1.0 Introduction
Since the existence of Nigeria, various government both the colonial and post independence governments devised to different means of developing the nationals economy. The colonial government of Nigerian introduced the concept of cooperative movement in Nigeria after studying its concept in Europe as a strategy for developing the country economy. Cooperative have provision for education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers and employees so that they can contribute effectively to the development of the society, education is the bedrock upon which cooperative is built. It is important for the cooperative to embark on educational projects for its members, employees and the general public in that it is through cooperative education that people will come to understand the ideals of cooperation and willingly join cooperative societies.
Cooperative education is necessary for cooperative movement to ensure the preservation of the cooperative ideology, recruit new members and create a favourable atmosphere for the running of cooperative societies. Cooperative education that people will come to understand the ideals of cooperation and willingly join cooperative societies.
Cooperative education is necessary for cooperative movement to ensure the preservation of the cooperative ideology, recruit new members and create a favourable atmosphere for the running of cooperative societies. Cooperative education can be imported through the formal classrooms, seminars, and symposium, mass and print media. 21/2 percent of the cooperative net surplus is set aside for cooperative education among cooperatives.
1.1 Background of the Study
Cooperative movement can be traced back to Britain into a second half of the 21st century. Cooperative movement came into being as a result of capital owner's introduction of new method of production in order to increase productivity and as well accumulate more wealth at the expense of labour. According to Onuoha (1986), will the invention of the textill Indus try was completed and the stage was set for the clsassi9c capitalist exploration of labour moreover, okokwo (1989) went further to say that these capitalist, employed thousand owners were more interested in making profit.
This exploration of workers buy the capital owner led to agitation by workers for better condition by their employers because of problem encountered in their labour area they decided to from an organization, which will help to ameliorate their economic condition according to okonkwo (1989), the year 1844 marks the birth of cooperative movement in the world he went further to say that “ a group of 28 working class people, most of the weaves, launched the first ever successful cooperative society. These 28 working class the early fathers of the cooperative movement are know in cooperative history as the Rockdale equitable pioneers with a capital of 128.
Following its enormous role in great suitably some of the countries borrowed the idea of cooperative movement in developing their economy. As a result of these positive development the government of Nigeria, under Britain colony appointed Mr. C.F. Strickland in 1933 to study and report on the feasibility of forming cooperative societies in Nigeria, as a way of curibing her economic s problems, Mr. Strickland recommended the introduction of cooperative movement in Nigeria in the report be submitted in 1934. according to Okonkwo (1986) his ( Mr. strickland) report was accepted by government and so in 1933, the Nigeria cooperative society ordinance was enacted and in the following year 1936, regulation was drawn up for the running of cooperative societies. The cocoa marketing societies at Grbedum was the first registered cooperative movement in Nigeria still in 1936, there was a regionalization to cooperative in eastern Nigeria and Northern.
Cooperative movement. In 1936, the regional concept was abolished and as such the central state emerged among others. Apex organization were established such as the East Central State Cooperatives Development Association (E.C.S.D.A). Which came into existence in 1973 to monitor and land funds to the primary societies. In 1976, Anambra state was created and Anambra state financing Agency took over from (E.C.S.D.A). In 1778, the name of the Nigeria Agric Bank (N.A.B) was changed to Nigeria Agricultural and cooperative Bank (N.A.C.B),the major objective of this action is to finance the operational scheme of the primary societies through (N.C.F.A). Moreover, people bank and community bank have in giving loans to cooperative societies as a very low interest rate .
1.2 Statement of the Problem
This research work intend to study the cooperative societies and their role in urban development from the point of observation, it is quite dear that in spite of government patronage of cooperative, they have performed below expectations. Consequently have the cooperatives actually fulfilled the aims of establishing them in order word, what role have they played in the following area.
1.3 Objective of the Study
This research work is designed to establish the role of the cooperative societies in the urban development. in the light of findings, to recommend how the contributions of cooperative societies in urban development can be improved. Similarly the findings, will provide useful information for the incoming generation who wish to carry out more research on this subject matter.
1.4 Research Questions
The following research questions were used to develop questionnaires through which data on rolek of cooperative in the urban development were collected,
- Has the cooperatives movement any economic and development benefit?
- Does the cooperative movement operate on and dynamic functional structure?
- What impact has the movement played in upliftment of the socio-economic welfare of its member k that is meant to gear them towards productivity?
- What are the functions of this movement?
- Has the cooperative movement made achievement that might be geared towards economic growth?
1.5 Statement of Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: Cooperative has not made impact in the development of cooperative.
- H1: Cooperative has made impact in the development of cooperative.
Hypothesis Two
- H0: Organization that does not has their staff is not likely to be effective in the management of their enterprises.
- H1: Organisation that has their staff is likely to be effective in the management of their enterprise.
1.6 Significance of the Study
Having learnt of the criticisms leveled against cooperative body the researcher want to carryout a research on what functions and its benefits is the cooperatives to the socio-economic growth of the society. The researcher also want to have an empirical idea to support all the sortc4e about the power impression people have of the movement and do advice them on how to improve their service by going through the researchers recommendation. This is one of the reasons why this study become very necessary.
The study's sought to x-ray the continued importance and problems of COFAS in urban development withk a view to finding lasting solution to itsk problems. Increasing COFAS efficiency and reawakening the government to the need to give prompt attention and assistance to COFAS in order to enable them to play a role in urbani development very well. This study will also be a useful documents to cooperative societies, economic planers, students, instructors and general public. It is hoped also that this study will be a reference document for pastering.
1.7 Scope of the Study
This study is primarily focused on the role of cooperative in urban development with emphasis on their roles towards socio-economic growth of the nation. Nevertheless, there was still the need to move out of COFAS to the individual cooperatives and cooperators to know how they react to the urban development and then know how COFAS impacts either positively or negatively to the urban development.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
Every study has its own constraints and limitations. These goes a long way to affect their overall exercise, the attainable result not with standing. in the same wayk this research has its own limitation which include the following:
- The research has limited access to records and statistical data relevant to this work.
- Time factors was another limitations as there was not enough time to do some field work ijn which would have proved invaluable to the success of this work.
- Another problems is the financial constraints in buying the materials needed for the study, transportation cost of going to the area of study to distribute and collect the research questionnaire is highly forcing the researcher to financial squeeze.
- The indifferent attitude of the cooperative officials towards organizing and managing their records. Properly made is very difficulty to obtain correct data.
- Some of the cooperators were ignorant of the purpose k and significance of this study, thus most evident low percentage of the questionnaires returned.
1.9 Definition of Terms
Apex Cooperative:
This is a registered cooperative society formed by other societies to facilitates their operation at the sate cooperative development association.
A.C.F.A. (Anambra Cooperative Financial Agency):
These groups look over from (E.C.S.D.A.) and their work is also to monitor and lend funds to the primary societies.
NACA:
Nigeria Agricultural and Cooperative Bank: It was formerly know as Nigeria agric bank.“NAB and the major objectives of the bank were to fiance the operational scheme of the primary societies through A.C.F.C. Anambra state. Cooperative financial agency.
A Cooperative:
Anyone who feels, he desire needs the services of a cooperative business enterprises and belongs to one or more. It is who believe and share membership of a cooperative.
COFAS:
Coperative Federation of Anambra State Limited. And it is stated of formed in the year 1991.
Development:
This simply means an increase in the skill, knowledge, power and responsibility of employees.
Roles functions/Responsibilities:
This simply means the job or work carried out by the cooperative movement. To enable the growth and development of the organization.
