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By Kenneth Jukpor
The Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Barr. Hassan Bello has advised all members of staff at the Council to become members of the NSC Staff Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society.
Hassan Bello who was speaking during the 22nd Annual General Meeting of the NSC Staff Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society which held on Thursday last week at the Council’s headquarters in Lagos, said there were several benefits for members.
He said; “If I have my way I will make it compulsory for all the staff of the Council to join the co-operative simply because of the expected benefits but since the constitution stipulates voluntary membership, I can only but encourage all staff who are not members to have a rethink and consider joining the co-operative. I assure them that they will not regret in the long run.”
While Hassan Bello revealed that he had been worried about the state of affairs of the co-operative in the past as a result of the non-adherence to laid down criteria for loan disbursements and repayments, he commended the present executives of the co-operative for their timely intervention by auditing and automating the entire financial system.
According to the Executive Secretary who was represented by the Director, Special Duties, Mr. Ignatius Nweke, with the existing level of transparency, the leadership of the co-operative have been able to rebuild the trust and confidence most members have in the co-operative once again.
He expressed confidence that the co-operative could be used as an effective tool for economic development through intervention in specific market place in the sustainable interest of its members.
“I therefore enjoin the Executives to explore areas of the market where they can invest to ensure return on investment for the benefit of members. I urge the executives to sustain the good work they have started” he said.
On his part, the president of the Co-operative, Alhaji Bashir Ambi revealed that the co-operative’s fund had increased by over N100million in the first six months under the new leadership.
“Fellow Co-operators, it would gladden your heart to know that as at April 19th 2017 when the present leadership took over the mantle of leadership, we inherited a sum of N30,442,770.89 (thirty million, four hundred and forty-two thousand, seven hundred and seventy naira and eighty-nine kobo) only, but we have swelled the funds to N131,381,487.05 (one hundred and thirty-one million, three hundred and eighty-one thousand, four hundred and eighty-seven naira and five kobo” the President said during his speech at the event.
Highlighting other achievements of the co-operative under his administration, Alhaji Bashir noted that the co-operative acquired an office space on the 10th floor of the Shippers’ Towers which currently serves as the co-operative’s secretariat.
“We have employed a competent and professional bookkeeper who has a seal from Lagos State Co-operative Federation (LASCOFED) to certify records. We earnestly commenced the automation of the Co-operative Account. So far, more than 80% of the records have been automated and we are pressing on to full automation” the President stated.
He revealed that members now receive SMS alerts of book balances and contributions on quarterly basis, even as he noted that members can now request and receive on the spot details of financial position, contributions and book balances.
He also mentioned the Children Education Loan introduced under his administration as replacement to the suspended Commodity Loan, adding that the new initiative had two-pronged benefits by reducing profligacy on the part of members while affording members and opportunity to invest in their children.
The President concluded by expressing gratitude to the management of Nigerian Shippers’ Council for its support and assistance as well as the Lagos State Director of Co-operatives, Mrs. Zulikat Ibrahim and the Apapa Area Officer, Mr. Babajide Bakare. He also commended members of the co-operative for their trust and support.
