A LECTURE DELIVERED

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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,
2014Venue Nike Lake Resort, Enugu
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Theme
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
• 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 Nigerias 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 individuals life
  which runs between the end of childhood and entry
  into the world of work (Onuekwusi and Effiong,
  2002).

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INTRODUCTIONContd.

• 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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INTRODUCTIONContd.

• 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
  nations 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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INTRODUCTIONContd.

• 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 POTENTIALSContd.

• 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 SPIRITContd.

• 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 SPIRITContd.

• 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 SPIRITContd.

• 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 INSTITUTIONSContd.

• 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 INSTITUTIONSContd.

• 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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GOVERNMENTSContd.

• 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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GOVERNMENTSContd.

• 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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GOVERNMENTSContd.

• 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 tomorrows 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 AGRICULTUREContd.

• 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 AGRICULTUREContd.

• 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 AGRICULTUREContd.

• 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 AGRICULTUREContd.

• 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-

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ROLE OR EXPECTATIONS FROM YOUTHSContd.

• 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 YOUTHSContd.

• 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 RACs 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

Dr. Basil A. Onugu