As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate the International Day of Cooperatives, residents of Port Harcourt reflect on the role cooperatives play in fostering economic development and community empowerment.
Co-operatives have been acknowledged as associations through which individuals can effectively improve their lives while contributing to the economic, social and political advancement of their community and nation.
The International Day of Cooperatives, which is celebrated annually on the first Saturday in July, was launched by the International Cooperatives Alliance to raise awareness of the contributions of cooperatives to economic development, social justice and community building.
There are several benefits derived from being a member of a Cooperative association, as highlighted by Mrs Chidiadi Achinike, a member of the Rivers State University cooperative.
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However, just like every other thing in life, Cooperative associations in Nigeria are not without challenges.
They include poor market access, inadequate funding, weak governance and management as well as limited technical knowledge, among others.
To surmount the challenges, an Agricultural Cooperative Society, Mr Richard Charles, called for capacity building for members to enable them to maximise the benefits of cooperatives.
For Mr Abraham Ossah, it is important to acknowledge the significant contribution of cooperatives in supporting government developmental policies that are geared towards ensuring economic growth of individuals in various communities.
With 2025 tagged as the year of Cooperatives, the theme for this year’s commemoration is ‘Cooperatives: Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions for a Better World.’
As Nigeria celebrates the International Day of Cooperatives, it is important to harness the power of cooperation to create a brighter future for all, where every individual and community can thrive and reach their full potential.
