The Osun state cooperative movement numbering over 130, 000 today pledged total support for the re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke as a reward for his massive contribution to the growth of the cooperative movement since 2022.
The cooperative leaders numbering about 40 who came to represent the Federation of Osun State Cooperative Movement declared that since the administration of late Obafemi Awolowo, no administration has done as much as Governor Adeleke for the cooperative sector.
Speaking through its Executive Secretary, Alhaji Tiamiyu Adeoye, the movement said during late Awolowo’s premiership, the western cooperative movement was giving a seed capital of One Million pound but lamented that since then, only Governor Adeleke has revived the tradition for grassroots economic financing.
The Executive Secretary spoke further: “Under the previous APC governments, we were invited and publicly given a cheque as cooperative seed capital. A day after, we were recalled to bring the cheque for correction. Till date, that cheque was never returned to the cooperative movement. We were deceived.
“However, Mr Governor, you surprised us because when you pledged almost N4billion naira as revolving loan, seed capital for the cooperative movement; we thought you were playing politics like others did with us. But you have disbursed over N1.6billion so far.
“We are really glad; we are here to show our appreciation. We have never had any state government giving us seed money since the creation of Osun state. You came in and from the beginning, you addressed that critical question of grassroots economic financing. Mr Governor, you are doing a lot across sectors in Osun.
“But for us cooperatives, where roads and bridges cannot reach, your seed capital has reached. The billions of naira flowing from the Government is reaching our people at the local level. You have strengthened us. The seed capital is a form of human capital development. Across Osun state and among our over 130, 000 cooperative members, grassroots economic financing is thriving.
“Aside from the seed capital, we expressed thankfulness for the release of withheld cooperative deductions of our members. The withholding of the cooperative deductions by the previous government displaced and inflicted a lot of hardship on our members. As of today, all the check ups and deductions are paid up to date. Mr Governor you restored hope and empowerment among the cooperative movement in Osun state.
“If under your first term, you did so much for the cooperative movement, we strongly believe continuity is in the best interest of the cooperative movement in Osun state. In pursuance of that determination, February 10, 2026 has been scheduled for an endorsement rally for Mr Governor”, the Executive Secretary told the governor.
Responding to the cooperative leadership, Governor Adeleke, flanked by the Deputy Governor, prince Kola Adewusi; Head of Service, Ayanleye Aina; and cooperative commissioner, Bayo Ogungbangbe, expressed appreciation to the cooperative movement in Osun state for their acknowledgment of his contribution to the empowerment and strengthening of the cooperative movement.
“The Governor spoke further: “From the very beginning, we made a deliberate decision to place cooperatives at the centre of our economic empowerment strategy. This conviction led to the establishment of the Ministry of Cooperatives and Empowerment in July 2023, an initiative that has since earned national recognition. It also guided our decision to convene the first Osun State Cooperative Summit and Awards. This was to strengthen dialogue, coordination and shared responsibility among stakeholders.
“We have equally invested in long-term capacity building through the total rehabilitation and upgrade of the Cooperative College at Ode-Omu, now renamed Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke Cooperative College. This reflects our belief that sustainable cooperative growth must be driven by education, skills and strong institutions.
“At the grassroots, we expanded ward-based cooperatives across the State. We also provide them with interest-free revolving loans. We have also extended significant funding to conventional cooperative unions under FOSCOOP. Our administration empowered thousands of individual cooperators, supported our people in the diaspora and ensured inclusive access. This also includes targeted support for persons living with disabilities. Altogether, over 1.5 billion naira has been disbursed to strengthen cooperative activities under this administration.
“These efforts are driven by one clear objective: to put economic power directly in the hands of the people. Cooperatives remain one of the most effective tools for inclusive growth, shared prosperity and community stability”, the governor posited.
