The Advisory Board

Patrons/Advisory Board 2022-2025

Engr Akintoye. A. Akintola

Ex-Federal Director of Cooperatives/cooperator
Chairman, Advisory Board

High Chief Awe Rufus M

The Oniijebu Of Itoto, Ipe-Akoko/cooperator
Member, Advisory Board

Engr. Stanley Da’silva

Ex President LASCOFIS/cooperator
Member, Advisory Board

Mr. Obakoya Olufemi

President of LASCOFIS
Member Advisory Board

Mrs. Sikaiye O. Temitope

President LIMCU
Member, Advisory Board

Chief (Mrs) Shimite Bello

Cooperator/entrepreneur
Member, Advisory Board

Chief Samuel Christopher

Managing Consultant of Total Research & Project Development Consultants Ltd
Member Advisory Board

Dr. Akinola Lateef Ademola

General Manager, Oyosowapo Group of Cooperatives
Member Advisory Board

Hon. (Alh) Yusuf Musa Swa Wamban Waja

MHR, EX-Commissioner Gombe State
Member, Advisory Board

Chief Mrs J. O. Bisiriyu JP

Former Executive Secretary, OGSCOFED Ltd.
Member, Advisory Board

Frances Ihuoma Bekey

Ex-MD/CEO FutureGrowth Microfinance
Member Advisory Board

2018-2021 Patrons/Advisory Board

Chief Audu Ogbeh OFR

Former Minister of Agriculture & Rural Dev.
National Patron

Alh.Dr. Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, OON

Ex-Governor of Gombe State
National Patron

Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode FCA

Former Lagos State Governor
National Patron

Engr Akintoye. A. Akintola

Ex-Federal Director of Cooperatives
Chairman, Advisory Board

Chief Mrs J. O. Bisiriyu JP

Executive Secretary, OGSCOFED Ltd.
Member, Advisory Board

Chief (Dr.) Austine Maduka

Founder/National President, COMAFAS
Member, Advisory Board

Frances Ihuoma Bekey

Ex-Managing Director/CEO FutureGrowth Microfinance
Member Advisory Board

Chief (Mrs) Sarah Anaba JP

Founder, SANAB Development Foundation
Member, Advisory Board

Mr. Joseph O. Dina

President, LASCOMED Cooperative
Member, Advisory Board

Engr Akintoye. A. Akintola

Ex-Federal Director of Cooperatives/cooperator Chairman, Advisory Board

He was educated at Alafia Nursery School, Mokola Ibadan, (1965); Ebenezer African Church Primary School, Ekoredo Ibadan from 1966 – 1971; Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo from 1972-1976; Ibadan Polytechnic from 1976-1977 and University of Ife, Ile-Ife from 1977-1982 where he bagged his first degree in Agricultural Engineering in flying colours. He later bagged his Masters Degree in Agricultural Engineering specializing in Processing and Storage Engineering from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, in 1994.

Engr. Akintola started his professional career in 1983 as a Seed Processing Engineer with the National Seed Service Ibadan. His proficiency stamp could be seen till today in the 6 seed processing installations he helped to establish at Oyo, Ilorin, Damaturu, Jos, Talata Mafara, Kontagora and excellent mechanization activities in several seed farms across the country.

Engr. Akintola is registered with many professional bodies, some of which include: Nigeria Society of Agricultural Engineers (NSAE) 1983; American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE) and British Institution of Agricultural Engineers 1983; Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) 1986 and Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) in 1986. He is a prolific machine designer, fabricator and agro-industrial project consultant. Some of his works include: palm oil mills, cassava processing machinery, rice processing mills, grain threshers, air-screen grain cleaners, soya beans threshers, feed mills, harmer mills, crops dryers etc. In short, the projects that bear the professional stamp of Engr. Akintola are too numerous for listing but it suffices to say that Engr. Akintola has handled projects in nearly all the states of Nigeria. He has also been a consultant to some state governments in the establishment of rice and cassava processing factories.

In research and development, Engr. Akintola has authored over 14 engineering policy and scientific papers. He has served as a member of COREN ACCREDITATION TEAMS to many Nigerian Universities. He is well travelled both nationwide and globally.

On resumption of office as Federal Director of Cooperatives in February 2016, he was passionate about re-engineering and modernizing the Cooperative sector and sharpening the business/entrepreneurial focus of the sector. This he pursued and attained to a large extent till his retirement from service in September, 2018.

Other notable achievement of Engr. Akintola in the Cooperative sector include;

  • Implementation of curriculum review of Federal Cooperative Colleges to include 9 micro finance and entrepreneurship courses.
  • Status upgrade of Federal Cooperative Colleges from Mono-technics to Polytechnics through the addition of degree programmes in Banking and Finance and Computer Science to ensure that the Colleges produce 21st century Cooperative Professionals.
  • Strengthening of the performances of major National Cooperative Apexes and Societies and their business focus.
  • Ensured regular hosting of NCCA and effective guidance of the council to take far reaching decisions aimed at revitalizing and strengthening of the Cooperative sector.
  • Strengthened the role of Nigerian Cooperative movement in ICA – Africa Alliance and ensured Nigeria hosted the 2018 African Ministerial Cooperative Conference (AMCCO).
  • Encouraged closer interaction of all Cooperative Directors in the country through ICT and physical contacts.
  • Promoted and strongly advocated for the deployment of ICT management solutions for the management of Cooperative Societies.
  • Encouraged the establishment of CRASoN and ensured the Endorsement of the Honorable Minister in Charge of cooperative affairs that led to Maiden Edition of the Nigerian National Cooperative Awards.

He is a fellow of Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers (FNIAE), a Fellow of Institute of Chartered Administrators of Nigeria (FCAI), and a Fellow of Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC). He is an astute personality and a quintessential public servant, a motivator and leader of men full of practical talents and insight.

Engr. Akintola is happily married with wonderful children.

High Chief Awe Rufus M.

The Oniijebu Of Itoto, Ipe-Akoko/cooperator Member, Advisory Board

High Chief Awe Rufus M. The Onijebu of Itoto, Ipe-Akoko Ondo State was born on 10th November 1958 to the family of Late Pa Shaba Omotoriogunwaye Awe in Itoto Ipe Akoko.

He stated his educational career at St. Andrew’s A/C Primary School Ipe-Akoko, 1965-1971, from there proceeded to St. Philip’s Secondary Modern School Ipe-Akoko 1971-1974 and later further to St John/Mary’s Teachers College Owo 1978-1982. For his higher education he went to Obafemi Awolowo University Ado-Ekiti now Ekiti state University (EKSU) Ado-Ekiti where he obtained B.S.C (Hons) Political Science in 1989.

In his quest for more Knowledge, he proceeded to University of Abuja Gwagwalada for his postgraduate diploma in education (2003) and also National institute for Nigeria Languages (NINLAN) Aba, Abia State for his Postgraduate Diploma in Nigeria Language 2006.

HIS RELIGIOUS BELIEF           

A Christian by birth and was brought up under strict Christian principles. In recognition of his role and contribution to the work of God and service to humanity, he has been given awards by his home church St. Andrew’s Anglican Church and St. Luke’s Anglican Church both in Ipe. Also, he is a Bishop Nominee of diocese of Gwagwalada (Anglican Communion) and “Father of Faith” award was given to him by the same Diocese. High Chief Awe has been bestowed with more than ten (10) awards from different organizations.

WORK EXPERIENCE

High Chief Awe first worked as a Bar-man in Otobo Hostel Ikare, 1976-1977 and as a petrol attendance in Mobil filling station Ikare 1977-1978. He also served as a Grade II Teacher at St, James RCM Primary School Ipe – Akoko 1981-1985. He joined FCT Secondary Education Board in 1991 and still working there till date, due to his zeal and commitment to his service he rose to the position of Deputy Director of Education and currently the Principal of Government Secondary School Kwaku, Abuja

SOJOURN INTO THE COOPERATIVE SECTOR

High Chief Awe Rufus is not just an Educationist but a skillful and talented man that make things to happen, who makes the unknown to be known, who makes the unprofitable to be profitable and one who breaks the power of poverty through the establishment of co- operative societies; both in Ipe Land and beyond to help people in creating wealth. And through him many people had become self-reliance and successful business tycoons. To his credit, he had established more than 20 different cooperative societies and still counting. Four (4) in Ipe, Two (2) in Kogi State, Twelve(12) in Abuja FCT and another  Two (2) in Kaduna State respectively, through which he empowers several members.

He is married to his beautiful, cute and virtuous wife, Chief (Mrs.) Caroline Awe the Iya Ijo of St. Andrew’s African church Ipe – Akoko; and they are blessed with God fearing children.

Engr. Stanley Da’silv

Ex President LASCOFIS/cooperator Member, Advisory Boar

Engr. Stanley Da’ Silva, born in the late Sixties to be precise; to the families of Engr, Julius Olatunji Da’ Silva of Bamgbose in Lagos Island and Mrs Georgina Modupe Johnson from Lafiaji area of Lagos State.

He attended Ladi-Lak Institute Yaba Lagos for his primary education and of Finbarrs College Akoka his secondary education.

He is an Engineer by profession, studied at Hindustan Institute of Engineering Technology, Madras India and also University of Lagos – Nigeria.

Professional Career Path

He started his working career with The Federal Ministry of Aviation as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, he has also worked with Federal Civil Aviation Authority (FCAA), Also worked with Directorate of Safety Regulation and Monitoring (DESRAM), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and retired as a General Manager in charge of Navigational Aids Flight Inspection and Surveillance (NAFIS) a Department under the Director General’s Office of NCAA M/M Airport Ikeja.

He belongs to many professional bodies, chief among them is; The Institution of Automotive Engineers, The Institute of Motor Industries, Nigerian Association of Aircraft, Pilots and Engineers (NEEPE) Aircraft Engineers International (AEI, UK), Society of Licensed Engineers of Nigeria (SLAME) and Institute of Cooperative Professionals of Nigeria (ICOPRON) etc.

Sojourn into the Cooperative World

Engr. Stanley Da’ Silva Joined Cooperative of his Primary place of work (NCAA) in the year 2000. He became a consisted member that follows the rules and regulation guiding the cooperative society. Saves regularly and display very high sense of good governance even while as a labour union activist. He carved a riche for himself right from his primary society at the Federal Ministries of Transport and Aviation of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Cooperative Multipurpose Society Ltd where he rose to become the president of the society in 2009 – 2014, his leadership prowess and capabilities in changing the dwindling fortune of his then primary society that has been run down, led to his emergence as the president of Lagos Island Multipurpose Cooperation Union (LIMCU) the secondary Union of his Primary Society in 2013.

He distinguished himself with the cooperative movement of Lagos State that he is referred to as the man with the “Midas Touch” sequel to the infrastructure, social and economic development he brought to his primary society and that of the union within the shortest period where he made these cooperatives the envy of the others as he took it from obscurity to limelight and won several awards and accolades from cooperators across the state and country at large.

The Midas touch effect led to him being called by cooperators to serve at the state level where he became the president of Lagos State Cooperative Finance & Investment Cooperative Society (LASCOFIS) with a consensus vote. He served at the Lagos State Cooperative Federation (LASCOFED) Board for 8years and his contributions was notably acknowledged for his doggedness in standing for what is right and just for all cooperators in the state.

Engr. Stanley Da’ Silva has won several laurels and chieftaincy titles both at home and abroad for his commitment at work, contributions to cooperative development and growth, coupled with the emancipation of socio-economic advancement of everyone around him and his community at large.

Few among the Laurels and Chieftains titles are:

  1. Distinguished Leadership Award from ICOPRON 2018
  2. Cooperative Personality of the Year 2018
  3. The Aare Mayedun of Ijanikin 2018
  4. Most Outstanding Cooperative Leader From MCIC&LASCOFED 2011
  5. Best Managed Industrial Base Cooporative Society July 2011
  6. Cooperative STAR PROJECT Award June 2013
  7. Cooperative Man of the Year Award 2021

Mr. Obakoya Olufemi

President of LASCOFIS Member Advisory Board

President of LASCOFIS & Ex-President of MOD CMS Ltd.

The man behind the laudable achievement of Ministry of Defence Cooperative Multipurpose Society Limited (MOD CMS) is Mr. Olufemi O. Obakoya  (aka OBK).

Mr. Obakoya is a Staff Officer in the Ministry of Defence with a deployment in the Nigerian Air Force.He is a CERTIFIED PROTECTION OFFICER (CPO)

He took the mantle of leadership with a wealth of experience having served as the Vice-President  in the society. He came with three cardinal objectives namely:

  1. Prompt Service Delivery
  2. Empowerment
  3. Expansion of Income Base

In achieving his mandate built on the above 3 cardinal objectives, He pioneered major income generating projects for his primary society amongst which are;  the Greenhouse Farm project, being the first in over 30 years history of MOD Cooperative. This he is convinced will alleviate the poverty level and broaden the income based of the society which, of course is evident in the over N5million revenue recorded within the shortest time of commencement. Many malls and Chinese restaurants are now very much interested in MOD Green House Farms.

To further broaden the society’s income based he also pioneered other investments such as the building of a Bottled Water Factory with NAFDAC Registration which has since commenced operations and the construction of Ministry of Defence Cooperative  52rooms all ensuite Private Hostel for Students of Lagos State Polytechnic  (Now University)at Ikorodu Lagos

More so, for the Empowerment Programs and Prompt Service Delivery for all members of the Society, He organized several in-house training and capacity building programs for members and as well, ensure members and management committee attends Cooperative Seminars and Management Retreats to upskill and upgrade themselves.

The Cooperative Office Automation Project linking all Coop Branch offices across the country to the Lagos Headquarter that has increased the membership drive and spread of the society. This led to Mr. Obakoya pioneering the online service for MOD CMS LTD, hence member across the country can log on to www.mod.coop to get serviced by their society even in the comfort of their homes and offices without physically coming to the Coop Office. They can easily check their balances from their Phone through the MOD Mobile App provided by the UCP platform

These and many more game changing innovative ideas led to him being recognized at the State Apex level at the Lagos State Cooperative Finance and Investment Society (LASCOFIS) where he was voted and elected as the President to come continue the good work of his predecessor.

He is currently leading the Innovations taking place at LASCOFIS and we hope he will get to the pinnacle.

Chief (Mrs) Shimite Bello

Cooperator/entrepreneur Member, Advisory Board

He was educated at Alafia Nursery School, Mokola Ibadan, (1965); Ebenezer African Church Primary School, Ekoredo Ibadan from 1966 – 1971; Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo from 1972-1976; Ibadan Polytechnic from 1976-1977 and University of Ife, Ile-Ife from 1977-1982 where he bagged his first degree in Agricultural Engineering in flying colours. He later bagged his Masters Degree in Agricultural Engineering specializing in Processing and Storage Engineering from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, in 1994.

Engr. Akintola started his professional career in 1983 as a Seed Processing Engineer with the National Seed Service Ibadan. His proficiency stamp could be seen till today in the 6 seed processing installations he helped to establish at Oyo, Ilorin, Damaturu, Jos, Talata Mafara, Kontagora and excellent mechanization activities in several seed farms across the country.

Engr. Akintola is registered with many professional bodies, some of which include: Nigeria Society of Agricultural Engineers (NSAE) 1983; American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE) and British Institution of Agricultural Engineers 1983; Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) 1986 and Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) in 1986. He is a prolific machine designer, fabricator and agro-industrial project consultant. Some of his works include: palm oil mills, cassava processing machinery, rice processing mills, grain threshers, air-screen grain cleaners, soya beans threshers, feed mills, harmer mills, crops dryers etc. In short, the projects that bear the professional stamp of Engr. Akintola are too numerous for listing but it suffices to say that Engr. Akintola has handled projects in nearly all the states of Nigeria. He has also been a consultant to some state governments in the establishment of rice and cassava processing factories.

In research and development, Engr. Akintola has authored over 14 engineering policy and scientific papers. He has served as a member of COREN ACCREDITATION TEAMS to many Nigerian Universities. He is well travelled both nationwide and globally.

On resumption of office as Federal Director of Cooperatives in February 2016, he was passionate about re-engineering and modernizing the Cooperative sector and sharpening the business/entrepreneurial focus of the sector. This he pursued and attained to a large extent till his retirement from service in September, 2018.

Other notable achievement of Engr. Akintola in the Cooperative sector include;

  • Implementation of curriculum review of Federal Cooperative Colleges to include 9 micro finance and entrepreneurship courses.
  • Status upgrade of Federal Cooperative Colleges from Mono-technics to Polytechnics through the addition of degree programmes in Banking and Finance and Computer Science to ensure that the Colleges produce 21st century Cooperative Professionals.
  • Strengthening of the performances of major National Cooperative Apexes and Societies and their business focus.
  • Ensured regular hosting of NCCA and effective guidance of the council to take far reaching decisions aimed at revitalizing and strengthening of the Cooperative sector.
  • Strengthened the role of Nigerian Cooperative movement in ICA – Africa Alliance and ensured Nigeria hosted the 2018 African Ministerial Cooperative Conference (AMCCO).
  • Encouraged closer interaction of all Cooperative Directors in the country through ICT and physical contacts.
  • Promoted and strongly advocated for the deployment of ICT management solutions for the management of Cooperative Societies.
  • Encouraged the establishment of CRASoN and ensured the Endorsement of the Honorable Minister in Charge of cooperative affairs that led to Maiden Edition of the Nigerian National Cooperative Awards.

He is a fellow of Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers (FNIAE), a Fellow of Institute of Chartered Administrators of Nigeria (FCAI), and a Fellow of Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC). He is an astute personality and a quintessential public servant, a motivator and leader of men full of practical talents and insight.

Engr. Akintola is happily married with wonderful children.

Hon. Victor Oyegoke

CRASoN President/CEO

Victor Oyegoke is a seasoned Cooperative and Micro-finance expert, a business development professional, a sales person, team leader, and manager of people with almost two and half decades of working experience in Commercial Banking, Retail Marketing, Financial Cooperatives, Micro-finance Banking, Cooperative Bookkeeping & Auditing, Business Development, Consultancy and Advisory services.

He is a resourceful person, an author, and a mentor with a great passion for cooperative youth and women socio-economic empowerment. Prior Starting up Cooperative Support Services (CoopSupport.ng), a Management Consulting & Advisory Services firm wholly for Cooperatives based in Lagos, Nigeria and the pioneering of Cooperative Rating & Award Institution known as the Cooperative Rating & Award Society of Nigeria (CRASoN.coop), he grew along the ladder of corporate governance and has held various management levels and member Board of Trustees at various financial institutions and Cooperative Organizations.

He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and the Institute of Cooperative Professionals of Nigeria (ICOPRON). He graduated with distinction from the prestigious premier cooperative institution in Africa – the Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan, Oyo State, where he studied Cooperative Economics and Management. Had a Professional Graduate Certificate on Platform Cooperative Now from Platform Cooperative Consortium at The New School, New York, USA, and MTA-Mondragon University, Spain

He believed so much in personal development and, hence, has attended several seminars, workshops, and conferences at home here in Nigeria and abroad at the Cooperative College, Manchester, United Kingdom. He is currently a faculty team member of the North America Student of Co-operation (NASCO) Institute in Michigan USA.

He is currently the Special Assistant on Cooperatives and Farmer’s Welfare to the Honourable Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He loves travelling, volunteering, cooking, dancing, listening to news, and surfing the internet for information on everything Cooperatives and Financial Services coupled with eCommerce and Cryptocurrency as an enthusiast.

Mrs. Sikaiye O. Temitope

President LIMCU Member, Advisory Board

Engr. Akintola started his professional career in 1983 as a Seed Processing Engineer with the National Seed Service Ibadan. His proficiency stamp could be seen till today in the 6 seed processing installations he helped to establish at Oyo, Ilorin, Damaturu, Jos, Talata Mafara, Kontagora and excellent mechanization activities in several seed farms across the country.

Engr. Akintola is registered with many professional bodies, some of which include: Nigeria Society of Agricultural Engineers (NSAE) 1983; American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE) and British Institution of Agricultural Engineers 1983; Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) 1986 and Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) in 1986. He is a prolific machine designer, fabricator and agro-industrial project consultant. Some of his works include: palm oil mills, cassava processing machinery, rice processing mills, grain threshers, air-screen grain cleaners, soya beans threshers, feed mills, harmer mills, crops dryers etc. In short, the projects that bear the professional stamp of Engr. Akintola are too numerous for listing but it suffices to say that Engr. Akintola has handled projects in nearly all the states of Nigeria. He has also been a consultant to some state governments in the establishment of rice and cassava processing factories.

In research and development, Engr. Akintola has authored over 14 engineering policy and scientific papers. He has served as a member of COREN ACCREDITATION TEAMS to many Nigerian Universities. He is well travelled both nationwide and globally.

On resumption of office as Federal Director of Cooperatives in February 2016, he was passionate about re-engineering and modernizing the Cooperative sector and sharpening the business/entrepreneurial focus of the sector. This he pursued and attained to a large extent till his retirement from service in September, 2018.

Other notable achievement of Engr. Akintola in the Cooperative sector include;

  • Implementation of curriculum review of Federal Cooperative Colleges to include 9 micro finance and entrepreneurship courses.
  • Status upgrade of Federal Cooperative Colleges from Mono-technics to Polytechnics through the addition of degree programmes in Banking and Finance and Computer Science to ensure that the Colleges produce 21st century Cooperative Professionals.
  • Strengthening of the performances of major National Cooperative Apexes and Societies and their business focus.
  • Ensured regular hosting of NCCA and effective guidance of the council to take far reaching decisions aimed at revitalizing and strengthening of the Cooperative sector.
  • Strengthened the role of Nigerian Cooperative movement in ICA – Africa Alliance and ensured Nigeria hosted the 2018 African Ministerial Cooperative Conference (AMCCO).
  • Encouraged closer interaction of all Cooperative Directors in the country through ICT and physical contacts.
  • Promoted and strongly advocated for the deployment of ICT management solutions for the management of Cooperative Societies.
  • Encouraged the establishment of CRASoN and ensured the Endorsement of the Honorable Minister in Charge of cooperative affairs that led to Maiden Edition of the Nigerian National Cooperative Awards.

He is a fellow of Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers (FNIAE), a Fellow of Institute of Chartered Administrators of Nigeria (FCAI), and a Fellow of Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC). He is an astute personality and a quintessential public servant, a motivator and leader of men full of practical talents and insight.

Engr. Akintola is happily married with wonderful children.