Ogun HOS Applauds Critical Role Of Cooperatives In Driving Business Growth of Members

The critical role of cooperatives has been described as not merely a social or savings organisation but strategic economic institutions capable of driving business growth and ensuring that members' products and services effectively meet market demands.

The Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Olanrewaju Saka stated this in a keynote address when he declared open the year 2026 Mandatory Continuous Professional Training (MCPT) put together by the Institute of Cooperative Professionals of Nigeria (ICOPRON) for Cooperative Professionals and other stakeholders in the South West, at Idi- Aba, Abeokuta.

 Speaking on the theme of the training, "Cooperatives: Supporting Market-Led Production for Members' Business", said the time was not only apt, but timely as cooperative societies could enhance their relevance, competitiveness and sustainability in today's dynamic economic environment if they focus on market-led productions.

He urged all the stakeholders to maximize the opportunity at their disposal by learning actively and applying the acquired knowledge to all their operations, added that it was through supportive policies and committed membership that the cooperative movement could be strengthened and its full potentials harnessed for the overall economic development of the State and the nation at large.

He commended the Institute's commitment at ensuring that cooperative professionals and stakeholders across the country benefit from continuous professional development, as it remained essential for driving the expected growth and development within the cooperative ecosystem.

"The Ogun State Government under the leadership of Prince Dapo Abiodun remains passionate about and highly supportive of the cooperative sector because of its proven capacity to stimulate both rural and urban economic growth. A recent and notable example of this commitment is the provision of a N500 million revolving fund to the State Cooperative Federation", the HoS said.

In an opening remark, the National President, ICOPRON, Dr. Bunmi Fajobi, revealed that the National Council on Cooperative Affairs has approved ICOPRON as the only organ for professionalising cooperative practice and had been included in all statutory committees in charge of cooperative governance in the country, calling for the continued cooperation of all the professionals.

In separate goodwill messages, the Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperatives, Hon. Ademola Balogun, the President, Ogun State Cooperative Federation Limited (OGSCOFED), Alhaji Wasiu Olaleye and a professor of Economics, Prof. John Aihonsu, said the training was suitable, timely and commendable as it was meant to translate to professional efficiency within the State and the country at large.

They enjoined the participants to take good advantage of the opportunity to network, innovate and adopt modern techniques in discharging their professional duties, as enabling environment would continue to be provided to make the cooperative sector thrive and impact the economy positively.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of award to the Head of Service, Mr. Iskeel Saka and the Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperatives, Hon. Ademola Balogun for their support to the movement.