The Lagos State Cooperative College (LASCOCO) was established out of the need to complement efforts towards the creation of an economy that is “knowledge-driven and skill-based in appreciation of the key role cooperatives in enterprise development, job creation and making available, massive economic opportunities for the teeming population of the South Western State.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu reiterated this Thursday at the College’s Maiden Convocation ceremony, held at the Oko Oba headquarters of the institute.
Following this pivotal role, Sanwo-Olu in his address as the Moderator of the College, said it was expected that the existence of the institution would help to enhance the performance of “book keepers and trustees of cooperative societies through the provision of need based training” while also helping to meet specific manpower needs of the State through the provision of high-level manpower with capacity for self-employment and job creation.
Sanwo-Olu stressed that the State is determined to host a virile cooperative sector that occupies the leadership position in the country, a situation that rests on the Government, the task to consolidate enviable position and further strengthen the cooperatives sub-sector so as to continue to offer viable and vibrant economic alternatives to the citizenry.
The Governor recalled that the recent upgrade of the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education and Michael Otedola College of Primary Education into the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) and the elevation of the former Lagos State University of Science and technology respectively were clear evidence of the resolve and political will as Government, to raise the bar in the area of educational development, as well as readiness to “not only to interrogate our development needs, but also proffer enduring solutions to them for the benefit of the good people of the State”.
Sanwo-Olu who was represented at the Convocation by the State’s Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Dr. Lola Akande noted despite the COVID-19 pandemic new normal, the State was determined to sustain the resilience of the State’s economy through “pragmatism in the formulation of people-oriented strategies and policies that are need-based and development focused”.
“Lagos is a State with abundant human resource endowment which must be exploited for the sustenance our strategic and privileged economic status, hence, the need for us to be proactive and pragmatic in our approach to governance.
“In realization of the fact that a good life is one inspired by knowledge, we are leaving no stone unturned as Government in building a knowledge driven economy; knowing quite well that an investment in knowledge pays the best interest” Governor Sanwo-Olu restated.
The Governor attested that as a post-secondary educational institution of the State, LASCOCO with its maiden convocation “has not fared any less in living up to the fulfillment of its stated objectives and the collective expectation of excellent and effective service delivery”
Sanwo-Olu related that with the recent approval of central and significant facilities, LASCOCO was poised to become a global model in the provision of sound cooperative education.
While responding to journalists at the event, Dr. Akande noted many giant achievements recorded by the College, urging other States of the Federation to emulate it.
The Commissioner noted that the high quality of studies at LASCOCO was evident in the brilliant and exceptional delivery by the best overall student, Veronica Titilayo Akingbade, promising that she would recommend her for more encouragement to Governor Sanwo-Olu. Dr. Akande restated that people with stout intellectual capacity like Akingbade needed to be encouraged.
LASCOCO Provost, Akorode Ojomu in his address at the event expressed delight at the achievements of the College within its short period of existence, still, said the institution was still lacking many facilities, chief among them he stated, was the need to move the College to its permanent site.
Ojomu declared that among the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) guidelines was not less than 10 hectares of land for the College’s operation.
The Provost disclosed that the land is to be used to run the College’s demonstration farms, a well-equipped Entrepreneurship Centre for vocational and Entrepreneurial training, a pseudo micro finance outfit for students of Microfinance and Enterprise Development, among others.
He recalled that the College after locating a suitable site, made request to Governor Sanwo-Olu in 2021 in Ibeju-Lekki local government area of the State, but could not secure the approval. He however expressed hope that the Governor would accede to the institution’s request and approve the allocation in the current business year.
Ojomu thanked the College’s Governing Council’s Chairman, the Moderator for the tremendous support the school has been receiving from them.
LASCOCO Governing Council Chairman, Oyebowale Rafiu Raji noted the remarkable roles of the “Founding Fathers Forum”, congratulated the graduands and urged them not to rest on their oars, but strive to improve themselves and be good ambassadors of the College.
A total of 104 students graduated at the College’s pioneer Convocation. Out of this, 26 finished with Distinction; 47 had Upper Credit; 24 with graduated with Lower Credit and seven finished with pass.
The overall best student, Akingbade finished with 3.92 GPA. While Abiade Zainab Adeyinka emerged as the Best Student in Core Cooperative Courses, Olaniyan Omobolanle was announced as the best Student in Accounting; Taiwo Rukayat Oluwaseun, received the Best Behaved Student award and Ogunjirin Oluwakemi Ajoke won the award for Special Student.
The height of the Maiden Convocation was the conferment of Honorary Fellow of the College on five prominent personalities, including his HRM, Oba Omogbolahan Lawal (Abisogun II), the Oniru of Iru Kingdom, a former State’s Commissioner for Education,Oladunjoye Olayinka and three others.
The College’s course transformation drew strength from the enactment of the enabling legislation in 2018.
Apart from its collaboration with the United Kingdom Cooperative College, Manchester (UKCC), for programmes exchange, LASCOCO which has been enlisted into JAMB’s syllabus, offers admission into: Professional Diploma in Cooperative Management; National Diploma (ND) in Micro Finance and Enterprise Development, as well as in Cooperative Economics and Management
Captions for pic 1 From left: Oladele Ajayi, S A Commerce Industry and Cooperatives; Mr. Akorede Ojomu ,Provost LASCOCO, Hon. Dr. Mrs Lola Akande ,Hon.Comm.Min. of Commerce,Industry and Cooperatives and Mr. Oyebowale Raji. Chairman Governing Council LASCOCO.