Imo: Billion Naira Hijacked Properties Recovered, as Uzodimma Revitalizes Cooperative Societies

By Ikenna Orioha. 

Governor Hope Uzodimma has broken an age-long economic jinx as he recovered Multi- Billion Naira Properties owned by Cooperative Societies from the hands of greedy persons in Imo State.

This is achieved after the Governor revitalized the moribund Cooperative Societies which was renamed “Imo States Cooperative Movement”, comprising Farmers, Agriculturists, Traders, Industrialists and Manufacturers with the objective of assisting cooperators access credit/ loans, micro leasing and consumer brokerage, who are also entitled to consume goods as edible products: rice, beans, garri and vegetable oil, on credit.

Imo State Cooperative Movement has Temporary Office at Number 89 Lake Nwaebere Street, Aladimma Estate, behind Aladimma Police State, Owerri.

Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Barr Kingsley Ononuju, stated this while addressing imolites during the 2020 Commemoration of International Day of Cooperative Societies/ Launching of the Owerri Zonal Office of the Cooperatives, held at Aladimma Shopping Mall, Owerri, on Friday.

The Commissioner, who represented Governor Hope Uzodimma at the event which began with Roadshow and Worship to God, disclosed that “Multi- Billion Naira Properties belonging to Imo Cooperative Societies that were hijacked by Shylock individuals, have been restored. This is achieved by the effort and strength of the Shared Prosperity administration after 15 years of challenges”.

Barr Kingsley Ononuju, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Imo State

Ononuju, while reflecting that the Cooperative Movement is fully back on track which would be supervised by government, reminded that the Cooperative Movement is a platform where people can be and get empowered financially with a view to stimulating economic and development.

Ononuju, who stressed that the Governor believes solidly in the prosperity, wellbeing and welfare of his subjects, averred that leadership is critical as it must follow good governance anchored on rule of law, due process, accountability and proficiency, things he affirmed would be Uzodimma’s guiding principles as he governs the State.

The Commissioner thus thanked the cooperators for involving in such a financial organization to beat poverty and vulnerability.

Assuring that over one million members across Imo State are entitled to benefit from the credit loan from World Donor Agencies, leader, Imo Cooperative Movement, Elder Uzoka Hipolite, explained that there are many benefits attached to the Cooperatives, commending government for linking the cooperators to the credit loan which he said will go along way to relive them when finally accessed.

Uzoka, who reiterated that the Cooperative Societies are adding their voices in support for Sustainable Development Goals (MDG), begged government to meet their challenges of office accommodation, training and retraining of members, reaching out to old cooperators at the rural communities to help them grow their economy and enhance good living.

Imo States Cooperative Movement, on Roadshow in Owerri, during the 2020 International Day for Cooperative Societies held in Owerri on Friday

Giving a lecture at the event, Professor of Economics, Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State, Magnus Chidi Onuoha, advised cooperators against endangering the environment, remarking that climate change or global warming is real, a natural occurrence he remarked, “affects livelihood especially small scale farming”, emphasising that cooperatives societies are tool to fighting climate change and poverty.

Prof Onuoha maintained that there is no shareholders in cooperative movement, but stakeholders concerned with the welfare of members, who are deeply passionate to building trust, norms, reciprocity and connectedness for effective networking of business.

The event has “Cooperatives for Climate Action… in Support of the Sustainable Development Goal” as theme.

Obviously, over one million cooperators have already been registered with members applying for credit loan to stimulate their businesses and live well.

The event was graced by government officials, party members, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, including members and non members from across Imo State, who expressed concern over the revitalization of Cooperative Societies in the State by the Shared Prosperity administration championed by Governor Hope Uzodimma

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