By Omonu YG Nelson
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is set to commemorate the International Day and Year of Cooperatives 2025 with the theme “Cooperatives: Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions for a Better World”.
The event will feature notable guest speakers and paper presenters, including Senator Abubakar Kyari, Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, and Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security.
Other speakers include Dr. Casmir Ifeanyi, Ph.D., FWAPCMLS, MNASBIOH, 15th National President, AMLSN, and Federal Director of Cooperatives, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and Dr. Peter Ayim, Principal Consultant/CEO, MSME Business Development Services Limited. Dr. Marcus O. Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, will also be part of the event.
The event will take place on July 7, 2025, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja. The commemoration aims to promote the growth and development of cooperatives, recognising their role in achieving sustainable development goals and building a better world.
The event will include a keynote address, hybrid lectures, cooperative digitalization briefing, cooperative education presentation, and presentation on women in agriculture.
The International Year of Cooperatives was declared by the United Nations General Assembly to raise public awareness about the invaluable contributions of cooperative enterprises to poverty reduction, employment generation, and social integration. Cooperatives play a vital role in sustainable development, promoting social inclusion, and fostering resilient economies.
The event is expected to bring together stakeholders from the cooperative sector, including presidents of collaborating cooperative societies, government officials, and experts in the field.
The commemoration aims to inspire leadership, promote supportive frameworks, and raise public awareness about the importance of cooperatives in building a better world.