INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, the following issues will be discussed: Background of the study, Statement of the problems, Purpose of the study, Research questions, Scope of the study, Limitations of the study etc.
Cooperative have become one of the most widespread rural-oriented socio-economic development organization in Nigeria today. There are, therefore, variable instruments for poverty alleviation.
This article, therefore, discusses the implication of cooperative formation and management for poverty alleviation. It also therefore emphesis on the importance of some governmental programs that are geared towards reducing the level of poverty in the society like Aguata Local Government. These are necessary considering the height of poverty and its attending consequences.
Co-operatives society is sometimes regarded as an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise. They are based on values of self help, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. Co-operative members believe in ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others.
However, people pool themselves and their resources together as a result of their inability to solve their problems by themselves. This inability of individuals militates against the economic development of the society and this leads to the common man. Adequate measure and policy should be put in place as a solution. The government of Nigeria has tried to alleviate poverty through the introduction of several programmes and measures. To better the lives of the masses the Nigeria government a lot of programme such as Family Support Programme (FSP). Better Life Programme for the Rural Women (BLW). Family Economic Advancement Programme (FEAP)etc. The government had also intensified co-operative society as channel through which these programmes could be implemented properly. Co-operative is also seen as the means through government incentives and aids can get to the grass roots level and proper result achieved.
It is however at this point that this project tends to review the role of co-operative in poverty alleviation.
Many advance societies have embraced the co-operative form of enterprise while other are embracing it at a fast rate. This is based on the belief that the organisation has a lot to offer. No doubt, co-operative can enhance the standard of living of people. Historically, co-operatives have developed in response to some difficult situation. The under-privileged people can gather together to protect themselves by providing things through joint action.
The general low income of most people in the rural areas is a pre-requisite for group action. Co-operative organisation is seen by the government as a tool that is capable of supplementing government efforts in raising developmental capital and thereby assisting the growth of the economics.
Poverty no doubt militates against economic development and it is also one of the causes of the suffering of the masses hunger mass exploitation and other social problems such as prostitution, bribery, rituals, armed robbery, adulteration of goods and services, corrupt practices, drug addiction, frustration illiteracy, child abuse, high morality rate and other corrupt practices which people engage themselves in other to get rich quick.
Poverty in its simplest term means people with low income. Infact, the concept of the poverty has been a topic of debate in the past and in the present. The place of co-operative in the developed nations.
Co-operative in developing nations is trying to bring job opportunities can be created by co-operative. Directly and indirectly co-operative can improve standard of living and among others. Co-operative is no doubt can contribute to poverty alleviation.
The researcher is not left. It forms part of the requirements for the award of National Diploma. The research questions include the following:
The major aim of this project is to bring to x-ray the role of co-operative in alleviation of poverty in Aguata L.G.A.
Specifically, this project also aim at:
The following are the significance of this research.
It is significant to policy makers who may be interested in formulating policy in poverty alleviation.
It is significant to the general public who may discover what their co-operative can do to change the lives. Other researchers will definitely benefit. This, it will provide source for other researchers on the same and related topics.
It is important to the co-operative movement thus useful information revealed will project the movement.
The scope of this research is to redress how co-operative society can be an instrument for poverty alleviation in Aguata L.G.A Local Government. The contribution of co-operative in alleviating poverty in Aguata L.G.A Local Government will be discussed. Ministry of Manpower Development and poverty Reduction co-operative decision will be restored as well as members and executives members of selected co-operative societies.
There are some difficulties that militates against the study such as time and the gathering of research materials. Lack of materials in the school library as a whole is very big hindrance to the research work.
There are other factors such as lack of finance.
Apathy on the part of some of some respondents. These limitations not withstanding the data collected are without bias and relevant to the research study.
1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS
1.9 Organization of the Study
This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows. Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (background of the study), statement of the problem, purpose of the study, research questions, significance of the study, scope of the study etc. Chapter two being the review of the related literature presents the theoretical framework, conceptual framework and other areas concerning the subject matter. Chapter three is a research methodology covers deals on the research design and methods adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding. Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study