The President, NOUN Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society (NSMCS), National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Mr. Lazarus Sabo Bala, has said that welfare of members of the society as well as their satisfaction was his major concern.
Bala stated this on Thursday, February 8, 2024 while fielding questions from NOUN News correspondent shortly after his inauguration for the second term as the president of the society during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at NOUN headquarters, Jabi, Abuja.
While thanking Almighty God for preserving him, Bala appreciated the cooperators for giving him the second chance.
“The simple fact that I was re-elected and returned unopposed simply means that you believe in my leadership and ability to take our dear cooperative to a greater height.
“Dear colleagues, I consider my second term in office as the opportunity to improve on our general welfare and growth of our cooperative,” Bala said.
Speaking on the secrets behind his re-election, he said, “commitment, commitment, just commitment and determination to succeed. When you have empathy and have people at heart, you go to any mile to make sure they are happy. We tried our best; I am not alone, it is a teamwork.
“We promised that we are going to succeed and by His grace, we are doing what you want. The major thing is not to think we are the best but act based on the need of the people. That is what we are doing.”
On what Bala intends to do differently during his second term in office, he said, “just to improve upon what we have done before and areas that there are complaints, where people are not too happy especially area of loan disbursements, we ensure that equity and fairness is being applied to make everybody happy. We will treat everybody fairly and it is based on first come, first serve.”
NSMCS president, while promising to fix the cooperative bus, heaped blames on the manager of the bus for its breakdown, assuring that when fixed, the bus will be handed over to an independent manager for proper management.
“My dream is to be remembered as somebody who has served the cooperative with fairness, genuineness and also commitments to service.
On his part, while commending the president for keeping to his promises, the Head, SERVICOM Unit, NOUN, Mrs. Margaret Boro, implored cooperators to give the president maximum support to enable him succeed as he pilots the affairs of the Society for the second term.
Having won overwhelmingly during the society’ s election in October 6, 2021, Bala took over the mantle of leadership of the society from Dr. Greg O. Onwodi after the expiration of his tenure. Again, on Thursday, October 12, 2023, he was re-elected unopposed.
