An expert in cooperative investment, Mr Charles Nwabuike has advocated  the establishment of cooperative societies in Rivers State to promote enterprise development among its members.
Nwabuike made the advocacy while speaking on the topic; “Cooperative philosophy as viable retirement planning option”, at a seminar organised by the management and joint unions of Port Harcourt Polytechnic for staff of the institution in Port Harcourt, recently.
Nwabuike, emphasised that workers and the general public should take issues of cooperative development seriously, noting that cooperative platforms offers a glimmer for their economic liberation.
Speaking with The Tide shortly after his presentation, the guest speaker who is the senior registrar, cooperative affairs, Rivers State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, pointed out that the casual approach to cooperative developments has stunted the prospect of achieving greater objectives in cooperative management.
He said cooperative development was a global economic phenomenon wit statutory regulations, and called on the public to take advantage of cooperatives to transform their lives.
He listed the benefits of cooperative societies  to include; easy access to loan, unity of purpose, collective bargaining rural developments, savings, among others.
The cooperative expert also called for the promotion of cooperative development as an area of specialised training and academic discipline. This he noted, will broaden the knowledge of the public on cooperative management and enhance multiplier effect in cooperative development.
Nwabuike also called for public private partnership in the promotion of cooperative affairs.

Taneh Beemene