Co-operative societies was established to help rural dwellers who are less privileged, who don’t have enough capital to carry out their business enterprise. In what ways have co-operative societies helped in the development of rural areas.

It was the aim of this research work to find out if co-operative societies have any impact in the development of the rural areas, the changes created so far and the suggestions as well. This research work has five chapters.

Chapter one contains a general discussion of the origin of the word co-operative as a result of the problems caused by the capitalists. It went further to state the problems to be studied and why this study was carried out, the research questions and what will be the benefits of it later, the scope and limitations of the study and finally, the definition of terms.

A member of past-related literature examined by other studies, as it relates to the co-operative societies and rural development are highlighted in chapter two.

Chapter three deals with the methodology for the study, population of the study, development of research materials, research procedure and treatment of data.

In chapter four, the data got from the research surveyed were analysed and interpreted. Also similar questions on both questionnaires were compared.

Finally, the summary of findings on the research and recommendations made the conclusion by the researcher are all in chapter five.

If co-operative societies and rural people would put the recommendations made in the study to use, there would only be increased and improved in their standard of their living but will also ensure continous growth and development in the area.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page

Approval page

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of contents

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Statement of the Problem

Objective of the Study

Significance of the Study

Research Questions

Scope of the study

Limitations of the Study

Definition of Terms

CHAPTER TWO

Literature Review

CHAPTER THREE

Methodology for the Study

Population of the Study

Determination of Sample Size

Sample Technique

Sources of Data

Research Procedure

Treatment of Data

CHAPTER FOUR

Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data

CHAPTER FIVE

Findings and Summary of the Study

Recommendation and Conclusion

Bibliography

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 INTRODUCTION

In most developing nation, co-operative societies constitutes th emost important aspects of rural development. It was proposed as a result of the evils of the industrial revolution as of (1750 – 1850). It was when the factory owners (the capitalists) exploited workers bitterly in other to maximize profit. During that period, unemployment was rife and wages were extremely low. There was child labour, shop keepers on their own part sold adulterated goods. The workers lived in over crowded shanties in an unsanitary conditions. They worked for more than twelve hours in ill-ventillated factory buildings, that looked like prison yard. These anti-social effects of the industrial revolution resulted in wide spread of poverty and sufferings, while others died of malnutrition, diseases and starvation. Life was so hard that the decade became known as “Hungary forties”. It was because of all these problems that the great men (workers) started to fought for social reform. They retaliated with violence and strikes. They condemned the evils of capitalist.

It was then that the apostles of Robert Owen (the Owenites), Dr. William King,

John Lyod

Charles Howarth

William Owenite

William Pare looked for the better way to solve their problem and later proposed the word CO-OPERATIVE as a solution to wupe out these evils. The gospel spread all over the countries of the world throughout co-operative movement. When they have successeded in 1750 through the help of Rochdule pioneers of 1844. they carried on the gospel of CO-OPERATIVE. The Rechdale pioneers includes

Charles Fourier

Charles Douwin

Louis Blank

Phillipe Scottla

Phillipe Buchez: They formed the first modern co-operative society in England known as Rochdale society of equitable pioneers made up of 28 weavers. It was also made of sub-sequent headings.

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Co-operative societies have spread all over the countries of Africa, more especially in Nigeria. It was because of its vital roles towards the development of rural areas that led to its proposal, after the F.C Strick land report.

Co-operative society help to reduce the sufferings of less priviledged ones living in the rural areas.

The problem of poverty, unemployment and poor standard of living among the rural dwellers need a self-help organisation, were they will pool their little resources together to help themselves. This will stop total dependence in government assistance. By means of forming a co-operative society that is collective action they will be able to solve their individual problems.

Co-operative society is an association of people who comes together to solve their problems through mutual action. It raises its head in metropolitan as well as in cos-metropolitan environments. It was the uniqueness of co-operation and its flexibility permits it to be practoiiced among farmers, fishermen, artisans and women.

Co-operative societies do not discriminate either in sex, religion or race. It is for all both producers and consumers, men and women, the rich and the poor, the educated and the illiterates engaged in co-operative activities.

Co-operative societies have reached to various local government areas and was headed by divisional co-operative officers to promote co-operation in the area. The research was carried on to find out the development of Oji-River local government area.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The research problem is:

Co-operative societies and rural development. The development of rural areas cannot be achieved as was expected by rural dwellers. This is because people were much dependent in government to provide all their needs which they cannot be able to solve completely because of voluminous works and other needs they have to attain. Hence government encourages people to form organisation in which they should come together to solve their problems.

Co-operative society is one of the major organisation were people mostly in rural areas emerged together to achieve their set objective. The problem is to access how important

Co-operative societies is to the rural development.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

This research has the major objective of finding out the importance of

Co-operative societies to rural development in Oji-River local government area.

Specific objectives include:-

§ To identify the help of co-operative society in motivation of rural people to form or join a Co-operative society.

§ To know how they have helped in the provision of infrastructurall facilities.

§ To access their help so far in educating the rural people.

§ To know how they have helped in providing the farmers with storage facilities.

§ To know whether they organized any market for the farmers

§ To know how they have helped to solve unemployment problems in Oji-River local government area.

§ To know how they have helped them to raise their income.

§ To know also how they have helped the farmers to receive government assistance.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

There is the need for the development of rural areas through co-operative societies. This study will show the important of co-operative societies to the rural development in Oji-River local government area, as a basis for offering informed suggestions for improvement in the rural development.

It is believed that the findings, suggestions and recommendations of this study will be beneficial to increase the importance of co-operative societies to rural development.

Specifically, this study will go a long way to improve the strong formation and foundation of co-operative society as a major means of developing rural areas. This also may result to the improved in the development of people as well as increasing their standard of living.

The individual people would be well educated which will encourage in the establishment of co-operative business enterprise, to enhance development.

The provision of basic infrastructure facilities will be affordable and both co-operative societies and government would be involved in financing agricultural activities.

The availability of processing industries and storage facilities would be provided which will reduce the wastage of goods.

Finally, the outcome of this study will be very useful to the development of Oji-River local government entirely.

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTION

§ How far have co-operative societies helped in the provision of infrastructural facilities in Oji-River?

§ Do co-operative society help in educating of the rural dwellers?

§ Do co-operatives help in eliminating the middlemen and the extortioners.

§ Do co-operative society organizes market for them.

§ Whether co-operative society solve unemployment problems in the area.

§ Do co-operative society helps them to receive government grants and subsidy.

§ Do co-operative provide storage facilities for them.

§ Do co-operative society encourage them to join co-operative societies.

§ Do co-operatives help them to raise their income.

§ Whether co-operative societies increases their standard of living.

§ Do co-operative help them in provision of transport facilities.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study is focused on the co-operative societies and rural development in Oji-River local government area. The scope also covers co-operative societies in the local government area. It means that this research could not be carried out in all the rural areas in Nigeria. The study is limited based on the fact that there is no time and material resources to see to the whole nation. The findings may not be valid to the whole co-operative societies and rural development but believed that what happened to Oji-River may be apply in other rural areas.

1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The major limitation to this study was lack of fund for transportation and time limit as well.

Another limitation was unwillingness of the co-operative officers to release certain documents which contains vital information for the study due to time problem.

Also the problem of looking for the materials related to the project topic creates difficulties and inability of some Liberians to easily release the materials.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

CO-OPERATION: It means the relationship between individual people or co-operative organisations united together to help themselves through mutual action.

RURAL URBAN MIGRATION: This also means urban rush, the movement of people from rural areas to the urban areas may be due to the problem of electricity or lack of job.

OWENITIES: They were people that fought for the community, alleviate them from their sufferings and abolished the evils of capitalism.

ROCHDALE PIONEERS: They were people that carried on the gospel ov co-operation after the twenties; they formed the first modern co-operative societies in England.