Abstract

The contribution of entrepreneurship training and education to poverty reduction through youth empowerment will be much more significant if entrepreneurship skill acquisition is encouraged at all levels. The study assessed the use of indigenous fibres to produce household articles; identifying youth entrepreneurship in South western Nigeria. The population comprised Nine Hundred (900) entrepreneurs (undergraduates) and two hundred and ten (210) Homemakers (Female academic and non-academic staff) randomly selected from three (3) significant states in the south west (Lagos, Oyo, and Ogun). Structured questionnaire consisting of four likert scale was used to elicit information on acceptability and entrepreneurial values of the articles produced. Findings revealed the acceptability of the household articles produced using indigenous fibre (3.52) for aesthetic and functional purposes. The acquisition of skills exclusive to clothing and textiles in production of household articles using indigenous fibres were; creativity (3.82), innovative inclination (3.88) and skill demonstration (e.g. weaving) 3.62. Also export drive (3.88), source of income (3.82) and cultivation of indigenous fibres (3.11) are the entrepreneurial values of the study. T-Test result (t=30.5 df=1001) revealed a significant relationship between household articles production and raffia embellishment at P<0.05. Conclusively, raffia fiber can be used as trimmings for embellishment as well as production of household articles, such as table mat. The study recommends that workshop and seminars should be carried out by government and Non-Governmental Organizations to train entrepreneurs and trainers on the production of household articles using indigenous fibres. Also, entrepreneurs and textiles industries should utilize indigenous fibres to produce goods and quality household articles to curb the menace of the craving for imported goods at the expense of indigenous products.

1. Introduction

One of the major challenges facing developing and underdeveloped countries of the world is poverty. It has been so endemic as a result of the high rate of unemployment that has become the major characteristic of the developing and underdeveloped countries of the world. Although the level and magnitude of poverty and unemployment has been observed to be different within and across nations, it still remains the major obstacle to the success of the struggle for the optimum utilization of human resources for both social and economic development of nations.

This incidence is higher among the youth who falls within the age bracket of 15-35. The untrained and unskilled youth grows into an unemployable man who cannot be employed because of his lack of marketable skills to be engaged in a job that can adequately support his family.

Ochiagha ¹, defined entrepreneurial skills acquisition as the process of demonstrating the habit of achieves thinking or behaviour in a specific activity. He further stated that skill acquisition is seen as the ability to do or perform an activity that is related to some meaningful exercise, work, or job. He maintained that for entrepreneurial skills to be acquired, appropriate knowledge attitudes, habits of thought and qualities of character are learnt to enable them acquire and develop intellectual, emotional, and moral character which prepares him/her for a brighter future. Douli ² is of the view that entrepreneurial skills acquisition is the manifestation of idea and knowledge through training which is geared towards instilling in individuals, the spirit of entrepreneurship needed for meaningful development. He stressed that if individuals are given the opportunity to acquire relevant skills needed for self sustenance in the economy, it will promote their charisma in any work environment.

Accordingly, Magbegbeola ³ posited that entrepreneurial skills acquisition requires the accumulation of different skills that enhances the performance through the integration of both theoretical and practical forms of knowledge.

Acquisition of skills and youth empowerment is becoming the most viable and effective solution for economic problems faced by the country; whereby every youth will posses marketable skills to make him/her self reliant and in some cases become employer of labour. Education enhances lives. It ends generational poverty and provides a sustainable foundation for nation’s development. According to Ogundele, Akingbade and Akinlabi ⁴, the contribution of entrepreneurship training and education on poverty reduction through youth empowerment and social welfare service improvement will be much significant if entrepreneurship is encouraged at all the level in the south western state especially at local and community level. This position approximate Ohize and Muhammed ⁵, who opined that non-governmental organization can play a vital role in poverty alleviation.

Raffia fibre is obtained from the raffia (raphia) plam tree which grows in tropical regions and in wet soil in Madagascar, Africa and the Philippine. The raffia palm (raphia farinifera) is made of long leaves that an attain 69ft (17m) which makes it the palm tree with the largest branches. Each palm tree branch is made of nearly 100 leaflets which are cut and term off in parallel lines yielding long continuous fibre of a pale green colour. The raffia is a long strip thin strip of fibre as soft as silk about half feet wide and fibre felt long. The fibre is sundried and then turns beige in colour to yield the natural coloured fibre.

Akpama, Esang, Asor and Osang ⁶, observed that acquisition of vocational skills lead to a significant reduction of poverty among young adults, and participant’s age on skill acquisition programmes significantly influenced poverty reduction. Entrepreneurial studies are inter-disciplinary training that focuses on the tools needed to start a new business or vocation. Nigeria fast becoming a predominantly youthful society with high rate of unemployment necessitates training the youth in entrepreneurship skills in technical vocational education and training to tackle the unemployment which has reached alarming proportions. Amadi and Abdullah ² reported from their study that a greater percentage of the sampled youth reported high and moderate levels of their capacity building-implying that the entrepreneurial skills development would be a successful scheme.

Poverty in Nigeria is becoming widespread and endemic. Kareem ⁷ submitted that evidences in Nigeria show that the number of those in poverty has continued to increase. However entrepreneurial skill acquisition promotes income empowerment in an economy and in the modern world. Anekwe Ndibusi Okola and Attah ⁸, agreed that it provides a new approach for fighting poverty and stimulating economic growth in developing countries.

Embellishment as an art has origin that can be traced back to the iron age. The journey began when primitive man discovered that he could use thread to join pieces of fibre to make clothes. As a natural progression it was discovered that the same thread could be used to make decorative patterns. According to Verma, Seemas Khamra ⁹, materials such as metal strips, precious stones and sequins can be used to add this decorative stitching technique to different household articles such as curtains, wall hangings, cushion covers, tea-cozy among others. Other embellishment materials are lace, ribbons and other trimmings. However, the use of indigenous fibre for embellishment may be much more advantageous in; been accessible and affordable, beautifying the articles more serving as a means of utilizing indigenous fiber in a systematically designed manner in the transformation of designed embellished materials.

Raffia farnifera but known as raffia palm grows in tropical climate hence it requires very wet soil for growth. The leaves which are among the longest of any tree in the world is cut vertically and dried to create strands. Elemu ¹⁰, opined that raffia fiber is extremely soft and can be dyed easily. It can be woven like straw to create mats, hats, and baskets. It is often used in place of ribbon, twine, or string thus suitable as embellishment on household articles ³. Raffia is an affordable means of embellishing household articles for indigenous look. Strands of raffia can be used to wrap gifts instead of a ribbon, Maurice and Ode ¹¹ suggested that it can be used instead of paper and simply wrapped around a gift. Raffia fibre are also used for centre pieces, wreaths and rubber-stamped card designs.

Household articles are accessories used in decorating different areas of the home. These articles made of fabrics, serve both aesthetic and functional purposes. They are goods and products used within the household. They are tangible property placed in different rooms of the house. For example, living room, hall ways, kitchen, recreation room among others. Example of household articles include pillow, oven glove, table mat and chef cap among others.

The problem of this study is the alarming and unprecedented increase in the number of unemployed graduates from higher institutions of learning in Nigeria and this demands for diversifying the economy and encouraging practical acquisition of skills through inculcating spirit of entrepreneurship in students of all higher institutions in Nigeria. This study bothers on the acquisition of knowledge in the embellishment of household articles using indigenous fibre among undergraduates that can encourage self-reliant activities. Meanwhile, indigenous fibre among which is raffia has been underutilized in the parlance of clothing and textiles consequently, indigenous household articles are edging towards extinction. This study is expected to fill this gap and provide a database for future researchers in the field of study.

General objective of the study is to determine means of alleviating poverty in Southwestern Nigeria through entrepreneurial skills acquisition in raffia embellished household articles.

Specific objectives are to:

1 Describe socio-economic characteristics of the respondents

2 Produce some household articles using raffia for embellishment

3Assess the acceptability of the raffia embellished household articles

4 Identify the acquisition of skills in raffia embellished household articles, exclusive to clothing and textiles

5 Determine the entrepreneurial value of raffia embellished household articles

6 Identify the possible constraints to acquisition of entrepreneurial skills in raffia embellished household articles.

1 What are the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents?

2 How would raffia be used in the embellishment of household articles production?

3 Would the raffia embellished household articles be acceptable to the respondents?

4 Can the raffia embellished household articles aid the acquisition of entrepreneurial skills?

5 What are the entrepreneurial values of raffia embellished household articles?

6 What are the possible constraints to entrepreneurial skills acquisition in raffia embellished household articles?

HO₁: No significant relationship between Raffia embellished household articles and the acquisition of entrepreneurial skills

HO₂: No significant relationship between household articles production and raffia embellishment.

Justification

The study will benefit the youth, society, and the nation at large. The youths will acquire entrepreneurial skills in the use of raffia to embellish household articles in order to earn to be self-reliant, serve as source of income and eventually become employer of labour. The study will develop creativity in the youth as well as enable them occupy their idle time. The financial benefit and awareness of raffia in terms of cultivation of raffia palm for economic empowerment, accessibility and affordability will be revealed. Hence farmers can cultivate raffia palm to earn their living. Furthermore, it will project cultural articles thereby promoting cultural heritage in clothing and textiles. The production of raffia embellished household articles will help in the promotion of the national economy through the use of indigenous fibres such as raffia for beautification and aesthetic purposes which can be exported to earn foreign exchange.

2. Research Methodology

The study was carried out in Southwest, Nigeria. It comprises of six states (Ogun, Ekiti, Lagos, Ondo, Oyo and Osun) in Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used in the selection of respondents for this study.

The study population was all students in higher institutions of learning as well as all female academic and non-academic members of staff of the institutions in the study area The students are the entrepreneurs while the women are users of the household articles.

Stage 1: The first stage was purposive selection of 3 states from southwestern Nigeria namely: Lagos, Oyo and Ogun.

Stage 2: The second stage involved the selection two higher institutions of learning from each state. They are: University of Lagos, Federal College of Education Akoka, University of Ibadan, Federal College of Education Oyo, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta and Federal College of Education Abeokuta.

Stage 3: Simple random sampling was used to select 300 entrepreneurs and 70 homemakers from Lagos, Oyo and Ogun state. This will give a total of 900 entrepreneurs and 210 home makers as sample size for this study.

Data for this study was based on primary data through the use of structured questionnaire on raffia embellished household articles produced. Data collection include the respondents’ socio-economic characteristics, acceptability of the raffia embellished household articles produced, acquisition of entrepreneurial skills, entrepreneurial value of the raffia embellished household articles and challenges/constraints of entrepreneurial skills acquisition in raffia embellished household articles.

Research design followed a 3-stage methodological procedure as follows:

1. Preliminary survey: This was thorough preliminary observation of the study area, identification of existing structures related to research and selection of specific study area.

2. Testing of research instrument: The instrument was subjected to preliminary tests in order to test the consistency and reliability of the instrument. The instrument was validated by the experts in the field of Home Economics.

3. Field survey and data analysis: This involved production of different raffia embellished household articles and collection of the primary data from the homemakers the data were analyzed statistically.

The instrument was subjected to face validity of experts in Home Economics, vocational and entrepreneurial studies. Their criticisms and suggestions were positively utilized for a more valid instrument.

The reliability test for the instrument was conducted using test re-test method. Administration of the instrument was done for 90 respondents (30 in each state) who were not included in the actual study sample at two weeks interval. Scores were assigned to the responses of the selected respondents. Total scores for each period were computed and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to determine the relationship between the two set of scores. The instrument was considered reliable with a reliability coefficient range from 0.79 to 0.89.

In the practical aspect of the research, the entrepreneurs used dyed, woven, and stitched raffia fibres to embellish various household articles. This also involved the exhibition of raffia embellished household articles that were produced by the entrepreneurs. The household articles produced, their pictures and pictures of their exhibition were made available to the respondents (homemakers) as the end users (purchasers) of the articles

Materials: Raffia, strips of fabric, trimmings and gum

iCutting raffia stick of 11^” long and ½” wide

iiCutting strips of fabric of about 2^” x 14^” for binding

iiiArrange 50 long raffia sticks interspaced with the wide one of 11 x ½” at the interval of 10 sticks. This makes a total of 10 wide and 50 sticks per mat.

ivInterwoven each stick with the strip of fabric and lace trimming; binding the fabric to raffia stick with the aid of gum.

vEnsure Raffia sticks both ends are even in length and neatly bind.

Materials: Fabric, needle, thread and raffia fibre

i. Cut your fabric to apron as desired by size and shape

ii. Twist the raffia fibre into chain stitch

iii. Threadle the needle with knitted raffia fibre and neatly sew it all around the apron.

iv. Attach the knitted raffia as the apron belt and hanger for the neck.

Materials: Fabric, foam, thread, raffia, big hand needle, woven raffia fabric.

i. Use the fabric, foam and thread to sew a quilted oven glove

ii. Twist the raffia fibre (strings)

iii. Use the big hand needle threaded with twisted raffia fibre to embellish the oven glove all round firmly with raffia fibre.

Materials is same as for oven glove

i Sew the quilted pot pad using fabric, foam, needle and thread

ii Prepare woven raffia fibre using twisting method

iii Treadle the needle with twisted raffia fibre and firmly sew it round the port pad neatly

Materials: Dyed raffia fibers, jute sack, raffia fibre, Thread, needle and knitting pin

i. Dye the raffia fibre into desired colour preferably dark hue. This is to keep dirt been a foot mat

ii. Knit the dyed raffia fiber using knitting pin to make cross stitch. The size of the knitted raffia depends on the size of the foot mat to be made.

iii. Get a big jute sack, fold it and sew as the underlay for the knitted raffia.

iv. Using the needle and raffia as thread; sew the knitted fibre to the sewn jute sack.

v. Cover up the jute sack with the knitted fibre.

3. Results and Discussion

Respondents’ Acceptability of Articles (n= 210)

With a grand mean of 3.52 and standard deviation of 0.25, Table 2 revealed that the raffia embellished household articles produced by the entrepreneurs were acceptable to the home-makers for aesthetic and functional purposes.

Skill Acquisition

Table 3 revealed that raffia embellishment of household articles can offer worthwhile skills that can be acquired by the entrepreneurs. A grand mean of 3.53 and a standard deviation of 0.02 affirmed this

Entrepreneurial Values of Articles

Table 4's grand mean of 3.39 and standard deviation of 0.39 revealed that raffia embellishment of household articles has quality entrepreneurial values that can be adopted by the youth.

Possible Constraints

Table 5 revealed that several constraints militate against the utilization of raffia fibers in the acquisition of entrepreneurial skills in raffia embellished household articles. A grand mean of 3.67 and standard deviation of 0.16 affirmed this.

Hypothèses Testing

Table 6 shows the result of a one–sample t–test to test the hypothesis that raffia embellishment added no significant value to the household articles.

The mean score of the value of raffia fiber embellishment was compared against a threshold of 50%. Values higher than 50% (strongly agreed or agreed) suggested an influence while values lower that 50% (strongly disagreed or disagreed) revealed no value.

Table 6 shows the mean score of significantly (p <0.05) higher than 50% (t = 30.5 df = 1001)

Chi square results in Table 7 showed that significant relationship existed between raffia embellished household articles and acquisition of entrepreneurial skills. (χ² = 23.1, df = 2, p = 0.02), development and demonstration of skills in weaving (χ² =66.5, df=2,p=0.01), production of trimmings and decoration for household articles (χ ² = 80.0, df 2, p = 0.03), production of durable household articles (χ ² = 22.4, df = 2, p = 0.02).

This implies that raffia-embellished household articles positively impact entrepreneurs' acquisition of entrepreneurial skills. Therefore, the null hypothesis that there is no significant relationship between raffia-embellished household articles and entrepreneurial skill acquisition is rejected.

4. Discussion of Findings

The raffia embellished household articles produced were acceptable to the home makers. They submitted that raffia used to embellish the articles improved their appearances, made them functional and added aesthetic values. This agreed with the view of Dilara et al ⁹ that raffia fibre is a suitable embellishment in place of ribbon, twine, or strings on household articles.

The study revealed several entrepreneurial skills that can be acquired from the use of raffia fibre in the embellishment of household articles. These include production of trimmings for embellishment, different types of weaving skills (e.g. twisting) and the development of their innovative and creative inclination through which durable and quality household articles were produced. Idoko ¹² supporting this, opined that training acquired by individuals or group of individuals can lead to acquisition of knowledge for self sustenance and by extension provides a new approach for fighting poverty and stimulating economic growth in developing counties. Consequently, entrepreneurial value of raffia embellished household articles would serve as a source of income through job creation, some becoming employer of labour and promotion of export drive.

However, there are constraints that can impede the acquisition of entrepreneurial skills in raffia embellished household’s article. These include seasonal availability of raffia fibre as it grows only in swampy areas, mostly harvested in dry season thus usually very scarce during raining season ¹⁰. Other factors are other competitive usage of raffia palm. Craving for imported goods at the expense of the local products also aid under development of local fibres, thereby making the cultivation of raffia palm to be going to extinction.

5. Conclusion

From the findings of this study, conclusion was drawn as:

1. The raffia embellished household articles were acceptable to the home makers.

2. Raffia embellishment on the articles produced improved their appearance and added functional and aesthetic values

3. The embellishment makes it unique as well as portray skills and creativity in clothing and textiles

4. Raffia embellishment of household articles aid acquisition of skills exclusive to clothing and textiles

5. Raffia embellished household articles aids innovative inclination of the entrepreneurs as well as enabling them to learn and demonstrate different weaving skills

6. It promotes creativity and production of durable and befitting household articles.

7. The embellished household articles offered entrepreneurial values in the cultivation of raffia fibres as well as marketing the fibre and the articles embellished with it.

8. The raffia embellished household articles can serve as sources of income and promote export drive

9. Seasonal availability of raffia palm and underdevelopment of our local fibres can hinder the acquisition of entrepreneurial skills in raffia embellished household articles.

10.Other competitive uses of raffia palm, such as palm wine, brooms, and baskets, may limit the acquisition of the required skills in raffia-embellished household articles.

11.There was no significant difference between household articles produced and raffia embellishment

12.There was a significant relationship between raffia embellished household articles and acquisition of entrepreneurial skills.

13.Developing entrepreneurial skills in the production of raffia-adorned household articles can aid the alleviation of poverty in the study area.

6. Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations were made to alleviate poverty in southwestern Nigeria through entrepreneurial skills acquisition in raffia embellished household articles

1. Government should invest profitably into the production of local fibres, for the production of household articles. Such investment include the following:

a. Provision of soft loans and allocation of suitable farmlands to interested farmers in the cultivation of raffia fibres.

b. Establishment of industries for the processing of local fibres into required materials for the production of household articles.

c. Organizing workshops and seminars on the cultivation and utilization of raffia fibres.

d. Provision of irrigation farming for the cultivation of raffia palm during dry season for its availability throughout the year

2. Non-Governmental Organizations, Individual, large scale and small-scale farmers should adopt the cultivation of raffia fibres.

3. Government and Non-Governmental Organizations should launch massive campaign in favour of the adoption of the use of local raw materials to curb the menace of the craving for imported ones.

4. Household articles designers should go into production of quality and affordable materials made of raffia fibres to compete favorably with others made of foreign raw materials.

5. Workshop and Seminars wherein designers can be trained to in the usage raffia fibres in the production of trimmings and other quality accessories should be organized at Local, State and Federal level of the Government.

APPENDIX I

APPENDIX II

SECTION A: Socio-economic characteristics of respondents

Please tick the choice applicable to you.

1. Age of respondents: less than or equal 30 (), 31-40 (), 41-50 (), 51 and above ()

2. Ethnicity: Yoruba (), Hausa (), Igbo (), Others ()

3. Religion: Christianity (), Islam (), Traditional practice ()

4. Household size: 1-3 (), 4-6 (), 7-9 (), above 10 ()

5. Educational status: B.sc & above (), OND/NCE (), WASCE ()

6. Marital status: Single (), Married ()

SECTION B: Subject Matter

Acceptability of Raffia Embellished Household Articles

References