WOMEN COOPERATIVE HOLDS END OF THE YEAR PARLEY

 

...reiterates commitment to financial Independence

By Ubong Creativity

An Eket based women cooperative organization, Amazing Women Cooperative today Sunday 13th December, 2020 held it fourth annual general meeting at Madelyn Hotel, Eket to end the business of the organization for the year and reposition it for optimum results.

Amazing Women Cooperative with Guest of Honour in a group photograph

In her address, the President of the organization, Mrs. Ekanem Umoffia thanked God for His faithfulness throughout the four years of existence, saying it has been growth and increase through the support, cooperation and encouragement from members of the organization.

Umoffia who disclosed that the organization started in August 2016 with only 10 members with the sole aim to empower women entrepreneurs have grown with 58 active and vibrant women and still counting.

President of Amazing Women Cooperative, Mrs. Ekanem Umoffia speaking at the event.

"In August 2016, we started this cooperative with just 10 members. It was indeed a tiny step of faith in actualizing our collective vision of empowering women to have, not just a voice, but also a hand in the society. But today, we are 58 active and vibrant women and still counting.

"From the inception of this cooperative, we have given out loans to the tune of N12,460,000 (Twelve Million, Four Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira Only), and not one person has defaulted in refunding. These loans have served to grow the business of our members and in extension their families.

Umoffia explained that outside the financial empowerment, the organization have also "invest in our women's financial management capacity by providing financial education so that they can make better financial choices. We are also involved in active leadership training to effect a change in our mindset, so as to raise women leaders for positive influence," she emphasized.

She further stated that every year the organization decided to lend to the Lord by giving financial assistance of N50,000 to a widow in the community which has been sustained over the years of their existence, noting that stronger women, build stronger families, stronger nation's and stronger economies.

Mrs. Eunice Thomas presenting cash gift to a widow, Monica Effiong Udo

Umoffia said though they haven't gotten any support from government or any other organizations but through the effort and commitment of members, declaring that Amazing Women Cooperative must change the narrative that women are the face of poverty. She called on the women to continuously open up themselves to new knowledge, stretch out their hands and bend their backs over to lift up one another.

A Guest of Honour and former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare who later served as Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Eunice Thomas speaking on the topic: How To Be A Leader In The Market Place, urged women to dominate their world by being productive and take advantage of the enormous potential and opportunities at their disposal.

She encouraged them to improved on their business ideas, market strategies so as to be outstanding and create positive impact in the society.

In his remarks, the Zonal Cooperative Officer for Eket, Mr. Joshua Essien commended Amazing Women Cooperative for exceptional performance in their activities. He stated that what they are doing is for themselves and their families.

Essien further advised them that cooperative is a company that is governing by laws, urging them to take cooperative business very serious by ensuring that members pay their shares because their contribution is very important and sacrosanct. He disclosed that more training will be organized for them to improve on their performance.

A beneficiary of the soft loans, Mrs. Matilda was full of praises to Amazing Women Cooperative for coming to her aid especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. She said the organization is more than women association as she got funds to improve on her business.

Another beneficiary, Ofonime Ekpenyong who is a makeup artist said "I used to source for soft loan and Amazing Women Cooperative come to the rescue. I've not had any disappointment." She thanked the leadership for their discipline and straightforwardness, saying it has really encouraged her to join the organization to get more loans to expand her business.

The annual financial assistance of N50,000 was presented to a widow and mother of four, Monica Effiong Udo from Ikot Use Ekong whose in-laws have thrown her out from her late husband property. Presenting the cash gift,  Mrs. Eunice Thomas advised her not to waste the money in frivolities but invest in productive ventures that will improve on her standard of living and that of her children.

It was announced by the President, Mrs. Ekanem Umoffia that by next year 2021, the organization will elect new leadership in line with their constitutional provision. Financial reports was also presented by the Treasurer of the organization, Mrs. Mary Willie Kalu.

In attendance were Mrs. Helen George Umana, Mrs. Unyime Duncan Harry, Mrs. Funmilayo Udotai, Mrs. Mercy Ekwere, among others.