Women in Cooperative Inaugurated in Jos

By Rifkatu Kyemut

In Jos, Plateau State, a heart warming ceremony was held by the Plateau State Cooperative Federation, PLASCOFED, which inaugurated it’s Women Wing, called Women in Cooperative.

The event was a landmark,celebrating the unity and resilience of women across the state and was held at the Nurses Green House along Rayfield Road.

In her welcome address, President of PLASCOFED, Mrs. Hannatu Paul Mershak expressed thanks to all for taking time to grace the occasion. She noted that Women in Cooperative was established to promote economic development and social welfare as a response to economic challenges such as poverty, unemployment and lack of credit facilities among others.

Mrs. Hannatu emphasized that cooperatives help to empower women to enable them have control over their lives, and make informed decisions and take actions to achieve their goals and aspirations.

She charged the women to continue to be resilience in the face of challenges as they find ways to thrive and be true care givers, providing support and nourishment to their families, communities and the society at large.

Earlier in her keynote address, former Director of Cooperatives, Ministry of Commerce and Industry Mrs Martha Tapgun commended the effort of the board and organisers for taking this step. She expressed that as corporators, their core values have kept them moving hence they must stick to it if they will succeed.

Mrs. Martha pointed out that as mothers they must scold their children to help them be the better persons they want them to be and encouraged that they participate in all cooperative activities so as to contribute their quota for the growth and development of their families and society.

Chairperson of Gender and Equal rights Commission, Barr. Olivia Dazyem the special guest in her speech spoke passionately about the potentials of women in Plateau State and the importance of cooperatives and mutual support.

She said the event marks the beginning of a new era, where women will take the centre stage in the economic growth of our dear State and pointed out that the Governor, Barr. Caleb Manassah Mutfwang is passionate about the issues that concerns women and the girl child therefore this is a platform that will enable him meet and support them for the development and economic growth of the state.

The host, Director of Cooperatives, Ministry of Cormerce and Industry Mrs. Elianah Dalong who inaugurated the officials to steer the affairs of Women in Cooperative in the State expressed her joy and fulfillment with the caliber of women inaugurated believing they will put in their best to make it succeed.

Elianah charged the women to support the officials for greater exploits.

The officials inaugurated include Mrs. Patricia Manassah, Chairperson, Jennifer Yarima, member, Vivina Udi, member, Cecilia Badi, member, others are Blessing Danat and Dorcas Lodik to serve as Secretary while Mrs. Hannatu Paul Mershak is the Adviser.

Responding on behalf of the officials, chairperson, Mrs. Patricia Manassah thanked the women for finding them worthy to serve and added that there will be no officials without members therefore they must work as a team so that they will all succeed. She added that the women support is what will keep them and the cooperatives moving.