The Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperative Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, has officially inaugurated the second Governing Council of the Lagos State Cooperative College (LASCOCO).
EpeInsights reports that the Commissioner charged the newly appointed board to champion entrepreneurship and support the Ministry’s vision for economic empowerment across the state.
The inauguration, which took place on Wednesday, April 25, at the Ministry’s conference room, was a significant step towards enhancing the impact of LASCOCO in the promotion of cooperative development.
In her address, Commissioner Ambrose-Medebem emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship in the college’s mission and its critical role in fostering grassroots support to drive socio-economic transformation within Lagos State.
“Effective leadership hinges on a clear vision,” Ambrose-Medebem stated. “LASCOCO must maintain unwavering focus on its strategic objectives to ensure the successful achievement of its goals and strengthen its contribution to economic empowerment in Lagos.”
The Commissioner further stressed the importance of collaboration and synergy within the college’s leadership and broader cooperative networks. She expressed satisfaction with the inclusion of the Chairman of the Lagos State Cooperative Federation on the council, reinforcing the importance of unity in achieving meaningful progress.
“Unity and collaboration are indispensable for progress,” she noted. “It is essential that we work together to elevate the standards of cooperative ventures and drive ambitious projects forward.”
Taking inspiration from successful cooperative models, Ambrose-Medebem highlighted the example of Kenya’s Cooperative University, urging LASCOCO to explore potential partnerships with Kenyan institutions to leverage their expertise and technological advancements.
She also called on local cooperatives to engage in the Ministry’s initiatives aimed at creating accessible financing opportunities to further enhance their impact.
The Commissioner reiterated that strong membership and active production within cooperatives are critical to transforming LASCOCO’s operations, boosting enrollment, and generating employment opportunities, which in turn will strengthen the state’s economic prospects.
“The active participation of cooperatives is crucial for transformative projects that will significantly enhance LASCOCO’s enrollment numbers and drive economic prosperity in Lagos,” she affirmed.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Oluwa Gbenga Aina, echoed the Commissioner’s emphasis on collaboration, underscoring the need for accurate and comprehensive record-keeping in order to track progress effectively.
He also praised the inauguration of LASCOCO’s new facility, encouraging the team to adopt proactive public relations strategies to enhance the college’s visibility and reputation.
In his acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated Chairman of the Governing Council, Mr. Raji Oyebowale, pledged to build on the existing foundation of strategic partnerships, infrastructure development, and digital integration, ensuring the continued growth and success of the institution.
Earlier, LASCOCO’s Provost, Mr. Akorede Ajomo, expressed gratitude to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his unwavering support of the college.
He lauded the Governor’s consistent backing, which has helped LASCOCO earn its reputation as the best cooperative college in Nigeria.
Ajomo also commended Commissioner Ambrose-Medebem for her visionary leadership, noting that she had facilitated numerous initiatives that align with the specific needs of Lagos State’s strategic projects, such as the Lagos Free Zone.
These initiatives have enabled LASCOCO to introduce new, internationally benchmarked courses, resulting in the graduation of up to 80 skilled professionals annually, thereby contributing to the state’s human capital development.
