BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Cooperative society is one of the principal agents of economic development of every society. It is not only an avenue for job opportunities, but also as a training ground for the rural dwellers and other society and economic benefits. Hence, Dogarawa (2015) opined that it is a strong factor in the nation’s economic development. Helms (2015) define cooperative society as an association of persons who have voluntarily joined together to have a common end through the formation of a democratically controlled enterprise, making equitable contribution to the capital required and accepting a fair share of the risk and benefit of the undertaking in which the member activity participate.

On the other hand it could be seen as a voluntarily association of persons having mutual ownership in providing themselves some needed service on non-profit basis usually organized as a legal entity to accomplish objectives through joint participation of its members (Nafziger and Auvinen, 2013). As it is, the problem faced by the rural dwellers in Nigeria today is complex. It is those in the rural community who have to produce not only enough for their families but also for industries and urban population. They also have to produce cash crops either for processing by local industries or for export. Still they lack the basic necessities of life and for their economic development (Helms, 2015).

Nwankwo (2007) noted that as an enterprise, cooperatives are active in markets locally, national and worldwide. Thus, cooperative is a socio-economic group, the cooperative system is one through which the majority of the less privileged people in the world can part with misery, depression and oppression by joining the part for self-realization and restriction of any social, political, racial or religious discrimination to all persons who make use of its services and are willing to accept the responsibility of membership (Mayokun, 2008).

Cooperative has been defined by various authors, scholars and bodies, however all the definitions agreed to the synergy effect of the voluntarily formed group of people which leads to the achievement of their goals. Olutayo (2008) stated that cooperatives are autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise. Equally, Umebali (2002) quoting ILO (1986) described cooperative as an association of humans who have voluntarily come together and has agreed to work collectively at their common risk and with resources contributed by all towards an improvement of common socio-economic interest, which working singularly, they cannot achieve.

Okechukwu (2001) attested to the above definition as he defined cooperative society as an incorporated association in which persons join together on their own free will to obtain some economic service which would be either too difficult or too costly for each to obtain by working alone. Cooperatives are based on the value of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality and solidarity (Nwankwo, 2007).

The basic concepts of cooperatives were identified by different authors as stated in its principles set by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) review of 1995 Onuoha (1998) highlighted the principles as:

• Open and voluntary membership
• Democratic member participation
• Member economic participation
• Autonomy and independence
• Education, training and information
• Cooperative among cooperatives
• Concern for community
  

  STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

  In many parts of Nigeria, cooperatives face one or more of the following crises: crisis of ideology, crisis of capital, crisis of credibility and crisis of management). Other challenges are cultural transformation, competition, expansion, wage solidarity, centralization, reorganization, and programmes to increase productivity and participation. The major problems of cooperatives is how to keep balance in the two parts of cooperative business, efficiency and democracy since those who are charged with the operation of a cooperative chiefly the board and manager must serve two masters: the imperatives of good business practice and the social purpose of a community of people.

  In addition, the cooperative sector suffers from an internal handicap of its own making: the frequent failure of various types of cooperatives to work closely together as a sector. Because of their voluntary and democratic nature, cooperatives have been reluctant to impose strict disciplines on themselves – they much prefer to act by common consent and persuasion.

  The cooperative sectors are face with challenges in decision making which will suit the needs of customers, members, patrons, and owners. Therefore, this study is geared towards finding out how cooperative societies are helping in economic empowerment of members in ABIA State

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page

Certification

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Table of Contents

Abstract

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

• Background to the study
• Statement of the Problem
• Research questions
• The Objectives of the Study
• Significance of the Study
• Scope of the Study
• Operational Definition of Terms

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

2.1 Review of Related Literature
2.2 Empirical Studies
2.3 Theoretical Framework

2.4 Review of Relevant concept
2.5 Summary of the literature

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research Design

3.2 Population of the Study

3.3 Sample Size and Sampling Techniques

3.4 Research Instrument

3.5 Validation of the Research Instrument

3.6 Reliability of the Research Instrument

3.7 Research Procedure

3.8 Methods of Data Analysis

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULT AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

4.1 Data presentation and analysis

4.2 Testing of hypothesis

4.3 Discussion of finding

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Summary of Study

5.3 Summary of Major Findings

5.4 Recommendations

5.5 Limitation of the Study

5.6 Suggestions for Future Research

References

Appendix