…As Awka South Coalition of Cooperative Societies mobilizes grassroots support for citizen’s’ welfare and development
Citypost News Desk
In a landmark meeting held on Monday at the Awka South Council Chambers, cooperative societies under the newly formed Awka South Coalition of Cooperative Societies resolved to take decisive steps in mobilizing grassroots support for citizens while ensuring accountability and proper utilization of resources.
Addressing the gathering, the National Coordinator, Mr. Chidi Kanu, described cooperative societies as essential vehicles for grassroots development. He emphasized their potential to drive community progress through collective action and accountability.
Highlighting the coalition’s platform, ACTIVE CITIZENS, Kanu explained that it was designed to foster transparency and efficiency among cooperative societies. He urged members to actively monitor their constituency allocations annually and provide feedback to the coalition’s leadership. He also called for the dissemination of vital information about constituency projects and business opportunities to strengthen the coalition’s administrative efforts.
Mr. CJ Igboanusi, Chairman of the Committee on Training and Development, announced the nominees for key leadership positions, which were unanimously endorsed by the members. He stressed the importance of effective training in bridging the gap between cooperative societies and government institutions. “Through proper training, we can ensure cooperative societies are well-equipped to engage constructively with government structures,” Igboanusi stated.
In his inaugural remarks, the Coalition Secretary, Mr. Ceaser Sams Obidile, thanked representatives of cooperative societies for their participation, affirming their pioneer status in the coalition. He acknowledged the logistical challenges of organizing the meeting and expressed gratitude to Awka South LGA Chairman, Prince Chinedu Okafor, who magnanimously provided the Council Chambers free of charge for the event. The council chairman was represented by the council secretary, Hon. Peter Anosike.
In a bold resolution, the coalition decided to invite National Assembly representatives Senator Victor Umeh and Hon. Prof. Lilian Orogbu to a town hall meeting. The lawmakers will be expected to brief constituents on the status of ₦7.8 billion worth of constituency projects allocated to constituency. The coalition seeks clarity on whether the projects have been completed, are ongoing, or yet to commence, as this will guide its informed decisions moving forward.
Steering Committee and Key Appointments
The coalition formally inaugurated its steering committee and several subcommittees to ensure its operational efficiency. Key appointments included:
Coordinator General: Prof. Collins Nwogwugwu
Secretary: Ceaser Sams Obidile
Spokesman/Publicity Secretary: Dr. Nwuche Okechukwu
Woman Leader: Mrs. Anthonia Njideka Ezuchu
Subcommittees:
- Committee on Welfare:
- Committee on Mobilization:
- Committee on Media:
- Committee on Training and Development:
- Committee on Inquiry and Good governance
- Committee on Finance
Focus on Empowerment and Accountability
The coalition’s primary focus is to identify and support genuine, registered cooperative societies within Awka South. By providing them with access to resources and ensuring proper utilization of funds, the coalition aims to foster grassroots development, accountability, and sustainable growth across the council area.
The meeting marked a significant step toward uniting cooperative societies under a common vision for accountability and progress, setting a precedent for grassroots-driven governance in Awka South.
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