We are poised to rebuild cooperative movement in Western Nigeria — Odua Cooperative

The Odua Cooperative Conglomerate Limited has said it is poised to rebuild the cooperative movement in western Nigeria through the strides it is taking.

The president of the cooperative, Felix Bamidele Ajibode, during a courtesy visit to Tribune House on Wednesday, said the visit was founded on the mutual belief that Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the founder of the Nigerian Tribune, was the progenitor of the cooperative movement in the region.

Ajibode, who was accompanied on the visit by the General Manager of the cooperative, Adesope Adekunle, said, “There is no way you will mention the cooperative movement in western Nigeria without linking it to Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

When he was the premier of the Western Region, he released one million pounds to the cooperative movement in western Nigeria.

With that amount of money, we started the cooperative movement, which was called the Cooperative Union of Western Nigeria. The Cooperative Bank and other properties were also established.

“Our intention is to rebuild the cooperative movement in the western region. It has passed through changes, turbulence, and wreckage, but we thank God that we can salvage some of the legacy properties of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

“In our repackaging and rebuilding efforts, we want to have an official paper where we will be publishing cooperative-related matters and blowing the trumpet of cooperatives through the Tribune newspaper.

“We are happy that the Tribune, which is the oldest surviving newspaper in Nigeria, has remained because it was laid on a very solid foundation of transparency and accountability and the selection of go-getters in the organisation.”

On sustainability plans, Ajibode noted that the cooperative established factories involved in the production of yam and plantain flour, bottled water, etc., as well as the provision of asset finance and microcredit to cooperative societies and women’s cooperative organisations.

He added that the cooperative is focused on women and youth inclusion in its operations to secure its future.

In her response, the Chief Accountant, African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, Olufisayo Oluremi, who received the delegation on behalf of the company, noted that the Nigerian Tribune, following in the steps of the late Chief Awolowo, is always interested in anything that advances society.

Oluremi appreciated the cooperative for identifying with the Tribune family and promised a mutually beneficial partnership between the organisations aimed at promoting an egalitarian society.

She said, “African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc is an institution that reaches out to the public through valuable information involving every area of human life through our dailies and our website.

“Concerning your request to rebuild the cooperative movement, Tribune always has an interest in contributing to any programme that will add value to society.

We will contribute in our capacity to publicise your programmes so that the goals and objectives of establishing the conglomerate and your rebuilding efforts will be achieved.”

Other staff members of the ANN Plc present during the visit include the Group Political Editor, Kunle Oderemi; the Head, Human Resources, ‘Toyin Ibitunde; and the Assistant Manager, Administration, Bukola Awolowo.

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