29/07/2026
Bayelsa State Government Celebrates United Nations International Cooperative Day 2026
...As Trade Commissioner Calls For Siting Of South-South Zonal Headquarters Of Cooperative Bank In Bayelsa
The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Trade, Industry & Investment, Dr Ebieri Jones has appealed to the Federal Government that the South-South Zonal Headquarters of the Cooperative Bank of Nigeria be sited in Bayelsa State.
Dr Jones made the appeal at the 2026 International Cooperative Day Celebration and the Ministerial Advocacy Tour of the South-South States with the theme "Cooperatives For A Peaceful World", held at Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Delivering his welcome address, Dr Jones
who was ably represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Madam Bomote Kuroekigha, thanked the Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri for his sagacious judgement in steering the State with wisdom, peace and unity. He also commended the Governor's assiduous service evident in his tireless commitment to grassroots development, delivering the Assured Shared Prosperity Agenda across the 8 Local Government Areas and his audacious vision in placing Bayelsa State at the forefront of Nigeria's Blue Economy, unlocking the vast potential of the waterways for job creation, food security and prosperity.
Dr Jones also welcome the Honourable Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, who was represented by his Special Assistant on Cooperatives and Farmers' Welfare, Hon Victor Oyegoke and acknowledged his active interest in the growth of Cooperatives Nationwide, which has rekindled hope and provided a clear roadmap at the Federal Level.
The Trade Commissioner noted that this Year's theme aligns with Nigerians Renewed Hope Cooperative Reform and Revamp Programme anchored on seven strategic pillars namely: Cooperative Governance and Institutional Reforms, Financial Inclusion, Digital Transformation, People Development, Jobs and Food Security, Inclusion for All and Global Partnership, that would transform the Cooperative sector, into a Catalyst for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable national development.
He further stressed that in Bayelsa State, Cooperatives are agents and builders of peaceful platforms, where families are taken out of poverty, creating pathways to empower Youth and Women and knitting Communities together for a better and greater future.
"With democratic participation, control, and shared risk, Cooperatives make our Communities more resilient to economic and climate shocks." Dr Jones said.
