Bight Newspaper reports that Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has emphasized the need for cooperative societies in the country to adopt global best practices in their operations to contribute significantly to the growth and development of the national economy.
He made this statement during a courtesy visit by the Former Legislators’ Wives Association (FLEWA) to his office in Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo described cooperative societies as strategic engines of growth and stabilization of any economy. He noted that apart from pooling resources together and sharing them among their members, cooperatives can do more to impact society by investing in both profitable and non-profit making ventures.
The Deputy Governor encouraged cooperatives in Bayelsa to partner with the government and other well-meaning organizations to invest in education and other areas of social capital.
He expressed appreciation to the women for supporting the re-election of the Governor and himself and urged the Association to key into the policies and programs of the Governor Diri-administration, especially those on women and youth empowerment.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo also called on FLEWA to take their public enlightenment programs against drug addiction, cultism, and other antisocial vices to primary schools, which he noted have become breeding grounds for such societal ills.
In his words, “Cooperatives are the engines of growth and stability of the economy. Most of the big economies and companies you see started off as cooperatives. The biggest football clubs in Europe were cooperatives that have become very mega investments.
“So, while I will really want to encourage you with your cooperative, I want you to have more than one area of focus. Our cooperatives should do more than contributing money for members in turns.”
Earlier, the President of FLEWA, Mrs. Margaret Boye Debekeme, said the goal of the association was to foster unity and collective development through the pooling of resources for financial self-reliance.
She lauded the development strides of the present administration in the state and solicited the support of the government for their programs lined up for the year, including an enlightenment campaign against cultism in schools.
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