From Abdullahi Jalaluddeen Kano.
The Kano state government has pledged to rebuild the Cooperatives Department of the Kano state Polytechnic which was gutted by fire, many years ago.
The state Commissioner for Higher Education, Dr Mariya Mahmud made the pledge at a forum organised by the Polytechnic to commemorate World Cooperatives day.
She said with regards to the importance of the Cooperatives as a course of study,the state government deemed it necessary to reconstruct the fire gutted department at the school.
Dr Marita Mahmoud Explained that International cooperatives day was important and the theme of the 2021, came at a good time because of the decline in economies due to the Corona Virus Pandemic.
“The aim of the 2021 world Cooperatives Day theme, is to create awareness, rescue businesses and initiate new business ideas, as many have been affected by the pandemic.”
In a remark that Legal Adviser of Aassociation of Local Governments Of Nigeria(ALGON) Kano chapter, Barr. Munir Dahiru, highlighted the need for more cooeprative bodies at the grassroot level.
He said that there was need for advocacy on formation of cooperative societies at local government levels, because they are the grassroot.
In a presentation, Dr Umar Muhammad, the Director School for Rural Technology and Enterpreneuship Development Rano, advocated for more awareness on Cooperatives.
He said that principle of cooperation amongst cooperatives must be encouraged to poster collaboration and allow access to capital.
“Members should be encouraged not to join cooperatives with the sole motive of benefitting from one form of intervention or the other.”
He commended the School of Polytechnics and Management studies in providing enabling environment for friendly associations to strive.
Earlier , the Director Cooperatives of the Kano state Ministry of Commerce, revealed that there were 49, 914 registered cooperatives in the state.
He highlited the need for more cooperatives societies, in order to boost socio-economic activities of the state.
The function was organised in collaboration with the Institute of Cooperatives Professionals (ICORPON), to create awareness on importance of Cooperatives to economic development.