By Godwin Igber

The Divine Open Doors Women Multi-Cooperative Society in Benue State has called on the government and well-meaning individuals to support women’s cooperatives in Nigeria.

Speaking on Saturday in an interview to mark the 2025 celebration of International Day of Cooperatives, the group’s chapter president, Blessing Chichi said the support would foster sustainable development.

Highlighting the importance of cooperative societies,  Chichi said: “You know that in Africa, most women depend on their husbands to bring in money for their food. But now that they are able to join their hands to work together and to share dividends and to give food to their children themselves.”

According to her, cooperative societies are aimed at achieving one goal for the overall benefit of its members and women can take such opportunities.

“Women in villages should always unite in cooperatives that will help them address their immediate financial challenges, instead of relying on other family members for support, ” she added.

Chichi further called for support, especially to the cooperative societies in rural areas, noting that they are faced with the challenges of finance, manpower and education.

“If there’s any way they can help cooperatives financially, so that this money will be given to other women who will start their own market and they will be paying back. After paying back, at the end of the year, you turn it and give it to other women too.”

The International Day of Cooperatives is celebrated annually on the first Saturday of July to raise awareness and promote the movement’s successes in advancing social and economic development.

This year’s observance highlights their contributions to solving global challenges through building a better and more inclusive society, with the theme, Cooperatives: Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions for a Better World.