Cooperative Societies and the Development of Rural Communities in Nigeria
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The broad objective of the study is to examine the contribution of co-operative societies to the development of ogoja metropolis.
The specific objectives are as follows:
- To identify or determine whether co-operatives societies have contributed to the development of rural areas in ogoja metropolis
- To find out the financial problem areas affecting the contribution of co-operative societies to the development of ogoja metropolis
- To determine the impact of the strategies design and adopted by co-operative societies in rural development
- Make recommendation on ways towards ensuring greater success of co-operative societies in future
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF COOPERATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
Birchall (1997, 1998) traces the birth of modern cooperatives to Britain at the end of the eighteen century. Friendly societies emerged among working class group to protect themselves against life hazards through mutual insurance, numbering over a million by 1834. They were seen as a self help movement, being a response to the insecurities of reliance on wage labour arising with industrial revolution. In Nigeria the development of cooperative was influenced by government policies. This could be traced back to 1926 when the department of Agriculture started to organize Cocoa farmers around Abeokuta and Ibadan in western Nigeria, to sell their cocoa cooperatively (Ibrahim, 2001). A cooperative is an organization in which those who transact with (i.e. patronize) the organisations also own and formally control the organization, and derive significant benefits from those of transactions over and above any financial returns they derive from their investment in the organization (Ijere,1992). This definition captures the patronage-based returns aspect that appears to distinguish Cooperatives from other forms of organization. According to International cooperative alliance (1995): Cooperative organization is 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 enterprises. Another definition provided by Mladentaz (1933) cited by Ibrahim (2001) describes Cooperatives as: “Association of persons, small producers or consumers, who have come together voluntarily to achieve some of common purpose by a reciprocal exchange of services through a collective economic enterprise working at their common risk and with resources to which all contribute
COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES
According Baarda (2006) the cooperative principles are as follows Voluntary and open membership: Cooperative societies are voluntary organisations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination. Democratic member control: cooperative organisations are democratic organisations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperative organisations members have equal voting rights (one member one vote) and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner. Member economic participation: members contribute equitably to and democratically control the capital of their cooperative. At least part of the capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. They usually receive limited compensation if any, on capital subscribed as condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership. Autonomy and Independence: Cooperative organisations are autonomous self-help organisations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organisations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy. Education, Training and Information: cooperative organisations provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public, particularly young people and opinion leaders about the nature and benefits of cooperation. Cooperation among cooperatives: cooperatives serve their community most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures. Concern for the community: while focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to cooperative societies and the development of rural communities in Nigeria.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
DATA ANALYSIS
The data collected from the respondents were analyzed in tabular form with simple percentage for easy understanding.
A total of 133(one hundred and thirty three) questionnaires were distributed and 133 questionnaires were returned.
Question 1
Gender distribution of the respondents.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain co-operative societies and the development of rural communities in Nigeria
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of the co-operative societies and the development of rural communities in Nigeria
Summary
This study was on co-operative societies and the development of rural communities in Nigeria. Four objectives were raised which included: To identify or determine whether co-operatives societies have contributed to the development of rural areas in ogoja metropolis, to find out the financial problem areas affecting the contribution of co-operative societies to the development of ogoja metropolis, to determine the impact of the strategies design and adopted by co-operative societies in rural development, make recommendation on ways towards ensuring greater success of co-operative societies in future. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 selected communities in Ogoja metropolis. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made up married men, married women, village heads and elders were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
Poverty is seen as a rural phenomenon and where majority of the people in the developing nations lived. Many rural areas have benefitted in one way or the other with various projects executed by cooperative organizations in communities. In Nigeria cooperatives provide locally needed services, employment and contribute a sense of community and social cohesion. People come together in cooperative societies to pool their resources together so as to meet individual needs that could not be resolved by individual limited financial capacity
Recommendation
Government at the three levels and all stake holders should endeavour to assist cooperatives because of their multiplier effects on poverty reduction, food security, and job and wealth creation.
REFERENCES
- Amburgey, T. L., & Dacin, M. T. (1993). Evolutionary development of credit unions. Wisconsin centre for credit union, Wisconsin Research University.
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- Baarda, J. (2004). Outside Equity: Obligation, Tradeoffs Fundamental Cooperative character selected paper at the NCERA-194 2004 Annual Meeting, November 2, 2013. Retrieved October 2013, from www.agecon.ksu.edu/accc/ncr194/Events/2004meeting/Baarda2004.pdf
- Barron, D. N. (1992). Credit unions: Density-dependent Evolution. Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin.
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- Bichi, M. Y. (2004). Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics. Kano: Debis Co press and publishing
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- Birchall, J (2004). Cooperative and the Millennium Development Goals. Geneva: International Labour Office.
- Crooks, A. (2004). The Horizon problem and New Generation Cooperatives: Another Look at Minnesota Corn processor Cooperative Capitalization. Selected paper at the NCERA 194 2004 annual meeting, November 02, 2004. http:/www.agecon.ksu.edu/accc/ncr194/Events/2013 Meeting/crookspaper.pdf.
