Imo lawmaker organises women farmers into cooperatives
Senator Francis Chukwuma Ibezim, representing Imo North in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, has mobilised women, especially farmers in his constituency and positioned them for government financial support.
In doing this, the Distinguished Senator has collaborated with the SFI Partners to formalise the registration of loosely formed rural women cooperatives to make them bonafide cooperative societies under the Nigerian Cooperative Societies Act of 2004.
Ibezim and the SFI Partners, a volunteer community development group aim to encourage existing women cooperatives and establish new ones, drawn from and the six local councils that constitute Imo North, ahead of the farming harvest season.
“The groups’ registration is part of the ongoing processes to aid them in their preparation for the processing of agricultural products coming from their farms during the season,” the lawmaker said.
Registered members have also been encouraged with monetary awards to aid their efforts to build their cooperative groups.
While some cooperatives are focused on Cassava processing, rice milling, palm oil, palm kernel and palm kernel oil extracting, others would look to animal husbandry, poultry, fish farming and other livestock productions.
The lawmaker explained that the essence of formalising these rural cooperatives is to give them one voice and the relevant organisational structure to benefit from future government programmess geared towards helping cooperative societies across the country.
Ibezim also lauded the noble initiatives of SFI Partners and their selfless service and sincere stewardship and support for the betterment of Imo North Senatorial District.
The task of developing Imo North is and arduous one this time in history and all hands must be on deck. The foundations we lay today could well be the pillars of our future sustainability. Like SFI Partners, you too can join in the development of Imo North,” he said.
Urging the people not to be dismayed, he expressed optimism that ‘together we shall conquer the uncertainties of today.
“I have a strong belief in the resilience of my people and I am encouraged daily by the efforts of both our youths and elder statesmen amidst strife and hardship.”
