The Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society of Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos, marked a significant milestone this week with the inauguration of a new cooperative secretariat and the declaration of dividends totaling ₦15,444,085 for its 705 members.
The inauguration ceremony was presided over by the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Shedrack Gaya Best, who urged members to maximize the newly commissioned facility to strengthen their economic empowerment.
Located opposite the Old Senate Building on the university campus, the secretariat comprises three offices and a warehouse designed to support the cooperative’s administrative and business operations.
According to Professor Best, the facility will enhance operational efficiency and provide members with better access to cooperative services and investment opportunities
Professor Best also commended the executive council for complementing the university’s efforts in promoting the financial wellbeing of its staff, noting that such initiatives help create a culture of savings, investment, and long-term planning among members.
The commissioning coincided with the Ninth Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the cooperative society, during which members celebrated another year of growth and success.
At the AGM, the cooperative announced a dividend payout of ₦15,444,085, which will be shared among 705 members. The society also increased its share capital from ₦100 million to ₦500 million, with new subscriptions totaling ₦140,989,000.
The President of the cooperative society, Mr. Nansel Sabo, expressed gratitude to the Plateau State Government and the university’s management for prioritizing staff welfare through regular salary payments, which he said have been instrumental in enabling members to actively participate in cooperative activities and investments.
Among the cooperative’s other achievements is the acquisition of 32 plots of land at Yakubu Gowon Dam, Shen, in Jos South Local Government Area, in addition to the construction of the newly commissioned secretariat.
These investments, he noted, demonstrate the society’s dedication to long-term wealth creation for members.
The AGM also featured a lecture delivered by Engineer Solomon Chikam, who emphasized the importance of early retirement planning.
“It is better to learn from the experiences of others rather than waiting to learn through personal experience,” he advised, urging members to take proactive steps to secure their financial futures.
In their remarks, the President of the Cooperative Federation of Nigeria and PLASCOFED, Mrs. Hannatu Mershak, and the Director of Cooperatives at the Plateau State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Elizabeth Moses Bot, praised the executive council for its achievements and encouraged members to continue supporting the cooperative’s leadership.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of Plateau State University, Associate Professor Keziah Ayuba, and the university’s Registrar, Mr. Yakubu Ayuba, among other dignitaries who attended the event.
The inauguration of the secretariat and the declaration of dividends reflect the cooperative society’s commitment to empowering university staff through financial literacy, investment, and collective growth.
As the society continues to expand its capital base and explore strategic investments, members are poised to benefit from increased financial stability and welfare support.
