Transcript Document 7112452

A LECTURE DELIVERED
By
Dr. Basil Onugu
At The
EHE ENUGU STATE SME WEEK
(A Public-Private Partnership for Sustainable
Development)
Date: November 10 - 14, 2014
Venue: Nike Lake Resort, Enugu
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PROTOCOLS
ENGAGING AND REDIRECTING THE
ENERGIES AND TALENTS OF YOUTHS
THROUGH BUSINESS VENTURES
INCLUDING COMMERCIAL
AGRICULTURE
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APPROACH
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
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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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INTRODUCTION
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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INTRODUCTION…Contd.
Given the above characteristics of youths, the burden of nationbuilding 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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INTRODUCTION…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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INTRODUCTION…Contd.
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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YOUTHS POTENTIALS
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 POTENTIALS…Contd.
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 INNOVATIVENESS
AND DARING SPIRIT
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 INNOVATIVENESS
AND DARING SPIRIT…Contd.
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 INNOVATIVENESS
AND DARING SPIRIT…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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YOUTHS INNOVATIVENESS
AND DARING SPIRIT…Contd.
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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HOW CAN THE ENERGIES AND TALENTS
OF YOUTHS BE ENGAGED AND
REDIRECTED?
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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RESEARCH & EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTES.
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
INSTITUTIONS…Contd.
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
INSTITUTIONS…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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GOVERNMENTS.
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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GOVERNMENTS…Contd.
 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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GOVERNMENTS…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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GOVERNMENTS…Contd.
 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 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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NGOs, CHURCHES, FAITH BASED
ORGANIZATIONS.
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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CENTRAL BANK AND OTHER
BANKS.
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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COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE
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 AGRICULTURE…Contd.
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 AGRICULTURE…Contd.
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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COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE…Contd.
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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COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE…Contd.
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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ROLE OR EXPECTATIONS FROM
YOUTHS.
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:30
ROLE OR EXPECTATIONS FROM
YOUTHS…Contd.
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 EXPECTATION FROM
YOUTHS…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.

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FORMULA FOR SUCCESS
The above can be summarized or collapsed into the
RAC’s Formula for success thus:
ASK + Goals = PBC
IR (P & O)
where:A is the attitude;
S is skills set needed;
K is the basic knowledge needed;
G is the goal that meets the SMART criteria;
O is Organizational and
P is personal.
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Thanks for Listening
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