Summary
Bendi is a community of about 8,000 people in Obanliku Local Government, Southeastern Nigeria. The soil is clayey; the terrain is rugged and mountainous with signs of poverty obvious to a visitor. Agriculture is purely subsistent. Even with these vulnerabilities, social ties and extended family system are strong. Meat consumption in average households is rare. Plant proteins and carbohydrates dominate daily diets. Wildlife was the main source of meat but with intense deforestation and infrequent supplies, frozen fish has taken over. The fish is low in quality yet very expensive. Maximizing daily meat consumption is the people’s desire, but rarely a priority, when meeting basic carbohydrate requirement is still a problem. However, the use of meat for entertainment during the New Yam, Christmas and, Easter festivals is a must in order to preserve the integrity and respect for the family head. Cooperatives are common phenomena in Bendi. They are formed to carryout arduous farm work, buy peer uniforms and rotationally contribute money. Under the Ubam cooperative system, groups are formed usually by persons of common interest and similar social, economic and occupational class like market women, civil servants, farmers, church members amongst others. People join Ubam in order to save money and buy meat for entertainment during key annual festivals. Other reasons include; source of microcredit to build or repair a house, pay education and medical bills, buy seeds, or start a business. Loans are granted on first come first served basis except during emergencies like burials, medical and school bills amongst others. The interest rate is 10% per annum. No collaterals are required yet repayment rates are high. Loan guarantors are members of the cooperative and family members and friends of the borrower. Meetings hold on Sundays which are work free. Mandatory contributions made on shareholding basis, include savings and meeting dues. Failure to contribute attracts a fine of 0.66-0.33 US cents. Each share unit cost 6.66-33.33 US cents, depending on agreed terms. The amount saved each Sunday depends on what the individual can afford. Total shares range from 10-200 units. Ubam leadership includes the Chairman, Savings Secretary, Meeting Dues Secretary, Major Treasurer, Minor Treasurer and Provost Marshal. The total dues at the end of the year, ranging from 133.33-3,333.33 USD per group are used to buy fattened animals. The number of animals purchased depends on the total dues and interest realized. On the eve of the festival, the animals are slaughtered and the meat shared. Each person, according to the shareholding, gets as much quantity of meat. The experience of the Ubam cooperative system is unique because loans are easily granted, interest rates are affordable and loan repayment rates are high compared to government and private financiers whose books are full of bad debts. Members empathize with each other in emergencies. The system provides cheaper meat to members and so saves them the embarrassment of not affording meat for the festivities. The system is relevant to society’s vulnerable groups once unity of interest is assured.
