Thrift and Credit Operation of the Cooperative Movement in the State. The scheme would be expanded to the coming years and I urge all Cooperative Societies to take full advantage of this Scheme.

I wish to acknowledge that the Cooperative Movement in Nigeria started in Lagos State and has developed to a status that other States of the Federation have not been able to achieve. We are indeed very proud of all of you and for all your efforts to ensure that Lagos remains the centre of excellence in all spheres. I therefore charge the Executive of Lagos State Cooperative Federation (LASCOFED) to sustain the tempo and attain greater heights for other States to emulate. Let me assure you that this Administration will continue to do all that is necessary to provide an enabling environment for the growth and development of the Movement and its sustainability in our State.

The recognition being given today to the individuals and organizations whose efforts have made the Cooperative Movement successful in the State is part of our Government’s effort to appreciate hard work, diligence and contribution towards the attainment of the State’s 10-Point Developmental Agenda. I want to remind you that the reward for hard work is more work.

The State Government is proud of you all. To the awardees, we congratulate you on this your personal and collective achievements. The Organizations that allowed the Movement to thrive and grow in their domains are equally appreciated. The involvement of corporate organizations in this year’s celebration is an evidence of their goodwill and corporate social responsibility. This is also in line with our Public Private Sector Partnership in project implementation.

Before I conclude, let me emphasize that the present Administration is committed to improving the quality of life of its citizens. The involvement of the Societies in members entrepreneurial development, housing, vehicle acquisition, children education financing, consumer and household assets acquisition are ways of reducing our cash and carry system of transaction and contributing to the well being of our people. The height that has been achieved by cooperatives in this direction has to be sustained and I wish to affirm my commitment to give all necessary assistance to any cooperative organization that needs the service of the State Government.

In concluding, let me reiterate the commitment of the State Government in according Cooperatives its pride of place in the economic development of the State. I want to congratulate all the nominees and the eventual Award winners in all categories. Let me implore others to work harder so that they can be winners next year.

Once again, accept my congratulations.

I thank you all for listening and may God bless you.

Eko o ni baje o!

MR. BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA (SAN)
GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE