ANALYSIS OF THE STRATEGIES FOR EMPLOYMENT GENERATION.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
The term unemployment came to be known as far back as men realize that he cannot always produce all that he needs and therefore, most have to depend on others to satisfy his desires. However, as human civilization progressed from one stage to another, the needs of individual also increased from one level to another. Human history shows that human society has been witnessing transition from one socio-economic system to another such as feudalism, capitalism, socialism and communalism. With the process of transition is in varying degree from one society to another, it is never absent in any society. Any socio economic system being practiced any society has its own implications on employment. This is why most early writers on the concept of employment came from capitalist countries and their workers are dated back to industrial revolution period in the 17th century. Another prominent author that has done extensive work concerning employment is Keynes (1936). he was motivated to write as a result of world economic crisis of 1930’s i.e. economic depression which affected the capitalist countries greatly and resulted in alarming rate of unemployment. His general theory of employment interest and money later came to be known as ‘’Keynesian Theory’’ which is still widely in use of till date.
In Kogi State, the history of employment as a public problem is dated back to the creation of the state but reach its peak after creation of the state as a result of hopes brought by creation of the state. Contemporary writers in Kogi State pay little attention to issue of unemployment sine the discovery of cement in commercial quantity, the focus of Kogi State writers mischief as a result of cement discovery which has resulted to their write-up being focused to issues concerning cement such as derivation formula, cement spillage etc most employment generation policies adopted by Kogi State government are mare camouflage than plan with intent purpose to solve the problem on ground. This is the reason for the failure of these policies and this is responsible for continuous increase in the unemployment rate in most Kogi cities like Dekina, Ankpa, Idah, Ofu etc. where the spill over effects in unemployment such as social vices (i.e. robbery attack, 419 activities, Yahoo boys and prostitution etc) and crimes are on the increases.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS
The lackadaisical attitude exhibited by the government towards the problem of unemployment has worsened the crime situation in Kogi State. As the effort of government is not encouraging in addition, the multiplier effects of unemployment can never be fully mentioned and explained in this research work as the list seems to be exhaustive. This is because problems are not being properly handled by government in Kogi State over the years. This research work hopes to bring out ways in which solution to this scourge of unemployment can help tremendously in solving the problems.
1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Based on the major operational element of the study, the following questions will form the basis of the investigation.
What are the factors or causes of the rising level of unemployment in Kogi State?
What is the effect of unemployment in Kogi State
What strategies are currently being used by the state government to increased the level of employment and how effective are they?
What suitable strategies can the state government adopt to increase employment generation in Kogi State?
1.4 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
In any research work, the setting out of clearly defined occupies a very crucial position; this work is not an exception. It is to
Indentify causes of unemployment in Kogi State
Find out the impact of unemployment in Kogi State
Analyze strategies for employment generation in Kogi State
Proffer viable solution to problems of unemployment in Kogi State.
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Identifying the strategies for job creation in Kogi State is very vital to the economic development of the state as a whole. This research work will be of tremendous advantage to the teeming unemployed youth that are directly suffering from lack of unemployment opportunities in Kogi State, this is because the findings of this will direct and focus their attention to possible area of employment opportunities. This research work is very significant because it would still be useful to other students in higher institution of teeming an those in business school in particular in the sense that it will serve as a point of reference to any students that may wish to write on related project topic in future. However, the findings of this research work will be of significance to those involved in employment generation. This is because the research work shall be bring to limelight both the problem of employment generation and their solutions. Finally, the findings of this research work will also be important to the general public in the sense that it will help in reducing the problem of unemployment in general.
1.6 SCOPE AND DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY
This research work covers strategies for employment generation in Kogi State. It is restricted to activities of state Ministry of Education, Lokoja and takes a look at the constraints encountered by the ministry in discharging this responsibility, how it has limited their performance and possible way out. The study will also cover at the causes, effects and solutions to the problems of unemployment in Kogi State between 2010 to date.
1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
This project work is limited to Kogi State Ministry of Education as the case study and it is hoped that findings of this project will be expanded to other institutions that are involved in employment generation in Kogi State. It is in line with this fact that a bid to achieving any task, one is bound to encounter some problems in stage on stage or the other, some of the constraints in this write up were never envisaged for and it was shocking and surprising to have ever experience such; Some of the problems faced in the attempt to complete this study include finance, in this period of economic meltdown. The impact of financial constraints on a study of this magnitude can not be over emphasized. This is particularly so when one realize that the cost of transportation, writing materials.
Time constraints. That the researcher has to combine this study with her normal academic work, the gravity of time constraints on this work would be appreciated. Another constraints is lack of up-to-date information, the researcher was not able to lay hands on materials that contained the current development on employment generation and questionnaire were not properly filled by the respondents despite the instruction given to them. Despite the above mentioned constraints, the findings of the true picture of issues surrounding employment generation in Kogi State as a whole.
1.8 DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS
Some of the operational terms definitions are given below:
Labour: Labour as a factor of production refers to all forms of human efforts put into utilized in production. It also refers to man’s mental and physical exertion in the process of production.
Industrialization: Is the process of establishing or increasing productive activities, such as those engaged in extracting raw materials from nature, manufacturing or processing raw materials in finished or semi-finished goals, constructing or building capital projects and assembling some parts into whole products.
Productivity: Productivity is the result of the commitment and enhancement which the employee put towards production process which yield greater output for efficiency, effectiveness (Salami C.G. 2012).
ORGANIZATIONS OF STUDY
This research work is arranged into five chapters. Chapters one comprises of introduction, background of the study, statement of the problems as it relates to the research topic, objectives of the study which talks about the main aims the researcher intends to achieve in writing the project, significance of the study, definitions of terms and organizations of the study. Chapter two of the research work focus mainly on literature review. The third chapter shall concentrate mainly on research methodology and design. Chapter four focus on data presentation and analysis. Chapter five is the last chapter which serves as the concluding part of the project with viable recommendations for further research.
