A LECTURE DELIVERED By Dr. Basil Onugu At The EHE ENUGU STATE SME WEEK (A Public-Private Partnership...

A LECTURE DELIVEREDA LECTURE DELIVERED

By By

Dr. Basil OnuguDr. Basil Onugu

At TheAt The

EHE ENUGU STATE SME WEEKEHE ENUGU STATE SME WEEK(A Public-Private Partnership for Sustainable (A Public-Private Partnership for Sustainable

Development)Development)

Date: Date: November 10 - 14, 2014November 10 - 14, 2014Venue: Nike Lake Resort, EnuguVenue: Nike Lake Resort, Enugu

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ENGAGING AND REDIRECTING THE ENGAGING AND REDIRECTING THE ENERGIES AND TALENTS OF YOUTHS ENERGIES AND TALENTS OF YOUTHS

THROUGH BUSINESS VENTURES THROUGH BUSINESS VENTURES INCLUDING COMMERCIAL INCLUDING COMMERCIAL

AGRICULTUREAGRICULTURE

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Theme:Theme:

PROTOCOLSPROTOCOLS

My approach in discussing this topic will be as follows: Introduction – Why do we need to engage the

youths Youth Potential How can we engage and redirect the energies and

talents of youths Research and Educational Institutions. Government Private Sector Firms and Individuals. NGOs, Churches, FBOs CBN and Other Banks

Commercial Agriculture Role or Expectations from the youths Formula for Success

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APPROACHAPPROACH

According to Nigeria’s National Youth Development Policy (2001), the youth comprises all young persons of between the ages of 18 and 35years, who are citizens of Nigeria.

This category which constitutes about Sixty percent of the population represents the most active, most energetic, the most volatile and yet the most vulnerable segment of the population.

The youth has also been viewed as a concept, defined as the period in an individual’s life which runs between the end of childhood and entry into the world of work (Onuekwusi and Effiong, 2002).

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INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

Given the above characteristics of youths, the burden of nation-building squarely rests on them just as many are wont to address the youths as “Future leaders”. The youths also constitute the major resource base for any country or state that wants to embark on any meaningful development projects.

Hence in order to ensure the future growth and development of a country her youths must be developed intellectually, morally, socially, spiritually and equipped with relevant complement of skills set so as not only to be productively engaged but also for them to be able to face a rapidly advancing and changing information, communications and technological world.

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INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION……Contd.Contd.

The progress, growth and development of any developing economy like Nigeria are highly correlated with the growth and development of the youth population. The kind and type of education (both formal and informal) the youths are exposed to or have access to will largely determine the nation’s overall development.

The unfortunate thing is that many of the youths do not know how they can contribute their best to the development of their areas. Those who have ideas may not know how to go about or may not have the opportunity to actualize their ideas. The youths therefore need to be guided.

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The situation is aggravated by the fact that many of our Universities have hitherto not imbibed or integrated entrepreneurial studies in their curriculum. The few that have enthroned entrepreneurial studies are delivering them at the rather rudimental and theoretical levels. It is thus appropriate and timely to discuss how best to engage and redirect the energies and talents of youths through business ventures including Commercial Agricultures. The youths very much need to be engaged and redirected for no faults of theirs.

Given the age range we defined the youths above it thus follows that what we are discussing will embrace Senior Secondary graduates who could not access tertiary education as well as University graduates and or drop outs.

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Given the appropriate triggers (like awards, recognition or other incentives) and a conducive environment youths can be creative, innovative and unrelenting in pursuit of their goals including business ventures. They (youths) unleash their God given potentials productively under appropriate guidance and motivation.

The youthful energies and talents if not engaged and positively redirected would also be negatively used and manifest in forms of violence, criminality, and other forms of anti-social behavior and conduct.

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YOUTHS YOUTHS POTENTIALSPOTENTIALS

In Nigeria of today, the high unemployment rate, lack of consistent and well articulated policy framework for youth development, general economic hardship and harsh operating environment among others have thrown the youths into joblessness, agents of social vices and idleness.

As their conditions worsen, they have been used as agents of political thuggery and misadventure. These underscore the imperativeness of engaging and redirecting the energies and talents of the youths.

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YOUTHS POTENTIALSYOUTHS POTENTIALS……Contd.Contd.

Many great leaders and inventors the world has known, achieved fame and fortune at a youthful age. Examples of those who make the difference in their lives and the lives of others at youthful ages abound. Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft saw a need and set out to meet it. The late Steve Jobs revolutionalized computer technology through Apple brands, giving the world ipads, iphones and so on. Mark Zuckerberg and Dustin Moskovitz saw a need and set out to address it. Hence we now have Facebook.

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YOUTHS YOUTHS INNOVATIVENESS AND INNOVATIVENESS AND DARING SPIRITDARING SPIRIT

Back home in Nigeria, Gen (Dr.) Yakubu Gowon (Rtd) GCON assumed the Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at a youthful age of 32yers and was able to successfully prosecute the Nigerian civil war.

On the academic front so many Nigerian youths have demonstrated their prowess, excellence and break throughs in various parts of the world. Industrially or entrepreneurial wise we also have a few Nigerian youths that have proved their mettle though they may remain unsung.

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YOUTHS YOUTHS INNOVATIVENESS AND INNOVATIVENESS AND DARING SPIRITDARING SPIRIT…Contd.…Contd.

One needs to go to Aba in Abia State where budding entrepreneurs and business acumen thrive. Virtually every type and kind of goods comparable to similar imported products are made in Aba. At times the Aba made products carry foreign labels such that the undiscerning consumer may not distinguish.

Similarly, Nnewi in Anambra State is gradually transforming into an industrial city with many industrial and agricultural goods being produced there. The Innoson Motors stands out among the many thriving firms in the South Eastern Nigeria which were promoted by youth.

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One common denominator that cuts across all the above examples of successful entrepreneurs is that they identified a need and assiduously worked hard to satisfy those needs. This is very instructive as it represents the bedrock of success in any business venture.

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One imperative in engaging the youths is to ensure that their minds and bodies are kept busy and occupied since nature abhors vacuum. Hence, if they are not kept busy they (youths) would resort to undesirable acts and behaviours.

It requires a Joint and Concerted Efforts of Research & Educational Institutions (Secondary Schools And Universities), the Governments ( Local, State and Federal) and its Ministries, Agencies and Departments, Churches, NGOs Faith Based Organizations, Development Partners, International Agencies and Organizations, Banks, and Private Sector Firms and High Net Worth Individuals.

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HOW CAN THE ENERGIES AND HOW CAN THE ENERGIES AND TALENTS OF YOUTHS BE ENGAGED TALENTS OF YOUTHS BE ENGAGED AND REDIRECTED?AND REDIRECTED?

Educational Institutions should endeavor to incorporate if they have not done so already entrepreneurial studies and try to link and connect with firms in relevant areas where they can send their students for internship and practical work experience. Secondary Schools should equip their laboratories and workshops so as to equip students who may not proceed to Universities to develop skills in their areas of interest.

Expertise in wood works, carpentry, bricklaying, block moulding, cabinet making, fashion designing, photography, shoe making, film making and the likes can be cultivated and developed at this level of youth development such that the affected youths can set up their own business upon graduating from secondary school.

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RESEARCH & EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH & EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTESINSTITUTES..

Similarly, the Universities and Research Institutes should totally key into the current entrepreneurial drive to make their offerings not only functional but also targeted at meeting the current challenges facing humanity taking cognizant of the advancement in information and communications technology.

Research projects by undergraduates and post graduate students should be tailored towards solving current challenges facing the society. If the research yields successful result, such can lead to developing a new product or service that can be commercialized.

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RESEARCH & EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH & EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONSINSTITUTIONS…Contd.…Contd.

This can be in the area of Science, Technology or Agriculture. This is how many inventions were made including genetically modified foods, plants and improved seedlings. With the above approach many youths would already be prepared, well equipped and skilled upon graduation such that they would set up their own business instead of looking for paid employment.

The essence is to prepare students to be employers of labour upon graduation as opposed to job seekers that currently obtains.

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RESEARCH & EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH & EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONSINSTITUTIONS…Contd.…Contd.

Governments at Local, State and Federal together with its Ministries, Agencies and Departments should be the key drivers in engaging and redirecting the energies and talents of youths. After creating enabling environment by way of security, provision of utilities and basic infrastructure for business ventures to thrive, the governments can engage the youths in several ways including the following areas:-

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GOVERNMENTSGOVERNMENTS..

Provision of skills development centers Direct Labour for maintaining some

utilities and infrastructure like road maintenance.

Protection of some public utilities from vandalization.

Maintenance of Law and Order in public places.

Collection of internally generated funds instead of contracting this out to consultants.

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GOVERNMENTSGOVERNMENTS…Contd.…Contd.

Provision of Scholarship to deserving but indigent youths to enable them actualize themselves.

Establishment of various sporting facilities and equipping and managing them well for youth development. Sports have of late become an economic enabler such that many youths can indeed excel and actualize themselves even internationally through sports.

Maintenance of Law and Order in public places to augment the Police.

SURE P. The Federal Government is already engaging the youths through this programme.

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YOU WIN. The Federal Government is also engaging the youths through the YOU WIN Programme.

Technical Aid Programme. The Federal Government is also engaging the youths through The Technical Aid Corp programme.

In the field of politics, the government should also open up the political land scape for youths participation just as it has reserved a percentage of appointive and elective positions for women. Similar affirmative action should be extended to the youths more so as they are usually acknowledged as tomorrow’s leaders and truly they are, all things being equal.

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PRIVATE FIRMS AND INDIVIDUALSPRIVATE FIRMS AND INDIVIDUALS

Private sector companies can also set up skills development centers for youths as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility Schemes. In the same fashion high net worth individuals can also do the same. The companies can also provide Scholarships to deserving youths and engage those who can add value to their value chain relationship management by giving them (youths) opportunity in their distribution or supplies procurements schemes.

Private sector firms and individuals can also engage the youths through sponsorship of sporting activities and competitions at local and international levels. Many private firms and individuals engage the youths through APPRENTICESHIP AND MENTORING programmes.

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Many Non Governmental Organization, Churches and Faith based Organizations have very rich skill development scheme for youths. These should be encouraged by the Government through grants to the deserving ones more so as some of them go beyond physical development and engagement of the youths to inculcating moral values, ethics and spirituality in them.

Some of these organizations do engage the youths especially drop outs from secondary schools by setting up extra mural classes where they attend to remedy their deficiencies and qualify to be admitted into a University.

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NGOs, CHURCHES, FAITH BASED NGOs, CHURCHES, FAITH BASED ORGANIZATIONS.ORGANIZATIONS.

The Central Bank of Nigeria and some banks have also put in place some skill development programmes for youths. First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Enterprise Bank Ltd, BOI, ETI, IFC etc are a few examples which the youths should explore and avail themselves of such opportunities. Many banks are also engaging the youths through well organized, structured and competitive sporting activities like foot ball, basket ball, lawn tennis etc, etc.

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CENTRAL BANK AND OTHER CENTRAL BANK AND OTHER BANKS.BANKS.

It is said that a hungry man is an angry man. Hence, once the youths of any country are hungry it will manifest in violence and anti-social behavior of the youths. Also one sure cure for poverty in any country is for the country to be able to feed herself. Nigeria is so variously blessed with massive arable and fertile land such that assorted cash crops, fruits, tubers and grains can be grown all year round in various parts of the country. We also have water for irrigation facilities in areas that do not have enough rainfall.

What needs to be done is for a reorientation of the mindset of and excellent incentives for the youths to embrace agriculture on a commercial basis. Aside from reducing poverty effective commercial agricultural programme will reduce if not eliminate criminality and anti-social behaviours by the youths.

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COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURECOMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE

The governments and the private sector companies should be actively involved in aggressive mechanization of agriculture, procurement and distribution of needed agricultural inputs, farming implements and equipments as well as improved seedlings to the youths. The recreation of farm settlements in suitable places and establishment of integrated farms for breeding goats, pigs, horticulture, poultry, fish processing and marketing, banana and plantain plantations, butchery, cutting grass, cows, cattle rearing etc, etc would be ideal and recommended.

The youths would be trained in these areas and the facilities needed for maintaining the health of these farms and the animals adequately provided.

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COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURECOMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE……ContdContd..

The Governments have a lot of role to play to ensure the success of commercial agriculture and engagement of youths in the scheme.

The governments should identify and map out adequate acreages of land for the plantation of various crops in the areas that have comparative advantages for the particular crop in terms of land texture and structure, availability of water etc. Farm settlements, farmers’ clubs, farmers’ cooperatives and Associations need to formed and well structured and administered.

The governments and private sector companies should also provide preservation and processing facilities for harvested crops/grains in order to avoid wastages.

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The government would then avail farm inputs, fertilizer and implements like tractors, harvesters, silos, preservation facilities, processing facilities and other needed items of equipment through these organs and associations.

Funding sources for the commercial agriculture would include CBN scheme, Bank of Agriculture, Commercial Banks, Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme, BOI, NEXIM, and grants from Governments, Development Partners and International Agencies. Potential areas for commercial agriculture include fishery, piggery, egg production, poultry, meat processing, egg hatching, feed mill plants, vegetables, cash crops, rice farms & mills, cassava, yam, maize, coco-yam plantations etc.

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The youths should tap into the federal government Ministry of Agriculture Growth Enhancement programme which has revolutionalised cassava and rice production through its e-wallet scheme in the distribution of fertilizer and other inputs direct to farmers.

The country can now boast of cassava in quality and quantity which had led to the introduction of 20% cassava bread and the establishment of bakeries across the country as stated by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Akinwunmi Adesina, in his latest report on the performance of his Ministry.

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It is said that you can take a horse to the stream but you cannot make it to drink. Similarly, you can engage, redirect and energize the youths to the highest degree but nothing will happen unless and until the youths accept and demonstrate ownership and willingness to not only embrace the opportunity offered but also to ACT i.e. to take action.

Research has shown that success is accounted for by 20% Strategy and 80% Action. Aside from taking action the other imperatives for success on the parts of the youths in entrepreneurship development include:-

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ROLE OR EXPECTATIONS FROM ROLE OR EXPECTATIONS FROM YOUTHSYOUTHS..

Positive Attitude is on top of the imperatives. Open mind to learn new skills and apply them

accordingly and appropriately. Focus on the goals of the venture. Excellent interpersonal relationship skills. Imbibing Goal Setting as a way of life or

culture. Acquisition of basic skills and knowledge

needed in the particular line of business enterprise or venture.

Discipline in all ramifications. Separate business and family finances. Ensure service excellence always.

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ROLE OR EXPECTATIONS FROM ROLE OR EXPECTATIONS FROM YOUTHSYOUTHS…Contd…Contd..

Prioritize customer satisfaction i.e. put customer first.

Maintain lean enterprise i.e. not being frugal. Set up basic accounting books. Follow through with the business plan. Inform customers and prospects fully about

your products and or services. Ensure appropriate and competitive pricing

for your goods and or services. Ensure good quality for your products and

services. Manage your time productively as it is said

that time is money.32

ROLE OR EXPECTATION FROM ROLE OR EXPECTATION FROM YOUTHSYOUTHS…Contd…Contd..

The above can be summarized or collapsed into the RAC’s Formula for success thus:

ASK + Goals = PBC IR (P & O) ASK + Goals = PBC IR (P & O) where:-

AA is the attitude;

SS is skills set needed;

KK is the basic knowledge needed;

GG is the goal that meets the SMARTSMART criteria;

OO is Organizational and

PP is personal.

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FORMULA FOR SUCCESSFORMULA FOR SUCCESS

Thanks for Listening

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A LECTURE DELIVERED By Dr. Basil Onugu At The EHE ENUGU STATE SME WEEK (A Public-Private Partnership...

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