Kogi State Trades and Commodity Associations Holds Inaugural Meeting, sets up Interim Management Committee.
The Kogi State Trades and Commodity Associations on the formation of Cooperative Exporting has resolved to set up an Interim Management Committee to coordinate membership registration for the Cooperative Society.
The Kogi State Trades and Commodity Associations meeting took place under the auspices of Kogi Shippers Export-Import Multi-purpose Cooperative Society, resolved to form Cooperative Exporting, therefore set up an Interim Management Committee.
The interim Management Committee is expected to equally incorporate a special purpose vehicle known as Kogi Shippers Export-Import Ventures Ltd.
Furthermore, the Kogi Shippers Export-Import Ventures Ltd when in place will also be charged with the Management of the Business Arm of the Cooperative Society.
Members of the interim committee include; Comrade Rajan Suleiman, Chairman, Alh. Suleiman Damisa, Secretary and Mrs Favour Ezejiaku to serve as the Treasurer.
The interim Management Committee was the highpoint of the inaugural Meeting of the Members of the Kogi State Trades and Commodity Associations on the formation of Cooperative Exporting held at the Lokoja Area office of the Nigerian Shippers Council. The inaugural Meeting was attended by Chairmen of Trades and Commodity Associations.
In his welcome Remarks, the Area Officer of the Nigerian Shippers Council Mr Edwin Ignatius described Kogi State as a State highly blessed with enormous resources that is yet to reflect on the State’s economy.
He further emphasized that the State is rich in agricultural and mineral resources that requires collective action for industrialisation of the State.
Mr Edwin noted that funding agencies, especially on non oil export have over the years overlooked Kogi State due to the State’s inactivity in export promotion, but said they are now willing to consider the State due to the present administration’ openness and forthrightness of Gov. Usman Ahmed Ododo.
Speaking further, Mr. Ignatius said as soon local businesses in the State are able to secure necessary funding or grants, the domineering influence of foreigners dominating the Farm Gates Cashew Trading in the State would be a thing of the past, reasons for the planned formation of the Cooperative Export Ventures.
Speaking at the meeting, Comr. Rajan Suleiman, President, Kogi Shippers Association, thanked leaders of Trades and Commodity Associations for the synergy, highlighted the benefits of Cooperative Exporting to Members of Trades and Commodity Associations in particular and Kogi State in general.
Comr. Rajan disclosed that plans are underway to register a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with CAC to be known as Kogi Shippers Export-Import Ventures Ltd to serve as a Trading Company.
When registered, he said the company will attract export funds, through Crowdfunding, investment and other grant mechanisms to trade in Cashew and similar Commodities at farm gates levels.
Similarly, they will process them for export in order to stop the dominance of foreign traders, exploiting rural small holder farmers in the state.