By Ezekiel Dontinna
The University of Jos Staff Multi-purchase Cooperative Society (UJSMCS), has constructed and commissioned a befitting edifice worth over One hundred and seventy sixty million naira (₦176m) to help generate income for society.
This building which was conceived and designed, has 9 shops, 2 restaurants, 2 warehouses, offices for the Cooperative, factory and a befitting banking hall to be leased to any interested bank including store incorporated in the building.
While commissioning the building at the University’s Permanent Site in Jos recently, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya, congratulated the Executive and members of the Cooperative for achieving this great fit.
He said, “I have taken that initiative and mission to implementation and today, we can say that there is something that all of us will be proud of. I want to congratulate all members and the Exco of the multipurpose for being committed to ensuring that something like this can be achieved.
“I believe it is a legacy that you will leave for generations to benefit from. This is something that is first of its kind, even on the platform, not only on the university”, VC noted
On her part, the President, Plateau State Cooperative Federation (PLASCOFED), Mrs. Hanatu Mershak, described it as highly commendable and that, the EXCO has written their names on the sands of time.
She said, “this is what we advocate for all cooperative leaders, that whenever they find themselves in leadership position, they should do something and leave a legacy behind. This leadership has left a legacy that should be emulated by all other cooperative leaders. We are highly encouraged”.
Earlier, the out gone President of UJSMCS, UJMCSL constructs, commissions ₦173m worth shopping complex expressed joy and that, it was a dream comes true to have completed this over ₦173 million naira worth project within six months.
On her part, the Director Physical Planning, University of Jos, Arc. Halima Aura, represented by Builder Markus Dada, commended the Cooperative for commissioning this great edifice facilitated by the EXCO of the Society. She disclosed that realized physical facility as the consultants was achieved by them and the consultancy was almost free of charge because they know what they could get from this cooperative by the special grace of God.
While at the Aliyu Akwe Doma Indoor Theatre, Faculty of Arts, Naraguta Campus for the 14th Annual General Meeting (AGM), the newly inaugurated UJSMCS President, Mr Ramson N. Lohfa, said, in line with the objectives of the Society as stated in article 8 of our bye-laws, they would promote the economic interest of members.
According to him, they would be innovative with the view to diversifying revenue generation streams saying, “transparent and accountable through a robust reporting system and holding statutory meetings, foster inclusivity and equal opportunity based on the principles of equity, fairness and justice will be our focus.
“We cannot do this alone, we sincerely crave for your unalloyed support in this task of redefining and reshaping the future of our cooperative society. We appeal for active participation of all members in the activities and programmes of the Society by attending our meetings and making quality contributions using every legitimate platform”, he promised.
Lohfa, assured that their role as EXCO would be to transparently execute the decisions of Congress and that, the EXCO would run the Society collectively because it was the the responsibility belonged to all of them to succeed.
He, therefore, appealed to all members to pray for the EXCO because they need God’s wisdom, understanding, sound health and mind to perform and work with His fear.
The Chairman of the occasion and Acting Provost of the College of Education, Associate Professor Lazarus Maigoro, commended the out gone EXCO for achieving this great fit and charged the new leadership to take the society’s direction forward.
Also, the Guest At the occasion, Professor Maren Daniel Mallo, noted that it was no longer news that Cooperative Society all over the world were employing corporate relate estate to transform businesses to reduce cost, hence the need for UJSMCS to key into it.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson, Standing Planning Committee and the image maker of UJSMCS Jos,, Mrs. Juliana Oladije, said, “I am so thrilled because this project was actually initiated by our predecessors, but when this EXCO came on board, they take it up despite the harsh economic realities the country is faced with.
“Despite that, this Cooperative Society decided to look inward and worked with the Directorate of Physical Facilities to ensure that this edifice see the light of the day. I am super excited and I want call on all members to continue to support the leadership of the cooperative.
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