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THE ROLE OF CO-OPERATIVE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF NIGERIA: (A CASE STUDY BUREAU OF CO-OPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT AKWA IBOM STATE)

Dept: COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS File: Word(doc) Chapters: 1-5 Views: 4

Abstract

This research project is a very crucial study designed ot find out THE ROLE OF CO-OPERATIVE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT have been contributed both Educationally and Economically towards the development of Akwa Ibom State and also to find out if they made any achievement through their qualified and competent personnel. To solve the research problem both primary and secondary data were collected. The research installment used in collecting the data were questionnaires and oral interview. Questionnaires were distributed to the Bureau of Co-operative Development Staff in Akwa Ibom State. After concluding the research work, it was discovered that the co-operative were doing fairly well.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

It is pertinent at this juncture to defines what is co-operative society is all about, Okonkwo (1984) described he co-operative society as a voluntary association of free and independent persons, for the betterment of their economic conditions. This definition emphasized three important words; these are voluntary, free and economic the association is purely voluntary and there is no compulsion of any type to force one to become a member of a co-operative without the persons willingness to become a member. The member who forced co-operatives are free to? Or not.

The organization is primarily on economic motive. The definition also stressed the economic nature of the association, through, it contradicts with other business associations such as public liability companies, partnership business and social clubs. Bade (1960) saw co-operative society as an association of persons with the same economic problem and who voluntarily associate on the basis of equal right and obligation and endeavor to solve those problems mainly conduction of their own risk, an undertaking to wheal they transpired one of many of the economic function, that correspond to the needs and utilizing this undertaking for their common natural and moral benefits.

Also Water (1960) says tht co-operative societies involve the application of philosophy of brotherhood to the economy.

Berko (1987) says that “co-operative society is a voluntary and democratic association of persons, with variable membership and variable capital whose members pooled themselves and their resources together on mutual and self help basis to form a business enterprise which seeks to solve the socio-economic problem(s) of these members by directly providing goods and services to them in their capacity a either the owner/customer or owner-employees of the co-operation enterprise”.

Finally, Ajenuro (1975) maintained that co-operators pool their resources together with a view of make project or simples thus, a group of two hundred farmers may join themselves together into a co-operative society in order to pursue their farming business more efficiently and thus enhance this economic benefits. The co-operatives movement can be regarded as an invention of necessity, origination from the evils of industrial revolution of late 18th and 19th centuries in England among the working class societies. The condition of workers in Britain was very poor. To solve their economic problems the works resorted to form various types of co-operative societies that were directly beneficial to their members. The most successful of the first co-operative society was formed in 1844 at Rochdale, England called the ROCHDALE EQUITABLE PIONEERS SOCIETY and, it has twenty eight (28) members. From the impact and benefit enjoyed by the members, various kind of these organizations stated to emerged with varying names but with the common objectives of self-help and self reliance.

Due to the problems sited above, the researcher deemed its necessary ad to study how these societies has helped toward the economic development of Nigeria.

The aim of these societies was to free the members from exploitation and produce something that will yield money to take case of their need tht led them to producing and operating a co-operative shop where they sell or transact business.

Among the co-operative societies today are the consumer co-operatives, marketing co-operatives wholesale co-operative, producers co-operatives, thrift and credit co-operative societies, hey continued existence and contribution to their members in particular and economy in general call for mention in this circumstance.

 

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The introduction and formation of co-operative in Nigeria has viewed as an important tools for the development of the nation. The problem to be solved in this research work are centered on:

The general low income per head of most people in the rural areas of Nigeria economic today is a pre-requisite for group action and effort for self – help and self-reliance among themselves. This is the first and  most important reason that account for the caption of co-operative movement.

Another stinking factor trigged of this researcher work is the fact tht one people appear not to understand the role of co-operative societies in economic development.

More so, it is the non-challent attitude of most people is embracing the idea of co-operative societies as one of the viable installments for the economic development in one country. It is therefore on the foregoing promise that this research work becomes necessary in the first instance.

1.3     PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The role of co-operative societies in economic development cannot be over emphasized. However a lot of problems abound of which this research work aims to solve objectively.

 

The Purpose of the Study Includes:

To find out the lasting solution to the low income per head associated with most developing countries through the understanding of co-operative movement.

To examine the views of our people for their non-challant attitude towards co-operative societies by unlasting the various benefits accruing from the movement as it affects economic development.

To identify its usefulness as a reference point to their understanding of co-operative societies as an instrument for self-help and self-reliance.

To identify the problems associated with co-operative societies in economic development of Nigeria.

 

1.4     SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The societies of this study / project work was to cover Bureau of Co-operative Development Akwa Ibom State.

 

1.5     LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The study was conducted under the time limited of the researcher academic programme as such, time constraint was one of the obvious problems that faced the researcher.

Finance

The financial status of the researcher limited the number of respondents used for this study.

Materials

Furthermore, out library posed another limitation as textbooks, journals and articles on co-operative societies in economic development were over lacking, hence they are the key variable for the study. This affected the researcher.

Work Schedules

The exigency of duties among the respondents posed another limitation as t he researcher found it difficult to call them together on one occasion.

 

1.6     RESEARCH QUESTIONS

To guide this study, three (3) research questions and four (4) hypothesis were formulated as below and in table 1.7 respectively.

To what extent is the existence of co-operative societies help in solving the problems of income per head with most developing countries?

To what extent is the usefulness of co-operative societies serve as a reference point for the self-help and self-reliance.

To what extent has government gone to curb problems associated with co-operative societies as regards in economic development.

 

1.7     RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS (NULL)

In the course of the study, four (4) hypothesis were tested include

Ho1:           There is no significance benefits to how income per-head as regards the existence of co-operative  societies.

Ho2:           There is no significance evidence to prove tht some people have non-challant attitude towards co-operative societies.

Ho3:           There is no usefulness of co-operative societies in serving as reference point for self-help and self-reliance.

Ho4:           There is no identified problem associate with co-operative societies towards economic development.

 

18      SIGNIFICANT OF THE STUDY

A work of this nature is not without significance or relevance to some people group, countries and organization alike.

It is on five (5) premise therefore that the researcher outline the significance of the study as follows:

The study will provide grants for the rural dwellers and the less privileged groups seeking to improve their living standard through self-help and self-reliance efforts such as co-operative societies.

If is of significance to any country in the quest to improve her economic development through co-operative movement.

This research will serve as a reference point to many itching to establish co-operative societies or embark on research towards improving co-operative movement in our societies.

The society at large will benefit from various activities on projects carried out by most co-operative societies.

Government will find the existence useful as co-operative societies encourage economic development.

The study will assist in identifying various problem associated with co-operative societies.

1.9     DEFINITION OF TERMS

The following terms and concepts are used and applied in this research as defined

Role

A role in the context of this research si taken to mean a co-operative task or duty  in economic development.

Economic Development

This is the process by which communities, local government areas with low per capital national income may increase their production of goods and services, employment, level of demand so as o raise t heir standard of living.