NAN-HE-4
Cooperatives
Doma (Nasarawa State), Oct. 20, 2016 (NAN) Hajiya Rifkatu Jatau, the Desk Officer, Rural Finance Institution Building Programme (RUFIN) in Nasarawa State, has urged women and youths to develop interest in establishing savings and cooperative societies.
Jatau gave the advice on Thursday while briefing newsmen on the activities of different cooperative societies in Doma Local Government Area of the state.
She said that the measure would go a long way in assisting Nigerians, especially women ad youths to have easy access to loan facilities to tackle poverty and enhance their welfare.
The desk officer said that rural women, youths and the physically challenged should form cooperative societies to save for “the rainy days’’.
According to her, RUFIN is funded by the Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
“It works to strengthen microfinance institutions and establish linkages with financial institutions to create viable inclusive rural financial system.
“All of you are living witnesses to what the groups are doing as a result of the formation of their cooperative societies.
“Some are using their resources to produce soap, food items, and even giving loans to members and non members to tackle hardship.
“Members of the group have built houses, paid their children school fees, cater for family medical bills; embark on huge projects and investments which they cannot do as individuals.
“RUFIN does not give loans directly to rural people, but rather links poor rural households to microfinance banks to facilitate access to savings and credit facilities to better their welfare.
Also, Mrs Okoneshi Osegeba, who spoke on behalf of other beneficiaries, commended RUFIN for educating and encouraging them to form cooperative societies to improve their welfare.
Osegeba said that formation of the cooperative societies would assist them to meet the needs of their families and contribute meaningfully to the national development. (NAN)
AKW/MO/GOK
Edited by Morayo Omolade/Olagoke Olatoye