By Ebuka Onyekwelu, Ph.D
The Government of Anambra State on Saturday, July 4, 2026, joined the rest of the world to celebrate the 2026 International Day of Cooperatives. July 4th, 2026, was designated by the United Nations as the International Day of Cooperatives, in recognition of the important role played by cooperative societies in fostering rapid development, partnership, and lasting peace. This year’s cooperative day in Anambra was celebrated amidst a firm commitment by the Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, to reform and reposition cooperatives in Anambra State.
The well-attended event by cooperatives and members of the Anambra State Executive Council, including Dr. Law Mefor, Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, was hosted by the Ministry of Commerce at the Anambra State Secretariat. Speaking, the Commissioner for Commerce, Hon. Nomso Ebonwu, said that the event is a reminder that humans need to work together to build big things. “This day belongs to every cooperator…who has ever put resources together to build something bigger than anybody can build alone. This is why we have gathered today,” the commissioner assured. He further noted that the Governor Soludo-led administration is particular about reforming cooperatives in the state to create synergy and strengthen cooperatives in Anambra State. “Anambra under the leadership of Mr. Governor, through the Ministry of Commerce, is working hard to reposition cooperatives in the State to be efficient,” the commissioner said. The theme for this year’s Day of Cooperatives is “Cooperatives for a peaceful world.” This, according to Mr. Ebonwu, speaks to the strength of working together in bringing social cohesion, not only economic benefit.
Outlining the three pillars of reforms for cooperatives in Anambra State, Hon. Nomso Ebonwu noted that Cooperative Federation of Anambra State – COFAS – is recognized as the umbrella cooperative in the state. “All active cooperatives must be affiliated with COFAS,” Hon. Ebonwu said. The other two reforms include streamlining cooperatives through revalidation and digitization, as well as cooperatives embracing transparency and record keeping.
The Anambra State President of COFAS, Dr. Ogochukwu Soludo, in his remarks, observed that “disciplined collective action and community trust” are what drive the group’s agenda. He also emphasized the group’s three-year roadmap that includes governance and capacity building, inclusive access to finance, market linkages, youth, women and disabled inclusion, digital transformation and advocacy.
Reacting, the Anambra State director of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria – SMEDAN, Engr. Chito Onwuzulike, remarked that “the challenge of cooperatives is integrity.” According to Engr. Onwuzulike, “For cooperatives to succeed, they must be private sector driven.” She then assured that SMEDAN will henceforth work with COFAS. Similarly, the Bank of Industry – BoI, commended the Governor, Professor Charles Soludo, for working to ensure that they reduced the interest rate to the barest minimum. According to the Bank of Industry, with the Governor’s effort, interest rate on facilities in Anambra is the cheapest in the market at 10%. “I don’t think there is anywhere you can get that,” BoI concluded.
Already, the Ministry of Commerce has set up modalities to begin reforms for cooperatives in Anambra State, as the Commissioner for Commerce, Hon. Nomso Ebonwu, calls on cooperatives in the state to come for revalidation.
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