Sustainable economic development is a cornerstone of strong, self-reliant communities. Recognizing the essential role that women play in household stability, business creation, and community welfare, the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Cosmopolitan organized a one-day intensive training tagged “Practical Guide to Sustainable Economic Growth in Communities”. The programme was specially designed for members of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Oginigba, equipping them with the right knowledge and tools to build thriving cooperative ventures, strengthen economic self-sufficiency, and contribute meaningfully to community growth.

The training featured three highly experienced speakers who provided deep insights into governance, leadership, cooperative values, business planning, and financial management. With a practical, interactive structure, the event ensured that participants gained both theoretical understanding and real-life strategies applicable to their daily economic activities.
To further create a warm and engaging atmosphere, all participants received refreshments, fostering networking and collaborative discussions among the women.

Understanding the Foundation of Community Economic Growth

Cooperatives remain one of the most powerful vehicles for grassroots economic development—especially for vulnerable groups such as widows, low-income families, and spouses of security personnel. They provide platforms for shared resources, collective responsibility, and mutual support. The training began with an exploration of what makes cooperatives effective and how members can harness these principles to transform their households and communities.

The first session, delivered by Ibioku J. Owugah, Esq., LLM, focused on Understanding Cooperative Principles and Values. She emphasized the history, structure, and global success of cooperative movements, outlining the seven universally recognized cooperative principles: voluntary and open membership, democratic member control, member economic participation, autonomy and independence, education and training, cooperation among cooperatives, and concern for community.

Owugah explained that when women embrace these principles, they gain the power to build strong financial groups capable of addressing shared needs—whether through savings schemes, food distribution cooperatives, skill-based enterprises, or small-scale production units. She also stressed the difference between a cooperative and a conventional business, highlighting that cooperatives exist to serve their members first.

Participants were encouraged to view cooperatives not as casual associations but as structured organizations capable of driving local wealth creation. The session provided clarity, confidence, and inspiration for many of the women who were eager to explore cooperative ventures or strengthen the ones they already belonged to.

Leadership, Governance, and Managing Conflicts in Cooperatives

Effective leadership remains one of the most important variables in the survival and growth of cooperative organizations. The second session was delivered by Janefrances Ojoma Bianeyin, Esq., LLM, on Governance, Leadership, and Conflict Resolution in Cooperatives.

She defined governance as the framework of rules, practices, and processes through which a cooperative is directed and controlled. According to her, cooperative officers must uphold accountability, transparency, fairness, and ethical conduct to maintain members’ trust and ensure long-term success. She further highlighted the roles of key officers such as the president, secretary, treasurer, and committees.

Bianeyin underscored that leadership within cooperatives must be participatory rather than authoritarian. Since cooperatives are built on democratic control, leaders are custodians of collective interests. She provided practical guidance on effective communication, member engagement, team building, and participatory decision-making.

One of the most impactful aspects of her session was the segment on conflict resolution. She noted that conflicts are inevitable in group structures but must be managed quickly and constructively. She taught participants techniques such as mediation, negotiation, and maintaining open dialogue. The attendees expressed appreciation for the practical examples and role-play sessions that demonstrated peaceful conflict resolution strategies.

Her session concluded with a reminder that strong leadership and good governance are non-negotiable for long-lasting cooperative growth.