Iloke Egbe
The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations and the United Kingdom Partnership for Accelerated Climate Transition (UK-PACT) has presented certificates of comprehensive training to fifty (50) multipurpose Cooperative Societies in five (5) Local Government of Calabar South, Calabar Municipal, Akpabuyo, Bakassi and Odukpani respectively.
The certificate presentation which took place at Dannic Hotel Ekorinim Calabar, marks the climax of multiple activities and training on governance, leadership and accountability structures, as well as roles and responsibilities of multipurpose Cooperative Societies managers and aimed to sustain alternatives livelihood for communities within the Cross River Mangrove forest as direct process of reducing pressure on the Mangrove Ecosystem through other economic activities for the communities.
Declaring the event open, the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of International Donor Coordination Elder Dr. Hippolatus Ogar Lukpata represented by the Director, planning Research and Statistics Mr Ukam Edadi acknowledged the impactful contributions of FAO UK-PACT in the State mostly as it has to do with manpower development in the Agricultural sector and the protection and restoration of Cross River Mangrove Ecosystem.
In his words, "this project, supported by the FAO and UK PACT, is not merely about administrative registration, by granting these cooperatives legal recognition and operational legitimacy, we are laying the groundwork for resilient institutions that will drive socio-economic development across Cross River State" "Our mangroves are more than just trees, they are the lifelines for our fisheries and forest dependents communities" he added.
In her remarks, the Coordinator UK-PACT Dr. Mrs. Nisifime Ogunkua chronicled the objectives and contributions of the project to the State and nation, urging the State to preserve and protect what she has for the future and benefits of generations to come, adding that the certification is to further empower the community by creating more access to funding opportunities.
She informed that UK-PACT is ready to support and empower the communities with life long sustainable programmes that will bring real value to the communities to enable support the protection and restoration of the State mangrove Forest till when the cash benefits of the Mangrove start coming to the State.
The event drew wide attendance from relevant MDAs, community representatives from ten (10) communities each from the five (5) LGAs including the traditional institutions, Civil Society Organizations, international partners and non-governmental organizations.
In an interview with some of the recipients who expressed excitement with the programmes of UK-PACT, admitted that the management of UK-PACT has demonstrated sincerity and transparency in the way activities are handled and presented to them, that this is what is called practical empowerment. While others also promised to sustain the process through value addition as a way of appreciating UK-PACT for the good programmes brought to them for free.
Some of the presentations were, Cooperative Movement as a model of ecological equilibrium by Dr. Nisifime Ogunkua, principles of cooperative governance, leadership skills and participatory decision making by Mr. Simon Ewa. Roles and responsibilities of elected officials in cooperative Societies by Mrs. Bassey Umo.
Also discussed was accountability, transparency and financial stewardship, record keeping, reporting and documentation practices. The event also featured goodwill messages from key Stakeholders.
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