INEC Director tasks workers on cooperative societies

Mrs Olaide Okuonghae, the Acting Director of Administration, of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has tasked Nigerian workers to form Cooperative Societies toward saving for the future.

She said this at the 16th Annual General Meeting of INEC (headquarters) Staff Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society in Abuja.

Okuonghae, who represented Mrs Rose Oriaran-Anthony, the INEC Secretary at the event, advised Nigerian workers to key into cooperative societies while in service.

She said that joining cooperative societies has immense benefits while in service and even in retirement.

Okuonghae narrated how she was able to acquire land and a house through savings in a cooperative society, before accessing retirement benefits.

“Cooperative is a beautiful society to join. Anyone who has not joined and is still in service should not wait until when retirement is approaching.

“You have to plan ahead of time. Don’t say that I still have enough time, because before you know it retirement time will come and time cannot be rewind.

“So please, I am begging us, this cooperative society is to alleviate the pains and the problems of the people, both when you are serving and out of service.

“At the entire day, I will tell you the benefits are even more. As you start now, the benefit is also much,’’ she said.

Okuonghae advised workers, especially newly married couples to explore opportunities in cooperative societies toward acquiring the necessities of life.

She said that many workers especially men died at a tender age because they were carrying too much burden.

Okuonghae said such untimely death could be averted with proper planning and support from cooperative societies.

“I am appealing it is not about leaving all the responsibility to the man, the woman has to support. How do we do that?

“If you are in a cooperative and your husband is also a civil servant and maybe he does not belong to a cooperative society and you are in one, you will be able to settle one or two things at home.

“Actually what is causing problems in the home is lack of money as a woman you should be able to support your husband.

“The economic situation of the country now does not allow you to leave everything for your spouse.

“You must support your partner- either way, the woman must support the man, the man must support the woman,” she said.

In her remarks, the acting President of INEC Staff Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society, Mrs Zainab Ndakun lauded members for their understanding and support.
Ndakun said that in spite of the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and rising inflation, the society in the year under review had been able to meet the expectations of members.

Highlights of the AGM included the election of the new executives for the society as Mr Gana Nenrot was elected as President, while Ms Zainab Ndakun was elected as Vice-President among others.