Calabar, 30 September 2025 — The Cross River State Cooperative Stakeholders Association Limited yesterday paid an official courtesy visit to Mrs Christiana Adinye, the newly appointed Director and Registrar of Cooperatives, Ministry of Social Welfare and Community Development, Cross River State.

Leading the delegation, Chairman of the Association, Sir Paul Ihwo, KSM, described Mrs Adinye’s appointment as most deserving, stressing that it is God who elevates and promotes individuals into positions of responsibility. He pledged, on behalf of all stakeholders, the Association’s unalloyed support, recalling similar cooperation given to her predecessor.

Speaking further, Sir Paul Ihwo stated: “The cooperative movement in Cross River State is at a defining moment. We believe that under your leadership, Madam Director, there will be greater synergy between the Department and stakeholders. Our Association, being the umbrella body of primary cooperative societies across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state, remains committed to providing unwavering support, fostering transparency, and driving sustainable cooperative development for the good of our members and the state at large.”

Sir Ihwo also used the occasion to formally present the final report of the 2025 International Day of Cooperatives, assuring of a stronger, symbiotic relationship with the new leadership of the Cooperative Department. Prayers and goodwill messages were also offered for Mrs Adinye, seeking God’s guidance for her tenure.

In her response, Mrs Adinye expressed profound appreciation, noting that this was her first official courtesy visit by any organisation since assuming office. She thanked the stakeholders for their prayers and goodwill, and affirmed her openness to constructive criticism accompanied by solutions.

“A tree cannot make a forest, nobody is indispensable,” she emphasised, while calling for robust collaboration with cooperative societies across the state. She cautioned that patience, calmness, and adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) should never be misconstrued as weakness.

On the recent challenges within the sector, the Director promised amicable resolutions and extended the goodwill of the Department and Ministry on behalf of the Honourable Commissioner, Her Eminence, Archbishop Professor Margaret Ene-Ita.

As a major outcome of the visit, it was unanimously agreed that a general meeting of all cooperative stakeholders be convened on Thursday, 7th October 2025, at 11:00 a.m. prompt, at the Conference Hall of the Ministry. A circular to this effect is to be issued accordingly.

The high-powered delegation included:

Sir Paul Ihwo, KSM. Chairman of the Association, and President-Emeritus of UCTH Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (MPCS)

Prince Emmanuel Edem, Consultant and President of [Society Name]

Mr Simon Ewa, Consultant and President, OJIELITY Investment Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (MPCS)

Mr Anthony Ogar, President, NKERIRA Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (MPCS)

Pastor Stephen Akpan Kingsgrace, Member, NKERIRA Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (MPCS)

Mrs Esther Obaji, Desk Officer, Cooperative Department, and

Comrade Amawu, Cletus Albert Amawu, President, MADILI Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (MPCS).

The meeting closed with renewed assurances from both sides to work in harmony for the growth of the cooperative movement in Cross River State.