CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
The importance of the Co-operative movement in Nigerian is increasingly being realized as well as many developing countries. In Nigeria, the lead has been taken by both the Federal and State government who have declared in policy papers, and through concrete actions that Socio economic transformation can best be achieved through co-operative development. The co-operative laws of 1935, Patronage in the from of tax exemptions, subsidized purchases and credit, as well as administrative supports are a few of the manifestations of the government intentions. What has been lacking however, is the ability to the Co-operative sector to stand on its own. Ever since its inception, it has depended on government staff and hardly on its own manpower resources. This, No doubts as a result of a popular but mistaken general notion that the Co-operatives are social welfare organization, and therefore should not shoe results f profits/surpluses.
Hence there was no coherent planning nor institutional arrangement to guide, monitor and ensure the implementation of Co-operative projects. The past three National development plans are living witness to these deficiencies. In accepting the challenge of this obligatory project for final year students of the departments of Accountancy of the Institute of Management and technology, (IMT). I have, therefore chosen to present my research paper on the role of the federal government in Co-operative development in Nigeria. CO-OPERATIVE PROMOTION It is essentially the primary duty of a co-operative field workers to see to the promotion f the formation of a new society. The method of carrying out this promotional duty in Nigerian has since the 70’s changed. Prior to this period, this duty involved co-operative inspectors going to the market places, canvassing and calling on people to embrace the formation of Co-operative societies. This method has become obsolete. People are now increasingly aware of the existence and benefits of Co-operative societies and such people who are interested in forming such societies go to the co-operative inspector/held worker in his office to make liquorices about starting a new Co-operative society in their areas. It is then the duty of the field worker to furnish them with all the necessary information and guidance.