ABSTRACT

The role of co-operate in the socio-economic development of any society cannot be over emphasized. Co-operative movement plays an important role in the socio-economic development of any state. In Nigeria, the impact of co-operative movement in the development of the economy has not been fully recognized. This contributed to the need for this research study, in socio-economic development of Ekwusigo Local Government Area. In this research study the major aim is to identify the contributions, future prospects, problems and recommendations for solving these problems.

Some relevant literatures about co-operative organization on this research study were reviewed. Data were then collected from Ekwusigo Local government Area in Anambra state, through questionnaires and oral interview.

The major recommendations are that co-operative business should be injected with more capital to boost their business, proper education to the members for effective management. The government should come to the aid of societies through loans, grants and subsides, this will go a long way to improving the members socio-economically.

With this recommendation, co-operative organization can stand a better chance to play a major role in socio-economic development of Ekwusigo Local Government Area.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title                                                               i

Approval Page                                                 ii

Dedication                                                      iii

Acknowledgement                                            iv-v

Abstract                                                         vi-vii

Table of Contents                                            viii-x

CHAPTER ONE

1.0  Introduction                                             1

1.1  Background of the study                            1-5

1.2  Statement of the problem                          5

1.3  Objectives of the study                              5-6

1.4  Research Questions                                   6-7

1.5  Research Hypothesis                                 7-8

1.6  The significance of the study                      8

1.7  The scope of the study                              9

1.8  Limitation of the study                              10-11

1.9  Definition of terms                                    11-13

CHAPTER TWO

2.0  Literature Review                                      14

2.1  Introduction                                             14-15

2.2  Cooperative Ethos and systems                  15-17

2.3  Brief history of cooperative society                     18-20

2.4  Organization of cooperative society                    20-21

2.5  Social and Economic viability in cooperative societies 22-24

2.6  The Relevance of cooperative in Agricultural Development 25 – 27

2.7   The need for cooperative in employment opportunities 27-28

2.8  The problem facing Nigeria cooperative

society opportunity                                   28-30

2.9  The contributions of cooperative society in Nigeria. 30-32

CHAPTER THREE

3.0  Research methodology/introduction                   33

3.1  Research Design                                       33

3.2  Population of the study/sample size                   33-34

3.3  Source of data                                          34-35

3.4  Method of data Analysis                             35-36

3.5  Validation of research instrument                36

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0  Presentation and analysis of data                37

4.1  Introduction                                             37

4.2  data presentation                                      37-64

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0  Summary of findings, conclusion and recommendation 65

5.1  Summary of findings                                 65-67

5.2  Conclusion                                               68

5.3  Recommendation                                      68-69

       Questionnaire                                           70-75

       Bibliography                                             76-78

CHAPTER ONE

1.0  INTRODUCTION

1.1  BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The general history of co-operative can be traced back to industrial revolution which took place in the 19^th century in England.

Co-operative societies are autonomous bodies formed by human beings with similar economic and socio-interest. Their major object is to improve on the socio-economic contributions of their members by mutual assistance.

The effort of the government basically is to enhance the socio-economic conditions of the citizens, this is prevalent in both developing and developed countries. There is a common task by the government and the citizen in trying to the vicious circle of underdevelopment. In pursuing and attaining these goals the formation of co-operative was advocated.

Co-operative can be viewed from different angles. According to Berko (1989) he gave a comprehensive definition of co-operative “as association of persons with variable membership, who have pooled themselves and their resources together on mutual or self-help basis to form a business enterprise which seeks to solve the socio-economic problems of these members by directly providing goods and service to them in their capacity as either the customers or employees of the co-operative enterprises.