Skill Acquisition as a Tool for Poverty Reduction in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT 

Successive Administration in Nigeria have been faced with the phenomenon of poverty and unemployment in Nigeria and various attempts have been made to tackle this problem. Bayelsa State is worst hit with this monster of unemployment and poverty in the state. This research is an attempt to evaluate the various measures put in place to eradicate poverty and the issue of unemployment in Bayelsa State. This research has X-rayed how skill acquisition was used as a tool for poverty reduction in Bayelsa State and how skill acquisition has enhanced sustainable development and creation of employment for the teeming population. This research work examined previous skill acquisition programmes put in place in Nigeria and in Bayelsa in particular and the measures put in place toward its implementation. Data sources came primary and secondary sources, individuals especially by interview method. The Research discovered that the major problem with skill acquisition is the policy implementation and not formulation. The Research recommends that government should establish enough skill acquisition centres in the state and in all the local government areas. There is also the urgent need to introduce vocational schools that will teach useful skills. The Research also recommend that both non government agencies and wealthy individuals should help to create jobs for the youth because of the poverty level. This is because some beautiful ideas and suggestions from our Universities and Research Institutions are not Implemented or executed in respect to poverty and unemployment reduction. The government should have the political will to carry along the Universities that have severally given good suggestions on how to tackle poverty and unemployment in Nigeria.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page - - - - - - - - i

Certification - - - - - - - ii

Approval - - - - - - - - iii

Dedication - - - - - - - iv

Acknowledgement - - - - - v

Abstract - - - - - - - - vi

Table of content - - - - - - vii

Chapter One: Introduction - - - - 1

1.1 Background of the Study - - - - 9

1.2 Statement of the Problem - - - - 9

1.3 Research Questions - - - - - 10

1.4 Objective of the Study - - - - 11

1.5 Significance of the Study - - - - 11

1.6 Scope and Limitations of the Study - - 12

Chapter Two: Literature Review and Study Area 14

2.1 Literature Review - - - - - 14

2.1.1 Conceptualizing Skill Acquisition - - 14

2.1.2 Historical Overview of Past Poverty Eradication

Programme in Nigeria - - - - 20

2.1.3 Skill Acquisition Schemes in Bayelsa State- - 28

National Directorate of Employment (NDE)- - 29

Industrial Development Centres (NDE) - 30

Bayelsa State Economic Empowerment and

Development (BY-SEED) - - - - 31

Chapter Three: Methodology - - - - 33

3.1.1 Research Design - - - - - 33

3.1.2 Sources of Data - - - - - 34

3.1.3 Population of Study - - - - - 34

3.1.4 Sample and Sampling Procedure - - 35

3.1.5 Validity and Reliability of Instrument - 35

3.1.6 Method of Data Presentation and Analysis- - 36

3.1.7 Theoretical Frame Work - - - - 36

Chapter Four: Data Presentation and Analysis of Findings 39

4.1 Data Presentation and Findings - - 39

4.2 Analysis of Findings - - - - - 39

4.3 Summary of Findings - - - - 45

Chapter Five: Summary, Recommendation and

Conclusion - - - - 47

5.1 Summary - - - - - - - 47

5.2 Recommendations - - - - - 50

5.3 Conclusion - - - - - - - 51

Bibliography - - - - - - 52

Appendixes - - - - - - 54