INTRODUCTION
Elite Co-Operative Society
Introduction.
The organized care and committment to the well-being of the weak, the disadvantaged and disabled in societies, have been human activities since centuries. This has taken the form of organised charity and philantropic activities of groups of people and individuals coming together to devise ways and means to ameliorate the social and economic suffferings of the weak in societies. Thus, charity organisations like the – ELITE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY in Vienna, Austria, realised the needs of various groups of the weak in societies and came together as individuals/groups to build charity associations committed to relieving poverty, sickness and contribute to the well-being of the aged, among others in societies. This humanitarian committment is a necessity in situations where states can no longer adequately cater for the numerous classes of the disadvantaged in societies. To this extent, the ´Elite Co-Operative Society´ in Vienna is positively disposed to the basic philosophy of charity organisations: provision of help and relief for the weak and needy members of society and not for profit making.
Establishing the ´Elite Co-operative Society.
The charity organisation was founded in 1998 by 12 members of the Yoruba association- EGBE OMO ODUDUWA- in Vienna Austria with the basic mission of charity work in the Yoruba region of Nigeria. The Yoruba people are in the western region of Nigeria with a population of well over 45 million people. The name of the people is coined from their indigenous language – YORUBA. At its establishment, the Elite Co-operative Society defined the Yoruba region as its focus of operation and defined its mission as the following:
- To promote and foster economic development in Yorubaland,
- To cherish, uphold, protect, honour and assist Yoruba organisations in Vienna,
- To encourage and delibrate on issues that promote unity among Yoruba,
- Committment to finding ways and means of improving our families and of contributing to the welfare and development of Yorubaland,
5 To ensure, encourage and promote the advancement of Yoruba culture, traditions, customs and institutions,
- Identify projects for development in various parts of Western Nigeria (Yorubaland).
This mission is clearly stated in its constitution as seen below( add your consititution below here). In furtherance of this mission, the Elite Co-operative Society is highly motivated by its belief in the „commonality and heritage of the Yoruba people to serve as a source of strength and a means of achieving its goals“. As contained in its mission the society is a people-centred organisation
How far?
What has been the strategic approach to achieve the mission of the society? How far has the society gone in achieving its aims and objectives? What has been its landmark achievements in over 10 years of its existence? What are the plans for the future?
The principle of the society in respect of achievement appears to be that of ´seeing and believing´. The society works more than it could be imagined within its capacity. Over the years, it has recorded very many tremendous achievements at rural and urban locations with very positive impact on the lifes of the beneficiaries of all ages and gender. So far, the society has executed many human-development oriented programs, as the examples below show:
- building of classrooms in primary and secondary schools;
- provision of boreholes for drinkable water supply;
- building of toilets and recreatioinal facilities in schools;
-provision of bedding materials in hospitals, particularly children hospitals;
- supply of hospital beds in large quantity;
- provision of generators as well as electric poles to aid the supply of electricity to institutions, villages and selected social organisations like women and youth associations;- to financial support for associations and institutions involved in human development and empowerment activities.
In short the Elite Co-operative Society has been alive to its mission and it has been worthy and commendable years of success.
Method of Operaton.
The Elite Co-operatinve Society operates on a modest, objective and realistic-oriented approach to achieve the maximum possible for its clients. Essentially, it carries out a feasibility field study to identify projects for execution. It works in collaboration with the clients, who are mostly the owners and real beneficiaries of the projects. Project planning and execution depend on involving the beneficiaries. Since the projects belong to the people, they are incoporated into all the strategic stages and discussions of the projects planning and execution. This approach has great advantages that contribute to the successes realised so far. The approach is highly welcomed by the people as it enables transparency and motivation to be involved in their own development affairs. This participatory approach is fundamental to the success and progress of the Elite Cooperative Society. It is a down to top approach and it is the approach in the future too- a people -centred and people- determined development approach.
Media Report:
Notice of the progress and contributions of the society to addressing social problems has not escaped the attention of the print and electoronic media in Nigeria. In a number of occassions the media have reported the various executed charity progrtams of the society in Nigeria. Importantly, the indigenous Yoruba language daily newspapers ´Alaroye´ and ´Iwe Irohin´ have been in the vanguard of bringing the activities of the society to public knowledge. Same applies to national newspapers of wider circulation, like ´The Nation´ and some state radio stations. Often at occassions of launching completed projects, leaders of communities and local associations as well as goverment officials have always been present to recognize and appreciate the contributions of the society. Quite often, letters of appreciation and identification with the society have been presented. Traditional leaders have enormously demonstrated their support for the activities of the society. Information about executed projects containig- photos, names and types of projects as well as locations and recipients are reproduced here below.( please add the information here)
The Future:
The progress, recognition and appreciation of the past years have been sources of energy, encouragement and confirmation
to the society that it is on the right course by identifying with the cause of the poor and the needy. Naturally, charity work as that of the Elite Cooperative Society is a life-long undertaking. It is evident that the issue of fighting poverty takes a more prominent centre position at local, national and international fora. It is more or less a permanent fight as long as social problems in its entirety persist. This stands as the fundamental platform that propels the energy and committment of the society to continue its humanitarian activities into the future. Day by day, the society grows in energy, committment and rededication to its elementary agenda for humanity. It continues to carry out the search for projects of immediate concern to the needy and explore the appropriate approaches to solving problems. The society is magnanimous in its approach. Where necessary and practicable, it cooperates with like-mind associations and assits in efforts at self-reliance which is the very crucial factor in modern approach to people-centred development.
Finally, the society is aware of changes locally and globally, and it is already taking the necessary measures to be fit and relevant to the demands of the future. As already mentioned, the area of operation of the society is a challenging one that will remain for ever. The society is capable of adequately adjusting to the demands of the future in its area of agenda and operation- eradication of poverty and relief for the needy. It is within this context that equally concerned people and associations are invited to cooperate with and support the Elite Co-operative Society in its struggle to make life more meaningful qualitatively for humanity.