The lingering crisis that has caused lingering disaffection between
the State Government and the Federation of Ekiti State Cooperatives
Limited (FESCOOP) has finally been laid to rest at a reconciliatory
meeting of the two bodies in Ado-Ekiti.
The meeting, which took place at the Ministry of Investment, Trade and
Industries, was attended by the Commissioner in the Ministry, Chief
David Olusoga, his Permanent Secretary, Barr. Bamidele Arowosola, the
Director of Cooperative Services, Mr. Dayo Falua and the Board of
Directors of FESCOOP, led by its President, Chief Jide Akomolafe, was
the first after the judgment delivered at an Ado-Ekiti High Court in
July in favour of the state.
In his opening remarks, the President of FESCOOP, Chief Jide Akomolafe
said that the crisis was uncalled for as the two bodies have had a
lengthy and cordial working relationship which must not be allowed to
degenerate further.
According to the President, it was not unusual for parties to have
misunderstanding in the course of their relationship, but the ability
to resolve same as quickly as possible was the beauty of it, adding
that their visit was to deliberate on the way forward in the amicable
resolution of the crisis and restore the previous amiable relationship
that has been ruffled.
He said that the crisis was inherited by all the present active
key-players, which has been unproductive and detrimental to the growth
and development of cooperative movements in the state.
Corroborating the position of the President, the first Vice President
of FESCOOP, Alh Gani Ogunleye assured that the board would facilitate
the restoration of ejected staff of the ministry back to their former
offices as a mark of genuine reconciliation.
He promised that the outcome of the meeting would be communicated to
all the societies and unions under FESCOOP, with an appeal to
government to support the body by releasing the grant promised by Dr
Kayode Fayemi during his first term as well as donating a bus to run
its activities.
In his own comments, the Permanent Secretary, Barr. Bamidele
Arowosola, advised the umbrella body of cooperative movements to shun
rumour mongering which has been attributed as the source of most
crisis, with a charge not to allow a repeat of such which would only
amount to stagnation.
He warned the apex body for the cooperative societies to be mindful
and meticulous about the interest rates on loan agreements entered
into with the banks on behalf of their members, which he said, had
accounted for most of the sudden death and suicide reports recorded in
the recent times.
Responding, the Commissioner, Chief David Olusoga commended the
leadership of FESCOOP for embracing peace, after the protracted
litigation between the state government and the body.
Chief Olusoga, quoting from the book of Isaiah chapter 43 verses 18
and 19 said that the crisis should be completely let go because
cooperative movements could not survive without the supervision and
regulation of their activities by government.
The Commissioner counseled that the court case should be seen as a
means of straightening curves and shedding light on the obscures in
the operations of the two major players for the benefit and protection
of the cooperators.
Olusoga called on the body to venture into establishing cottage, small
and medium scale industries in support of government’s efforts to
eliminate unemployment in the state, adding that the present
administration was determined to drive the state economy through
cooperative movements.
Briefing the meeting earlier, the Director of Cooperative Services,
Mr. Dayo Falua said that the court case that emanated from the crisis
has been finally laid to rest in favour of the State Government at an
Ado-Ekiti High Court in July this year, adding that FESCOOP leadership
should facilitate the restoration of ejected staff of the Cooperative
Services Department to their buildings at the local government areas.