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Edo Commissioner advocates for more collaboration with cooperative Societies

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The Honourable Commissioner in the Ministry of Business, Trade and Cooperatives, Honourable. Patrick Iria Uanseru, has called for more collaborative efforts from all Cooperative societies in Edo State to achieve the much needed socio economic development for the people.

Hon. Uanseru made the call at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) during an all stakeholders meeting with executive members of Cooperative societies across Edo State.

The Commissioner in his opening remarks pointed out that, the Make Edo Great Again(MEGA) vision of the executive governor of Edo State, Dr. Godwin Obaseki, can only be realised if cooperative societies across the state, rise up to their responsibilities for the socio-economic development of the State.

The Commissioner provided an overview of the Ministry’s mission, goals, and key initiatives for cooperatives operating in the state.

Hon. Uanseru while emphasizing that, the issues of accountability and transparancy were sacrosanct, frowned at situations where cooperatives blatantly go against the law by refusing to make their books available for auditing.

He warned unregistered cooperatives parading themselves as fully functional cooperatives to desist and do the needful by getting registered with the ministry.

Representatives from various cooperatives shared insights into their respective cooperative societies, highlighting their contributions to the local economy and the challenges they face.
These challenges included access to finance, technical training, marketing support, and infrastructure.

There were various contributions on how the Ministry and cooperatives could collaborate effectively.
Several potential areas of collaboration were also identified.

On capacity building, Hon. Uanseru indicated that, the Ministry will be organizing trainings and workshops to enhance the skills and knowledge of cooperative members, focusing on areas such as business management, financial literacy, and modern Agriculture, as well as strategies for marketing cooperative products both locally and internationally .

He suggested organizing trade fairs, exhibitions, and linking cooperatives with potential buyers.

Addressing the issue of finance, he said, the Ministry proposed the establishment of a cooperative partnership with financial institutions to facilitate easier access to loans and grants for cooperative members.

He gave the assurance that, the Ministry of cooperatives was committed to advocacy policies that promote and protect cooperative interests.

The Commissioner expressed enthusiasm about the potential impact of the collaborative efforts as thanked the cooperative representatives for their valuable inputs.
He reiterated the ministry’s commitment to working closely with the cooperatives to achieve shared goals.

At the end of the meeting, a joint action plan was drafted, outlining specific steps and timelines for collaboration. These among others included, regular stakeholder meetings to monitor progress and address challenges; development of training programs tailored to cooperative needs; identification of suitable markets for cooperative products.

Executive members from a total of 69 Cooperatives Societies were present at the meeting.

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Flexible Workplace Solutions berths in Abuja as Regus Partners with Chelsea Hotel

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From left: Marc Descrozaille, CEO, EMEA, IWG; Country Manager, IWG, Ayo Akinmade and Director, Chelsea Group Limited, Kenechi Chidolue, during a partnership between Chelsea Group Limited and IWG in Abuja, recently

Following the growing demand for adaptable workplace solutions in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), a leading flexible workspace provider under IWG, has signed an agreement with Chelsea Hotel to unveil a premium 1,500-square-meter flexible workplace in the Central Business District.

The partnership, which was formalized on Tuesday on the 5th Floor of Chelsea Hotel, Plot 123 Cadastral Zone A0, is aimed at delivering tailored workspace solutions that meet the dynamic needs of modern professionals and businesses.

The innovative workspace offerings will include co-working spaces, private offices, and high-tech meeting rooms, designed to enhance productivity, foster collaboration, and provide flexible options for businesses of all sizes.

“Regus is committed to shaping the future of work by delivering adaptable, premium solutions that enable businesses to thrive. This partnership with Chelsea Hotel reflects our shared vision to empower professionals with world-class workspace environments,” said Marc Descrozaille, EMEA CEO of Regus.

With the growing demand for adaptable workplace solutions, this partnership reinforces the position of Regus and Chelsea Hotel as leaders in meeting the evolving expectations of Nigeria’s business community.

This milestone marks Regus’ first collaboration with a hotel group in Nigeria, following similar successful ventures in other parts of Africa, including Ghana.

Speaking at the partnership signing ceremony held at Chelsea Hotel in Abuja, Regus Country Manager, Mr. Ayo Akinmade, expressed excitement about the venture.
He highlighted the potential of this partnership to redefine workspace solutions in Nigeria, starting with a 1,500-square-meter facility on the hotel’s fifth floor.

“This is the first time in Nigeria we are partnering with a hotel group. We are very excited because we know the experience we’ve had elsewhere can and will be replicated here,” said Mr. Akinmade.

The Country Manager revealed that the partnership is likely to extend beyond Abuja, with plans to explore other Chelsea Hotel locations across Nigeria, including Lagos. “Chelsea Group operates in several locations, and this collaboration could serve as a precursor to expansions in Lagos and other cities,” he noted.

The new workspace in Abuja is designed to offer a blend of comfort and functionality, combining the expertise of both Regus and Chelsea Hotel to meet the evolving needs of professionals.
The project is set to launch in four months, with stakeholders and customers invited to preview the space upon completion.

With two existing locations in Nigeria, Regus views this partnership as a strategic move to enhance its footprint while delivering customer-focused, flexible workspace solutions.

The signing event was attended by key executives, including Regus EMEA CEO Marc Descrozaille, Sales Director for Nigeria Mr. Henry Onyeche, and Chelsea Group Chairman Chief Patrick Chidolue, along with other dignitaries and team members from both organizations.

This collaboration signals a new era in workplace solutions in Nigeria, merging the strengths of a global workspace leader and a leading hospitality brand to create environments that foster productivity and growth.

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Paymenex Introduces OneCard Africa, Simplifying Payments Across the Continent

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In a significant step to enhance ease of payment across Africa, fintech network Paymenex has launched OneCard Africa—a digital payment card designed to streamline cross-border transactions for individuals and businesses alike. Unveiling the card in Abuja, CEO Dr. Kingsley Chibuzor Aguoru highlighted OneCard’s broad acceptance in African countries and its ability to operate in all African currencies, eliminating the hassle of currency conversions within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

OneCard Africa is available as a debit, prepaid, and credit card, allowing users with or without existing bank accounts to access its features. With a focus on flexibility, OneCard offers multiple payment options, including mobile, QR code, email, SMS, and social media, with strong customer authentication for secure transactions.
The card has already proven effective in Cameroon, where it was piloted for contactless toll payments in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Cameroon Postal Services.

Dr. Aguoru emphasized OneCard’s support for African businesses, which can accept payments through various platforms such as mobile apps, websites, and in-store points of sale.
Users also earn reward points with each transaction, encouraging consumer loyalty. Uniquely designed for African currencies, OneCard avoids costly currency conversions typically associated with international digital cards, reducing transaction costs and promoting financial inclusion.

Since its founding in 2007, Paymenex has focused on building affordable, alternative payment networks suited to emerging markets.
With OneCard Africa, Paymenex aims to create a strong financial ecosystem that empowers Africans to navigate seamless cross-border payments without the constraints of traditional networks.

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Nigeria’s financial markets receive boost with $900m Dollar Bond Sale

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The Nigeria’s financial markets have received boost after the Federal Government of Nigeria successfully launched its first domestic dollar-denominated bond, raising over $900 million and marking a significant milestone in the country’s financial strategy.

This groundbreaking bond sale, led by the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), has generated significant interest from local and international investors, demonstrating confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic policies and development plans.

A statement by Mohammed Manga, Director of Information and Public Relations explained that the success of the bond sale has bolstered Nigeria’s economic resilience and consolidated its position as a leader in Africa’s financial markets as it has set a new precedent for other African nations.
The statement highlighted the achievement to have signaled a new chapter in Nigeria’s financial strategy, aimed at boosting economic resilience and fostering long-term growth.

This landmark bond sale the statement indicated, has the potential for innovative financial solutions to drive economic growth and development in Africa.

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