Members of Cooperative societies in Lagos State have been charged to recommit to the principles of cooperatives to ensure a sustainable economy.
The Chief Executive and Principal, United Kingdom Cooperative College, Manchester, UK, Mr Neil Calvet, gave the charge while delivering the maiden convocation lecture of the Lagos State Cooperatives College, LASCOCO, at Oko-Oba Agege.
Speaking on the topic: Concern for The 21st Century Community: What Role Do Cooperatives Have To Play In The Transition To A Sustainable Economy?
Mr Calvet pointed out that all the seven cooperative principles are in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, and as such, members all over the world must strive to ensure sustainability, particularly as it applies to climate change.
“These are already encapsulated in the cooperative philosophy and business models, it is right there in our DNA and has been since the very start. The inherent tensions present in social and environmental needs with economic objectives must be acknowledged and actively managed” he said
On the impact of the topic of the lecture, the Chairman, LASCOCO Governing Council, Mr Oyebowale Raji noted that it was based on cooperative principle number seven, which is about concern for the community.
Mr Raji who pointed out that Climate change is no longer limited to the developed world alone, said it behoves on Cooperative Managers to educate others on how to manage their immediate environment.
He said “Climate Change as we see in Africa stems from deforestation practices that we see in our hinterlands and that is affecting the ecosystem which in effect, is also affecting the various Cooperators that are in that subsector of the cooperative movement. In our various corners, in our various small places, we can try to manage the climate in such a way that everybody will benefit from it”
Earlier in an address of welcome, the Provost of the College, Mr Akorede Ojomu said the lecture was organised to deepen the knowledge of Cooperators and key stakeholders to enable everyone to know the impact of their actions on the environment and learn ways to ensure sustainability.
The lecture was attended by representatives of different cooperative societies in the State and other stakeholders.
Discover more from Radio Nigeria Lagos
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.
