The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has reaffirmed its dedication to promote cooperative enterprise as a leading force of inclusive economic growth, financial inclusion and sustainable community development as it commemorated the 2026 International Day of Cooperatives with the international community.
Addressing the occasion on Saturday, ACCI President, Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, PhD, said cooperatives are vital institutions that promote shared prosperity, economic resilience and social inclusion. “Cooperative societies still offer practical solutions to the economic challenges facing the people, entrepreneurs and businesses through collective ownership, mutual assistance and the provision of affordable financial services,” he said.
Obegolu said the Chamber would continue to consolidate cooperative activities within the organisation as part of its wider objective to improve the welfare of members and workers and contribute to national economic development. “A buoyant cooperative movement is complementary to the government’s efforts in the promotion of entrepreneurship, job creation and wealth generation,” he said.
Also addressing, ACCI Vice President (Finance) and Chairman, ACCI Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Dr. Iliyasu Gashinbaki, spoke on the role of cooperatives in enhancing the socio-economic well-being of members.
ACCI Multipurpose Cooperative has continued to offer member-friendly savings schemes, lending facilities and other services that help members improve their financial security and build their businesses, he said.
Gashinbaki encouraged individuals, enterprises and organisations to adopt the cooperative model as a practical tool to promote financial discipline, shared wealth and economic resilience. “Transparency, trust, prudent management and active participation of members are still the bedrock for successful cooperative societies,” he said.
ACCI Director General, Mr. Agabaidu Jideani, also praised the leadership of ACCI Multipurpose Cooperative for its commitment to members’ welfare, describing cooperatives as strategic platforms for advancing financial inclusion, boosting productivity and supporting the Chamber’s institutional objectives.
He committed that the administration of the Chamber will continue to deliver the institutional support and enabling environment that will allow the cooperative to grow through solid governance and projects that promote broader engagement of staff and members.
The International Day of Cooperatives is celebrated every year in order to recognise the contribution of cooperative firms to sustainable development, poverty reduction and social solidarity. This year’s celebration underlines ACCI’s commitment to champion the cooperative movement as a pathway to economic empowerment, inclusive prosperity and sustainable national development.
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