Relevance Of Entrepreneurial Development To Self Employment Of OTM Graduates

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Prior to the 1990s, the view that large firms were the cornerstone of a modern economy dominated the literature (Nnanna 2003). The theory of economics of scale, which is predicated on the advantages of large scale operation.
Thus, entrepreneurial business was seen belonging to the past, out mode and a sign of technology backwardness. More recently, however, this view has shifted due to the important role played by relatively small entrepreneurial business firm in promoting industrialization and facilitating sustainable economic growth and development.
The concept of entrepreneurship evokes varying meaning or interpretation, depending on the perspective of the user. However, as duke (2006), put it “an individual who pioneers new technology or introduce a new method of doing business typifies entrepreneur” entrepreneur usually undertakes and operate a new business venture and assumes some accountability for the inherent risk.

Entrepreneur is an ingrated for both personal and societal benefit. As such the entrepreneur is a critical factor in driving socio- economic change as he seeks new technique , new product and co-ordinates the activities to manage an enterprise .

In Nigeria, the development of entrepreneurial activities has manifest in virtually all aspect of the economy including micro- finance, personal service, food, clothing, ICT, telecommunications, entertainment and hospitality and agriculture / agro- business. These entrepreneurial effort have contributed to the attainment of some of the nation economic development objectives such contribution include employment generation for the growing rural and urban labour force, production output expansion , income redistribution, utilization of local raw material and technology , increase in revenue base of government, as well as production of intermediate good that to strengthen inter and intra industrial linkage (Osuji 2005). Similiary, developed many countries such as United State of American , Japan , Germany, Italy and Britain, have been found to owe their overall Economics development entrepreneurship (Fauas 2006).

The development and growth of entrepreneurship in Nigeria, has remained a concern for the government. The important of a private sector and appreciated from its potential for facilitating food security, employment of the citizenry. These are outcome that are also aligned with the goals of the national policy on micro, small and medium Enterprises (MSMEs), National Economics Empowerment and Development strategy (SEEDs) and the Millennium Development Goals (SMDGs).

Entrepreneurial Developement in Nigeria plays a vital role in the process of economics growth and Development . Entrepreneur are bold men and women who have initiative and ability to manage and take the consequences. They are men of action, risk taker, missioner, creative and highly respected of their ability to effectively and efficiently concubine the functions of management to achieve the goals.

During the colonial era, the Nigerian business scene was dominated even at the grassroots level by inclines, Greeks, Ghananians, Sierra lonains and others. These foreign National had a better exposition from the Nigerians and with advantages, it was to dislodge them when the colonial left the scene in 1960. Then, it other to give Nigerians an opportunity in participating and shaping their country economic, future the federal government introduced indigenization and enterprise promotion dance of 1972 and its revision in 1977, the objective was to foster economic self reliance and maximize external intervention in politics.

Against, the national development plans were introduce and also in July 1986 SAP (Structural Adjustment Programme) was introduced. Entrepreneurship constitutes a vital engine in the growth and development of the nation including Nigeria because it help in the stimulation of indigenous entrepreneurship, lead to the transformation of the traditional industry creates employment opportunities and generate income (Local and Externally) contributes to regional activity and co-operation etc.

Based on the preliminary information give on the relevance of entrepreneurial development, it can be deduced that Office Technology and Management graduates in Kwara State have tapped from the seemly endless advantages offered by entrepreneurial development to turn from job seekers to job creators as been emphasized at all levels of government in Nigeria and Kwara government in particular.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

This research work is embarked upon on the basis of non-utilization of the numerous opportunity offered by entrepreneurship development by office Technology and Management graduates in Kwara State and to see areas of relevance of entrepreneurial development to OTM graduates towards self employment et cetera

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The major objective of this study was to examine OTM graduate for Nigeria Polytechnics and specifically:

Determine the subjects taught in Nigeria Polytechnics.

Find out the general objectives of the OTM graduates.

Ascertain the reason why OTM graduates go into entrepreneurial.

Ascertain the skills and competencies needed by the OTM graduates for successful entrepreneurial programme.

Determine the job opportunities available for the OTM graduates.

1.4 Research Questions

This project attempt to find answer to the following research questions:

What is the subject taught in Nigerian Polytechnic?

How adequate are the general objectives on the OTM graduates?

What are the reasons why OTM graduates go entrepreneurial?

What is the entrepreneurial possibility in OTM graduates?

What are the skills and competences needed by the O OTM graduates?

1.5 Significance of the Study

It is the researcher anticipation that after the completion of the study, the recommendations and findings will enables readers mind to the embroidered on the relevance of entrepreneurial development to self employment.

1.6 Delimitation

This study is designed to distil development on the relevance entrepreneurial development to self employment of Office Technology and Management graduate in Kwara State. This work therefore, would not go beyond this scope.

1.7 Limitation

The researcher is a student and needs to attend to other subjects and several assignment for the successful completion of the course. Therefore, the time needed to spend on the project was limited. Thus, the time required to complete this study was rather too short and not adequate for through the research finance is another problem, the uncooperative attitude of respondent to the questionnaire could be another constraint.

All effort has been made to ensure that all these do not impact negatively on a thorough research.

1.8 Definition of Terms

In the course of the study, the following terms were defined as operationally.

Entrepreneurship:

This is the process of starting a business and offering a productive idea or service and bearing the social risk.

Economic Growth:

There are increase in the amount of goods and services produced per head of population over a period of time.

Firm:

This is a process of a transaction whose objectives are different from those of it owners.

Industrial Linkage:

This is where the product of one company, is needed from production to take place in another company.

Infrastructure:

The basic physical structure and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprises.

Technology:

This is a body of knowledge devoted to creating tools, processing action and extracting of materials.

Enterprises:

This is a business been set up by person who take the opportunity and does something about it.

Unemployment:

This can be refers to a person who is actively searching for employment is unable to find work.