Department of Co-operative Economics and Management

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT

The department of Cooperative Economics & Management is one of the nine departments that constitute the School of Business & Management Technology (SBMT) of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri, Imo State. The seed that germinated into the department of Cooperative Economics and Management was sowed in the department of Marketing where Cooperative Courses were taught as part of their programme. In 2002, Cooperative Studies became an option in Marketing Department with the hiring, on part-time basis, of two Cooperative Professionals, Mr. Emezie Ogujiofor and then Mrs. J. Ego Obi-Okogbuo, to teach the Cooperative Courses. In 2004, Cooperative became a full-fledged department of Cooperative Studies with four foundation staff: Mr. Emezie Ogujiofor as the HOD, then Mr. Okafo Okorreaffia as Lecturer II, Mr. Michael Okonkwo as Lecturer III and then Mrs. Josephine Ego Obi-Okogbuo as Lecturer III. 

The formal nod validating the take - off of the department was given in 2006 by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in 2006 after a successful Ordinary National Diploma full accreditation exercise. In the same 2006, the name changed from Department of Cooperative Studies to Department of Cooperative Economics & Management following the introduction of the new curriculum by National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and adoption of same in the Polytechnic. The department produced its first set of  National Diplomats  in 2004 and since then has consistently produced competent graduates.

In 2008, the Higher National Diploma Programme (HND) was mounted. It faced its resource accreditation in 2009 and full accreditation in 2010. Currently, the department offers National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Morning Progammes. It also runs two years Part-Time Evening and Weekend Programmes. 

To highlight the dynamism of these programmes, new curricula for ND and HND were introduced by NBTE in 2018. On January 16th, 2020 the Academic Board of the institution approved their implementation. 

The department also has different practical outfits for its students. They include Cooperative Consumer Shop, Cooperative farm, and others. The students have an association called the Association of Cooperative Economics & Management Students (NACEMS). They use this medium to address their problems: academic, social, cultural and organizational. The students’association has proved to be a very useful instrument in the management and administration of the department. There is also the Cooperative Entertainment Group (CEG), where students of the department have the opportunities to showcase their talents in areas like singing, dancing, acting, and other artistic endowments. Through CEG further training are received by students through interaction, practice and display.

The department of Cooperative Economics & Management has so far produced manpower that are serving in all spheres of life, such as cooperative establishment, agri-business, owner-controlled businesses, not-for-profits, banking, commerce, industry, business, social and public sectors of the economy.

The Lecturers in the department are members of the Institute of Cooperative Professionals of Nigeria (ICOPRON) and other notable professional bodies.

Since its formal inception in 2004, increases in students’ enrolment have been so encouraging and staff/student ratio is standard. The number of teaching staff has increased from four to fourteen and part-time teaching staff is five. These staff have shown proven ability and professionalism in different areas of Cooperative Economics and Management.  

         The Chronicle of Departmental Headship since Inception with Dates

1. Mr. Emezie Ogujiofor (Pioneer HOD) :: 2004-2006

2. Dr. John. U. Osubor  (Banking& Finance Dept.) :: 2006-2008

3. Mrs. Lilian Ugwuanyi :: 2008-2010

4. Mr. Dickson .O. Ozuitem :: 2010-2013

5. Mr. Michael Okonkwo :: 2013-2016

6. Dr. Okafo Okoreaffia :: 2016-2019

7. Dr.(Mrs.) Josephine Ego Obi-Okogbuo :: 2019-2020

8. Dr.(Mrs.) Josephine Ego Obi-Okogbuo (First Elected HOD) :: 2020- till date.

         DR. (MRS.) J. EGO OBI-OKOGBUO

         HEAD, DEPARTMENT OF COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS & MANAGEMENT

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