In a dynamic economy like Nigeria where small-scale farmers and entrepreneurs often struggle to compete, cooperative societies have emerged as a game-changer.
This was the central message at a capacity-building workshop organized by Sunflower Cooperative Society Ltd held recently in Abuja for its trustees.
The workshop emphasized that cooperatives thrive on the principle of resource aggregation —pooling together skills, funds, and market access to achieve larger objectives that individual members could not attain alone.
Under the theme ‘Understanding Cooperatives: Benefits, Responsibilities, and Best Practices’, the event explored how collective effort can drive sustainable growth in today’s competitive marketplace.
The President of Sunflower Cooperative Society Ltd, Nemieboka Godson set the tone with a stirring call to action. “This seminar is not just a learning session; it is a moment of renewal for our shared mission,” he said.
He urged trustees “to focus on our values of sustainability, growth, contribution, and unity”, stressing that the individual roles they all play will produce great results.
Seasoned cooperative governance expert, Roland Bassey Igboke, delivered a compelling keynote, taking participants on a deep dive into the evolution of cooperative models while stressing the critical importance of active member participation.
“The future belongs to collaborative business models,” Igboke asserted.
“Cooperatives that prioritize member engagement, maintain transparency, and embrace innovation will outperform traditional competitive structures across all sectors, especially agriculture,” he added.
Attendees left the session energized, with many expressing renewed commitment to Sunflower Cooperative’s vision.
“I now see how my individual efforts tie into our collective success,” said one trustee. “This workshop has given us the tools to strengthen our operations and expand our impact.”
With plans to roll out new member engagement initiatives and expand its agricultural ventures, the cooperative is positioning itself as a model for sustainable, community-driven business growth.
Established to empower members through shared resources, training, and collective market access, Sunflower Cooperative Ltd continues to prove president Godson’s closing assertion “when we stand together, we don’t just survive—we flourish.”
