Global Support Foundation

Golden's Appreciation for education and social enterprise were originally prompted by his parents: Chief Robert Anikwe - a retired Deputy Director of Co-operatives in Enugu State; and Mrs Idah Nwamaka Anikwe - also a retired School headmistress, in Enugu State, Nigeria. Upon completing his Secondary School education in 1984, Golden went on to teach English Language and Economics at Allins Institute of Stenography in Agbani-Enugu State and later proceeded to study Co-operatives at the Federal Co-operative College, Oji River and Enugu State University of Science and Technology where he obtained a B.Sc in Co-operatives and Rural Development.

Golden had a stint with the old Anambra Co-operative Federation (ACFED Limited) as a Supervisor between 1988-1989 and later worked with the Internal Audit Department of Federal Ministry of Police Affairs 1990 and 1996,

In 1997 he moved to Ireland and continued to develop his understanding of social enterprise by pursuing an M.Sc degree in Co-operatives and Social Enterprise at University College Cork. A Diploma in Professional Legal Studies and degree in Law at Griffith College Dublin, further underscore his interest in and pursuit of equality and social justice.

Having had an extensive background as both a Co-operative promoter and practitioner, Equality and Social Justice advocate, Golden recognised Co-operatives as a veritable platform through which individuals’ cultural, social, economic, and political emancipation can be realised. He also realised that giving community members the opportunity to contribute directly towards the economic development of their locality was vital for the enhancement of their capacity to participate in the society.

This vision of a multicultural Ireland, in which ethnic communities could unlock their full potential by pooling their skills and resources to develop community-led businesses, ultimately inspired the creation of the CSS(Co-operative Support Service Limited, Ireland). CSS focused on providing nation-wide business support to a number of co-operatives situated around the country, promoting socially sustainable business practices, raising awareness of the co-operative movement, and providing community education on the different aspects of social enterprises.

As an enduring activist for social change, both in Ireland and his native Nigeria, Golden continues to act as catalyst for socio-economic transformation through the medium of social enterprise. In his brief visit to Nigeria in 2015, Golden founded an NGO, Global Support Foundation for Grassroots Entrepreneurship. The projected mandate of this NGO provided the inspiration, motivation, and impetus behind his proposed Ph.D research interest, titled: “Self-Help Groups and International Development Agencies: A Study of Poverty Alleviation for the Marginalized and Less-Privileged in Nigeria - 2010 to 2018.” A critical insight and extensive analysis will be dedicated to the activities of this NGO in the course of writing his final Ph.D dissertation.

A former committee member of the Society of Co-op Studies in Ireland and member of the Irish institute of Legal Executives, Golden has received numerous Awards and Recognitions in Ireland for his visionary, innovative, and entrepreneurial abilities in effecting social change in Ireland.

HIGHER EDUCATION: Philipps University, Marburg, Germany: Institute for Co-operation in Developing Countries (ICDC), Department of Sociology

ACADEMIC AREA: Development Economics

SPECIALIZATION: Co-operative Economics and Management; Ethno-Sociology.

SPECIAL INTEREST AREAS: Co-operative Law; Co-operative Development Policy; Producer Co-operatives; Marketing Co-operatives; Housing Co-operatives; Saving and Credit Co-operatives; Co-operatives and Entrepreneurship, Preparation of Programmes in Co-operative Science

LECTURING EXPERIENCE: Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, Nigeria (1977-1988) Anambra State University of Technology (ASUTECH), Enugu, Nigeria (1988-1991); Enugu- State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Enugu, Nigeria (1991-2020); University of Lagos; Lecturer in Economics; COSU/COSIT Programme (External Programme), 1978-1980.

HEADSHIP OF DEPARTMENT; i. Department of Co-operative Economics and Management, IMT, 1983-1987.
ii. Department of Co-operatives and Rural Development, ASUTECH, 1988-1991.
iii. Department of Co-operatives and Rural Development, ESUT, 1991-1992:1996-1998; 2000-2007.

EXTERNAL EXAMINER: Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Ananbra State, Nigeria, Oko Polytechnic, Oko, Ananbra State, Nigeria, IMT, Enugu, Nigeria, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria; Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna (1984-2019); Federal Co-operative Colleges (1982-2019)

ACADEMIC OUTPUT: Several textbooks, monographs, journal articles, chapters in books of reading and seminar papers.

SERVICE ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Kaduna
(i) Member of Committee/Panel to prepare / Review Programmes in Co-operative Economics and Management, 1982 – 2018
(ii) Accreditation panels to various polytechnics and monotechnics, Co-operative Economics and Management Programmes, 1982-2018.

CONSULTANT: Federal Department of Co-operatives, Nigeria, 1998-2012 (i) Panel /Committee to prepare Co-operative Development Policy (1995-1997)
(ii) Panel on the Revitalization of the Nigerian Co-operatives (2000-2002)
(iii) Panel on the Preparation of data base on the Nigerian Co-operative Movement (2002-2003)

SERVICES OUTSIDE NIGERIA: 1. African University for Co-operative Development (AUCD), Cotonou, Republic of Benin;
a. Prepared its B.Sc. and M.Sc. Programmes in Co-operative Economic and Organization
b. Member, Panel on Ph.D. Programmes.
c. External Supervisor for M.Sc. Dissertations in Co-operative Economics and Organization, Anglophone students

Mr. Geoffrey is an IT Expert, with great love and passion for innovation and tech, a graduate of Computer Science (B.sc.) from University of Port Harcourt, in Rivers State.

Improving his expertise as a tech-savvy, Geoffrey is hands on with OCA/OCP, MCITP, and also proficient in systems analysis and design using Unified Modeling Language (UML), Web and Mobile Apps development using emerging technologies.

Geoffrey who embraced tech in his early days in the university, started development in 2008, his highly experienced in mobile, stand-alone and web applications for private companies and government establishments.

With his outstanding, resourceful and innovative skills in leadership, he has lead a team of developers to develop and deploy variety of systems including enterprise solutions for management and business analysis.

Serve as Head Technical Instructor under NDDC Graduade Skill Acquisition Program contracted to Kingsmate Technologies Limited, Aba, training tasks including training, evaluation and selection for regional competition. Delivered trainings, exams and mentoring to meet project requirements.

His vast knowledge in tech and leadership skills made him successfull in transforming serveral businesses digitally, helping them drive sales, increasing social online presences and helping them be accountable.

This entrepreneurial skills gave him an edge in leading the all-important task of the position of the General Manager of GSF to deliver impresive, timely, and scalable Co-operative enterprise business to transform many more individuals and businesses to greater heights.

Ms Akilo Franca is a graduate of English Language and Literature (Bachelor of Education) from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She was born in june 1992 and hails from Uzaku, Ukwa west local government of Abia state, Nigeria.

Having completed her compulsory one year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Franca went further to complete a Diploma course in secretarial and information technology institute where she received diverse and extensive orientation in administration and office management.

Her enthusiatic display in teaching and learning field is of the climax when she had a stint in her Alma Mater where she has been teaching Literature before her appointment as the Administrative Manager to Global Support Foundation for Grassroot Entrepreneurship.

Her teaching experience spans into: Rock foundation college G.R.A onitsha, Federal Government College 33 Onitsha, Delta state institute of continuing education Asaba. She is of no doubt a model worthy of emulation, her wide experience in social and community relations and engagement has proof her key entrepreneurial abilities to promote Co-operative enterprise business.