EVALUATION of Entrepreneurial Skills Acquisition
Among the Muslim Youths in Ebiraland Nigeria
Among the Muslim Youths in Ebiraland Nigeria
EVALUATION of Entrepreneurial Skills Acquisition
Among the Muslim Youths in Ebiraland Nigeria
Among the Muslim Youths in Ebiraland Nigeria
EVALUATION of Entrepreneurial Skills Acquisition
Among the Muslim Youths in Ebiraland Nigeria
by
1 ABDUL AZEEZ BADMUS N.O. (PhD)
Department of Arabic and Islāmic Studies,
Faculty of Arts and Humanities,
Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria
2 DR. SAAD MURTALA
Department of Arabic and Islāmic Studies,
Faculty of Arts and Humanities,
Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria
3 DR. SULEIMAN M. S.
Department of Arabic and Islāmic Studies,
Faculty of Arts and Humanities,
Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria
4 MALLAM FAUZU AL-AZIM USMAN CISSE
Department of Arabic and Islāmic Studies,
Faculty of Arts and Humanities,
Prince Abubakar Audu University Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria
usmancissefauzuiazim@gmail.com
5 MALLAM OKALA YUNUS YUSUF
Department of Arabic and Islāmic Studies,
Faculty of Arts and Humanities,
Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria
yunusyusuf4@gmail.com
EVALUATION of Entrepreneurial Skills Acquisition
Among the Muslim Youths in Ebiraland Nigeria
ABSTRACT
The level the participation of the youths among the Ebira people of Kogi State in the area of entrepreneurship skills acquisition has not been studied at this level. So this study is believed to be the first attempt in this area of research. This study has attempted to evaluate the level of participation of Muslim youths in Ebiraland of Kogi State in the five local Government Areas of the State mainly: Ajaokuta, Okene, Adavi, Okehi, and Ogori-Mangogo. The study is based on descriptive approach through exploring the primary and secondary sources. Data collected through questionnaire are discussed and analyzed for logical conclusion. The study showcased the level of participation of the Ebira youth in the area of skills acquisition. According to this study, skills acquisition has become an important source of wealth creation among the youths and has also reduced the rate of crime, joblessness and created sense of self respect. It is suggested that the philanthropists and well-to-do in the society among the Ebira people should stretch hands of support to the youths in one way or the other to establish themselves after the completion of the period of learning. Governments at the state and local levels should also assist the youths for success in the area of skill acquisition for the economic freedom to create an atmosphere of peace and harmony in the society. Funds should be made available and electric supply should be provided.
Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Skills Acquisition, Evaluation, Muslim Youths, Ebiraland.
Introduction
It is true that Islam has prescribed many ways to enhance the economic lives of it’s adherents, and as the world is moving fast in maximizing the economic life of every nation, governments at all levels are trying to expose its citizens to the means of wealth creation. Many of our youths trying to participate in this trend, the level of the involvement of the youths in Ebiraland is yet to be explored despite the fact that Muslims are the majority in the area of this study. As Muslims, there are rules and regulations to involve in this trend. Hence the evaluation of the Ebira Muslim youths of Kogi State in entrepreneurial skills acquisition is highly demanding for proper documentation in other to appreciate such participation and to determine its level.
This research explores the impact of Islam on the cultural, geo-political and economic live of Muslim youths and evaluation of their participation in entrepreneurial skills acquisition among the Ebira youths of Kogi State, Nigeria.
Attempt is made to showcase the function and implementation of entrepreneurial skills acquisition generally and the role of Islam. The research has also looked into what is considered as the methods and application of Islamic entrepreneurial skills acquisition then the evaluation of the participation of the Ebira youths.
Conceptual Framework of Islamic entrepreneurship:
Skills acquisition is the art of learning to do something in order to earn a living and or to survive, while evaluation is a process that critically examines a program. It involves collecting and analyzing information about a program activities, characteristics, and outcomes. Its purpose is to make judgment about a program, to improve its effectiveness, and or to inform programming decisions.
Islamic Entrepreneurship Model
Islamic entrepreneurship is a system, process and practices of conducting business in an Islamic way. Islam is a way of life and it encompasses the entire activities of Muslims to lead their life in this world in accordance with the dictate of the Qur’ān and sunnah. So in theory, Islam through al-Qur’ān and Sunnah provides the complete and concrete guide for the Muslims in their activities and practices related to businesses and entrepreneurship.
Following the teachings of Qur’ān and Sunnah in entrepreneurship and other type of businesses guarantee reward in this world and the hereafter. These practices ensure competitive capabilities in almost every aspect of life including business as expounded in many verses of the Qur’ān: (Qur’ān 47:7; 3:160, 65:2-3),
7. O you who believe! if you help (the cause of) Allah, He will help you and make firm your feet.
160. If Allah assists you, then there is none that can overcome you, and if He forsakes you, who is there then that can assist you after Him? And on Allah should the believers rely.
2. So when they have reached their prescribed time, then retain them with kindness or separate them with kindness, and call to witness two men of justice from among you, and give upright testimony for Allah. With that is admonished he who believes in Allah and the latter day; and whoever is careful of (his duty to) Allah, He will make for him an outlet
3. And give him sustenance from whence he thinks not; and whoever trusts in Allah, He is sufficient for him; surely Allah attains His purpose; Allah indeed has appointed a measure for everything.
The verse number 7 of chapter 47 of Qur’ān reads that should the Muslims work their way by helping the religion of Islam, Allah SWT promises to help them in return and make their position stronger. So is the 160th verse of Qur’ān in Chapter 3, al-Imrān where Allah says that if He helped the Muslims, no one shall be in position to outdo them.
Again in Chapter 65 of Qur’ān, Allah offers the Muslims through verses 2 and 3 that He shall provide the Muslims with solutions to their problems and issues that they themselves are not in the position to acquire the solutions by themselves and that they are not in position to identify the source of the solutions. During the Islamic civilization ranging from the 10th to 15th century AD, Kamal Abd Razak citing Kayed and Hassan (2011) wrote that the Muslims then were the most successful entrepreneurs and exemplary to their peers.1
1 Kayed, R. N. & Hassan, M. K.. Islamic Entrepreneurship: A Case Study of Saudi Arabia. Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship, Scintific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd. (2010) vol. 15 No. (04), 379-413.
Understanding of Qur’ān and Sunnah and having the right knowledge of what we want to do are
condition to determine the level of success for Muslims entrepreneurs and for others as well.
Muslim entrepreneurs must possess the technical knowledge of the business as well the religious knowledge in order to be successful. It is also possible that if non-Muslims who firmly comprehend what they do and practice the teachings of the Qur’ān, would perform better in their
business than others, and those who recognize that and practice the Islamic ways improves their business performance.
Muslims have to properly develop their model through the Islamic sources and by taking into account all the contemporary environmental issues, challenges and barriers to its development.
The model need to be tightly aligned with the Muslims purpose of life and Islamic worldview and be designed and built on principles, as proposed by Bhuiyan (1996),: such as element of īmān (belief), fear of Allah, seeking guidance from the holy Qur’ān, Sunnah, Ijmāc, Qiyās, Sharīcah guidelines, accountability and sense of responsibility, justice for all, economy in usage not wastage, dignity of labor, division of labor and forgiveness for minor faults.2
The principles also to include, taqwah as a framework, halāl agenda as a top priority, worship to Allah as top priority, practicing high moral values, trustworthiness and integrity, concern for welfare of all, knowledgeable, caring for society and environment.
According to Hamaad and Sa’ari in their paper, this model positions the entrepreneur as the central player in the system that aligns himself well within the relationship paradigms with Allah, nature and mankind. Demand on conducting business is fardu al- Kifāyah, at times even fardu al-Acynī, thus, dedication towards human beings is not the end of everything. Thus, entrepreneur should place their objectives and operations centered on the relationship with Allah the Almighty. 3
2 Bhuiyan, A. M. Entrepreneurship in Islam. Cantillon, R. (1755). History of Economic Thought Books. 1996 P. 25
3 Hamid, S. A. & Sa’ari, C. Z.. “Reconstructing Entrepreneur’s Development Based on al-
Qur’an and al-Hadith”. International Journal of Business and Social
Science, Vol. 2 No.(19) Special Issue, October 2011. P.114
Entrepreneurial development based on Rubūbiyyah and Ulūhiyyah is to ensure that they are not negligent from remembering Allah the Almighty especially in performing other religious obligations and in flourishing the earth with relationship among Man and the universe. With the appropriate supports and inputs the entrepreneur shall perform diligently meet the Islamic entrepreneurial objectives which has different dimensions compared to the conventional entrepreneurship.
The model also proposes that the governments at various levels should endeavor to support and pay attention to these activities to eliminate any type of discrimination and to promote the notion of dignity of labour among the citizens.
Successful entrepreneurs who are Muslims should realize the function of spending in a right way by paying business dues, donating, giving loans to the needy. Entrepreneurs that failed, needed to be helped and provided with assistance as this will give others chance to excel and improve themselves.
Islamic Business Ethics
Scholars viewed that the main themes in the Islamic Entrepreneurship shall include the Islamic business ethics. Muhammad et. al, (2013) suggested that when a business is clear of its main purpose and values and aligns its grade and standard, it is likely to attract and keeps some talented people, reduces inefficiency, stress and attracts more clients, customers and also suppliers who deliver goods of high standards. 4
It is further stressed that the proposed Islamic business ethics for entrepreneurship should be based on Trust Amānah Justice ‘Adl, Sincerity Ikhlaās, Truthfulness Sidq and Benevolence Ihsān. Hashi nd, (2011) on the other hand the concept of Islamic business ethics is based on good characters akhlāq, adapted from the Qur’ān and practices of the Prophet Sunnah, and the scope and principles be based on the concept of being vicegerent khalīfah.5
4 Muhammad, M. Z., Junoh, A. S., Abdullah, A. R., Redzuan, R. H., & Muhammad, S. F.. “The Concept of Business Ethics in Islamic Perspective: an Introductory Study of Small and Medium Enterprises” (2013) (SMEs).
5 Hashi, A. A.. Islamic Ethics: An Outline of its Principles and Scope. Revelation and Science, Journal of intellectual Revival, International Islamic University, Malaysia. 1433H /(2011).1(03).
Resource-based view theories (Wernerfelt, 1984) focuses on the way individuals leverage different types of resources towards achieving their business objectives.
Access to capital is normally essential to start a new venture off the ground, but some entrepreneurs often start ventures with little ready capital. 6
A theory put forward by psychologist David McClelland, offers that entrepreneurs possess a need for achievement that drives their activity. One of the McClelland works (with McBer) is the Personal Entrepreneurial Competency Model. It was developed in the year 1965 and is still widely being used in the entrepreneurship study.7
Julian Rotter, on the other hand, puts forward a theory that people with a strong internal locus of control can influence the external world. A final approach, suggests personality traits ranging from creativity and resilience to optimism drive entrepreneurial behaviour.8
All the above perceptions, theories, thinking and practices based on the current prevalent ideas of entrepreneurship is what is normally understood as the conventional entrepreneurship. For the purpose of the discussion in this paper, conventional entrepreneurship also includes social entrepreneurship which has recently becomes the interest of researchers and practitioners in entrepreneurship. Social entrepreneurship is perceived to be the combination of entrepreneurship and a social mission (Mair & Marti, 2006).9 Austin, Stevenson & Wei-Skillern defined social entrepreneurship as “entrepreneurial activity embedded with a social purpose.” 10
The conventional entrepreneurship theories and practices have been considered less significant relationship with religion.
6 Wernerfelt, B, “A Resource‐based View of the Firm”. Strategic Management Journal, (1984), 5(2), 171-180.
7 McClelland, D. C.. “Achievement and Entrepreneurship: A Longitudinal Study”. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, (1965), 1(4), 389.
8 Julian, L. S. God is my CEO, Adams Media Publication, (2006) Massachusetts.
9 Mair, J., & Marti, I. “Social Entrepreneurship Research: A Source of Explanation, Prediction, and Delight”. Journal of World Business, (2006), 41(1), 36-44.
10 Austin, J., Stevenson, H., & Wei‐Skillern, J. Social and Commercial Entrepreneurship: Same, Different, or Both?. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, (2006), 30(1), 1-22.
Al-Qaradhawi as cited by Marzuki (2016) elaborates on the Islamic economy that has the following characteristics namely Rabāaniyyah which is Godly, Akhlāqiyyah which is ethical, Insāniyyah which is humanistic and Wasatiyyah which is balanced in life (Al-Qaradhawi, 2009; Alserhan, 2011 & Beekun, 1996).11
This is done in context of understanding what mankind’s purpose of life is; what are their objectives in life; and through what means are they going through it. It is all about the Almighty Allah and we are heading to the hereafter, with the objective of meeting Allah the Creator in the hereafter.
Practicing Islamic value proposition that is ‘Following the Islamic way’ by referring to the Qur’ān and Sunnah in entrepreneurship for Muslims guarantees the biggest reward in this world and the hereafter.
Population and Sample
The population for this study is entire Muslim youths and entrepreneurs and the skills acquisition learners in Ebiraland. The sample size is the five selected Local Government Areas. The respondents are chosen randomly for the study. The five Local Government Areas are chosen base on the concentration of Muslims there off. The total numbers of respondents is seventy from the four Local Government Areas. Each manager or entrepreneur from the selected area is involved in the research.
The local Government Areas include: Ajaokuta, Okene, Adavi, Okehi and Ogori-Magongo.
Instruments and Data Collection
Questionnaire is major instrument used to collect relevant information for the study.
Two questionnaires: one for the managers or the entrepreneurs and another for skill acquisition learners.
11 Marzuki, H. M., Mawar, R., Zakaria & Hameed, L. (2016). Islamic Business Ethics and Competitiveness: a Preliminary Approach on a Case Study of Muslim Fresh Fruit Bunches Producers in
Malaysia,
a-the managers questionnaire is divided into two sections. Section A contains information about
the social status of the manager which includes Sex, Qualification, Age, and Length of years on the specific skill and so on. Section B contains information about his area of entrepreneurship.
The format follows the likert rating scale in which respondents are to choose from three options by ticking any of: Agree (A) Strongly Agree (SA) Disagree (D) Strongly Disagree (SD) Undecided (U).
The Learner’s Questionnaire
The learner’s questionnaire comprises two sections: A & B, section A contains information about the learner: Age, Sex, education, Religion and the duration signed for learning the skill. Section B contains the learner’s opinion about the skill. This section contains up to fourteen items which the learner have responded to by ticking the appropriate column out of followings: Agree (A) Strongly Agree (SA) Disagree (D) Strongly Disagree (SD) Undecided (U).
It is instructive to state that the interview in this work has been made in form of a questionnaire for easy and quick response. It has been made as table two of personal data of the participants.
Validity of Instrument and it’s Administration
The questionnaire and the format were codified and adopted to suite the purpose of the study. The questionnaires have been looked into by an experienced scholar in the field of this research.
The researchers collectedinformation through the use of questionnaires and carried out the administration of the questionnaire. Preliminary visit was paid to the sample centers with a view to seek necessary permission and co-operation of the manager of the place.
In the final visit, questionnaires were administered. The questionnaires were distributed to the learners and managers of the centers who after reading them carefully filled them appropriately. Then the questionnaires were retrieved from them.
After collecting, sorting and accepting the appropriateness of the filling of the questionnaires, they were analyzed. The researchers adopted the following techniques in analyzing the data:
- Editing
- Tabulating
The researcher edited the questionnaires by cross checking whether all the questions have been fully responded to, this is to ensure accuracy of analysis and elimination of misinterpretation of facts.
DATA ANALYSIS
Analysis of the Response of the Male and Female Entrepreneurs
- Skills acquisition reduces poverty
| Opinion | Frequency | Percentage |
| A | 15 | 100% |
| D | 0 | 0 |
| U | 0 | 0 |
Based on the total above it is certain that skills acquisition reduces poverty in the society according to the majority of our respondents. All the respondents agreed that skills acquisition reduces poverty in the area of the study. Therefore the percentage of agree respondents is 100% with zero percent for disagreement and undecided.
- Skills acquisition has positive effect on the society
| Opinion | Frequency | Percentage |
| A | 13 | 71.43% |
| D | 2 | 28.57% |
| U | 0 | 0 |
According to the percentage of the response to the question the majority of them which is seventy one percent and above agreed that skills acquisition have positive effect on the society especially among the youth of the Ebiraland. Some insignificant numbers of the respondent which is about twenty nine percent also disagreed with this fact. Based on this we can conclude that Skills acquisition has positive effect on the life of the Ebira people.
- Skills acquisition reduces crime in the society
| Opinion | Frequency | Percentage |
| A | 15 | 100% |
| D | 0 | 0% |
| U | 0 | 0% |
Based on the table three above, one hundred percent of the respondents agreed that skills acquisition in Ebiraland reduces occurrence of crime among the youth while none of the respondents disagreed this fact, this is an evidence that skills acquisition really reduces the occurrence of crime in the society.
- Skills acquisition helps to gain more knowledge
| Opinion | Frequency | Percentage |
| A | 15 | 100 |
| D | 0 | 0 |
| U | 0 | 0 |
In the table four above all the respondents agreed that skills acquisition helps in gaining more knowledge and none of them disagree this fact. That is the reason why we suggest that the youth know the importance of skills acquisition.
- Inadequate electric supply affects our work
| Opinion | Frequency | Percentage |
| A | 15 | 100% |
| D | 0 | 0 |
| U | 0 |
In table five the percentage of respondents that agreed that electric supply affect the skills acquisition is greater that the percentage of those that disagreed as the former is 71% and above, while the later is only 28% and above. It is evident that the work or skill of those who disagreed does not depend on the availability of electricity. Most of the skills available nowadays are mostly depend on steady electricity.
- Skills acquisition reduces joblessness
| Respondents | Frequency | Percentage |
| A | 15 | 100% |
| D | 0 | 0 |
| U | 0 | 0 |
In table six above the frequency is fifteen and the percentage is 100%, which means that acquisition of skill reduces joblessness and 0% disagreed that skills acquisition reduces joblessness which also shows that skills acquisition reduces joblessness really most especially among the youth in the area of study.
- Skills acquisition build self-respect in individual
| Respondents | Frequency | Percentage |
| A | 15 | 100% |
| D | 0 | 0 |
| U | 0 | 0 |
In the table seven above the frequency is also fifteen and the percentage in 100% which is the percentage of the participants who agreed that skills acquisition build self-respect in the individual of the youth that participate in the skills acquisition in Ebiraland. None of the participants disagreed on the fact that skills acquisition builds self-respect in individuals of the youth in the area of this study.
- Skills Acquisition helps youths not to depend on while collar job
| Respondents | Frequency | Percentage |
| A | 15 | 100% |
| D | 0 | 0 |
| U | 0 | 0 |
According to table eight above, all the respondents agreed that skills acquisition helps the youth in the area of study not to rely or depend on white Collar job, while none of them disagreed on this fact, which means that percentage of the respondent that agreed is larger than those who disagreed on this fact assumption. This is evidence that skills acquisition helps the youth not to rely on white collar jobs.
- We need the government help
| Respondents | Frequency | Percentage |
| A | 15 | 100% |
| D | 0 | 0 |
| U | 0 | 0 |
In table mine all the respondents agreed that the practitioner of skills acquisition need assistance of the government for the advancement of their professions, while none of them disagree the need for help from the government side. This shows that the participants in skills acquisition really need government’s assistance for the smooth running of their skills.
- Skills acquisition increase technological advancement in the society
| Respondents | Frequency | Percentage |
| A | 11 | 73.3 |
| D | 4 | 26.6 |
| U | 0 | 0 |
Table ten above showed that seventy three percent and above among the respondents agreed that skills acquisition increases advancement in technology, while twenty six percent and above of the respondents disagreed that skills acquisition increases technological advancement in the society. It is evident that skills acquisition really increases advancement in technology.
Personal Data of Respondents among the Directors of Entrepreneurship
Looking at the gender aspect of the respondents among the entrepreneurs, fifty three percent of them are males while forty six percent are female which shows that there is gender equality among the populace in the area of skills acquisition in the area of this study.
The managers of these skills are in between the age of twenty five and thirty five years, which shows that most if those that have mastered one skill or the other are still among the youth in the area of study.
In table one also we found out that despite the random approach applied, all the respondents are Muslim, which may mean that most of those entrepreneurs are Muslims. It is also discovered that ninety percent of those masters are married people which also showed that there is early marriage among youths that ventured into skills acquisition in other area of study.
Forty percent of the respondents here have Post Secondary School Certificate which is ordinary diploma, twenty six percent of them have school leaving certificated, twenty six percent of them also have no formal education while only one percent has degree certificate.
All of the respondents also are self-employed who do not have any additional job beside their area of skills acquisitions.
Under table two of this section, all of the respondents have learnt other skills beside their present area of skills acquisition 57% of the female entrepreneurs take to fashion designing.
The majority of the females are entrepreneurs in the area of fashion designing, while fifty percent of the males are into barbing skills; twenty five percent are experts in Aluminum works.
Eighty percent of the managers have been on the work and training of apprentice for a period of ten years, and have trained more than ten trainees each during this period of time and also eighty percent of the trainees were Muslims.
As all the manager of skill training agreed that they have trained at least ten trainees each during the period of ten years. It means that one hundred apprentices have been trained; eighty percent which is one hundred and twenty Muslim were trained during the period of ten years.
Analysis of Respondents among the Males and Females Trainees of Skills Acquisition
Analysis on Table one:
The total respondents among the trainees are as follows: fifty six respondents were given questionnaires, this include twenty seven male and twenty nine females. Twenty nine of them are between the ages of twenty one to twenty five, twenty five percent are of the ages of twenty six to thirty years, fourteen percent are between the ages of fifteen to twenty while nine percent are between the ages of thirty six and forty.
Seventy two percent of the apprentices are Muslims male and females, while twenty nine percent are Christians and others. Eighty percent of them are single while twenty percent are married.
Thirty eight percent are secondary school holders while primary school leavers are eighteen percent, those without formal education are twenty three percent, and those that are having Post Secondary education are eighteen percent the majority of who are female students.
Eighty two percent of the skill learners are students in various levels of education, others self-employed are only five percent.
Table two
The response to table indicates that one hundred percent of the learners had learnt other skills before the one at hand by the time of our investigation.
Twenty percent of the learners choose tailoring, thirty one percent of the female learners choose hairdressing, while twenty eighty percent of them learn fashion designing. Twenty two percent of the males learn tailoring, twenty six percent of them learn fashion designing, nineteen percent of them learn Aluminum works while twenty six percent of them learn other skills.
Fifty two percent of the learners registered for two to three years for the skill they learn. Sixteen percent of them signed for over three years, while thirty two percent signed for less than two years between three to six months.
Learners Questionnaire:
Out of the fifty six participants, only fifty of them returned the forms. The analysis of their responses is as follow:
- Skills acquisition reduces poverty
| Opinion | Frequency | Percentage |
| A | 43 | 86 |
| D | 6 | 12 |
| U | 1 | 2 |
According to the tale one above eighty six percent of the participants among the learners agreed that skills acquisition reduces poverty while twelve percent of them disagreed and two percent are undecided, it is certain that skills acquisition reduces poverty according to learners of skills acquisition.
2. Skills acquisition has effect on the society
| Opinion | Frequency | Percentage |
| A | 42 | 84 |
| D | 6 | 12 |
| U | 2 | 4 |
Table two above shows that eighty four percent of the respondents agreed that skills acquisition has positive effect on the society while twelve percent disagreed and four percent undecided. This shows that according to the learners, majority of them agreed that skills acquisition has positive effect on the society in the area of this study.
- Skills acquisition reduces crime in the society
| Opinion | Frequency | Percentage |
| A | 46 | 92 |
| D | 3 | 6 |
| C | 3 | 6 |
The table three above shows that ninety two percent of the respondents among the learners agreed that skills acquisition reduces crime in the society, while six percent of them disagreed and only two percent of them are undecided. It is an indication that skills acquisition reduces crime in the society.
- Skills acquisition helps to gain more knowledge
| Opinion | Frequency | Percentage |
| A | 44 | 88 |
| D | 3 | 6 |
| C | 3 | 6 |
Table four above proves that eighty eight percent of the participants among the learners agreed that skills acquisition helps to gain more knowledge, while six percent of them disagreed and six percent of them are undecided, which means that skills acquisition really helps to gain more knowledge.
- Inadequate electric supply effects over works
| Opinion | Frequency | Percentage |
| A | 48 | 96 |
| D | 2 | 4 |
| U | 0 | 0 |
According to the table five above ninety six percent of the participants among the learners agreed that inadequate of electric supply affects their works while four percent of them disagreed with that. This is an indication that inadequate of electric supply really has advert affect on the works of the participants.
- Skills acquisition reduces joblessness
| Opinion | Frequency | Percentage |
| A | 50 | 100 |
| D | 0 | 0 |
| U | 0 | 0 |
According to table six above one hundred percent of the respondents agreed that skills acquisition reduces joblessness while zero percentage of the respondents disagreed, it shows that skills acquisition really reduces joblessness among the learners.
- Skills acquisition builds self respect in individuals
| Opinion | Frequency | Percentage |
| A | 48 | 96 |
| D | 1 | 2 |
| U | 1 | 2 |
The table seven above shows that ninety six percent among the learners agreed that skills acquisition builds self respect in individual in the area of the study, while two percent of the respondents disagreed and two percent of them undecided, which means, that skills acquisition builds self respect according to the respondents among the learners.
- Skills acquisition helps youth not to depend on white color job.
| Opinion | Frequency | Percentage |
| A | 49 | 98 |
| D | 1 | 2 |
| U | 0 | 0 |
Table eight above shows ninety eight percent among the learners agreed that skills acquisition helps youths not to depend on white color jobs while two percent disagreed and did not see skills acquisition as a help for the youths not to depend on white color job in the area of this study.
- We need government help.
| Opinion | Frequency | Percentage |
| A | 38 | 76 |
| D | 7 | 14 |
| U | 5 | 10 |
In table nine above seventy six percent of the respondents agreed that they need government assistance in the smooth running of their business, while fourteen percent disagreed and thing they do not need government help. Ten percent of the respondents are undecided, which indicates that government help is needed.
- Skills acquisition increases technological advancement in the society.
| Opinion | Frequency | Percentage |
| A | 34 | 68 |
| D | 9 | 18 |
| U | 7 | 14 |
In table ten sixty eight percent of the respondents agreed that skills acquisition increases technological advancement in the area of this study. While eighteen percent of them disagreed, fourteen percent of them are undecided which means that skills acquisition increases technological advancement in the area of study.
- 1 choose this skill by myself
| Opinion | Frequency | Percentage |
| A | 48 | 98 |
| D | 1 | 1 |
| U | 1 | 1 |
According to table eleven above ninety eight percent of the respondents among the learners agreed that they choose their area of skills acquisition based on their own wishes but not based on the dictate of any other person while one percent is based on an outside suggestion and one percent is undecided.
- 1 was encouraged by my parent
| Opinion | Frequency | Percentage |
| A | 2 | 4 |
| D | 47 | 94 |
| U | 1 | 2 |
Table twelve above shows that four percent of the respondents agreed that they were influenced by their parents in choosing their area of skill acquisition, while ninety four percent of them disagreed the influence of their parents on their choice of the skills acquisition they learned and two percent of them are undecided.
- 1 like this skill
| Opinion | Frequency | Percentage |
| A | 47 | 94 |
| D | 0 | 0 |
| U | 3 | 6 |
In table thirteen, ninety four percent of the respondents among the learners agreed that they like the skill they choose and no one disagreed, six percent of them are undecided which is an indication that most of the respondents among the learners choose their skill based on likeness.
- 1 have enough money to set up my own shop.
| Opinion | Frequency | Percentage |
| A | 21 | 42 |
| D | 27 | 54 |
| U | 2 | 4 |
According to table fourteen, forty two percent of the respondents agreed that they have enough money to set up their business after freedom from their masters, while fifty four percent of them disagreed that they have enough money to do so and four percent are undecided,
- This skills acquisition is difficult to acquire
| Opinion | Frequency | Percentage |
| A | 22 | 44 |
| D | 22 | 44 |
| U | 6 | 12 |
Table fifteen shows that forty four percent of the respondents among the learners agreed that skills acquisition is difficult to acquire and another forty four disagreed to that and twelve percent of the respondents are undecided. This is evidence that skills acquisition is not difficult to many of respondents and it is difficult to many others based on the type of skills acquisition chosen by individuals.
Conclusion
The impact of entrepreneurial skills acquisition in the life of the Ebira youths in the area of this study could not be denied as we have witnessed the involvement of more of them in one skills acquisition or the other. They have realized the importance of their involvement in this area of entrepreneurship and the level of their participation is encouraging and appreciating. They have taking skills acquisition as an essential means of wealth creation in the Ebira society as most of the masters of the skills acquisition centres are self employers based their economic life totally on the produce of their skills. Some of the young ones at the secondary level are also endeavor to combine that with the learning of one skill or the other.
They have realized how skills acquisition could reduce level of crimes, joblessness and built self-respect among the youths in the society. It has also been observed that the involvement of youths is not confined to the males only but it also includes the female members of the youths as well.
There is also element of diversity in choosing the skills learnt by the youth, they have involved themselves in different areas of skills ranging from aluminum works, computer training, tailoring fashion designing, and hair dressing and so on. With different duration for learning the skills, some of them even combine the learning of these skills with education at the tertiary levels of education. The managers of the skills acquisition centres as well as the learners had been able to identify some of the problems militating against the smooth running of their works and are seeking assistance from the government.
Some of the skill learners are also very poor to the extent that they could not get fund to start their own center or shops after they might have completed the learning.
The advent of Islam in Ebiraland was very late but it spread widely in a short period of time to the extent that most of the youths engage themselves in entrepreneurial skills acquisition activities today in the area of this study are Muslims. The Ebira Muslim youths are paying attention to self job creation through taking on one skills acquisition or the other. They are aware of the importance of self-employment and the freedom attached to it. Skills acquisition has reduced the rate of crime in Ebira society it has also reduced poverty among the youths although some of the youths still need to be encouraged and be made to realize the value of dignity of labour as a Muslim.
Islamic ethics such as: trust Amānah Justice Sincerity Ikhlaās, and Truthfulness Sidq that are tools for a successful Muslim entrepreneur in the area of skills acquisition among the youths in their dealings and execution of their works could not be verified, though, it is important to distinguish them from other youths so that they could secure the confidence and trust of their clients and reward from Allah.
The application of some of the Islamic windows in the area of entrepreneurship such: mudārabah, mushārakah and ijārah are yet to be introduced among the participants in skills acquisition in the area of study.
Funds to establish shops or centers after the completion of learning a skill remain one of the problems faced by the youths involving in skills acquisition and also no social organization or body is available in assisting and also encouraging those that are indifferent to the idea of entrepreneurship.
The well-to-do in the community are yet to show interest in participating in the area of skills acquisition and government involvement is also yet to felt in encouraging youths towards success in the area of job creation generally and in the area of entrepreneurial skill acquisition.
It is therefore, recommended that youths should be given encouragement on the issue of entrepreneur skills acquisition especially in the area of funding, the state and even the local governments should assist those that have established their centers for skills acquisition in other to appreciate their efforts and contributions to the economy of the state. Youth empowerment centre should be established at the local government levels to look into the areas they could be encouraged more for self employment.
The Islamic ethics such as: trust Amānah Justice Sincerity Ikhlaās, and Truthfulness Sidq that are tools for a successful Muslim entrepreneur in the area of skill acquisition among the youths in their dealings and execution of their works should be adopted to distinguish them from other youths so that they could secure the confidence and trust of their clients.
The application of some of the Islamic windows in the area of entrepreneurship such: muḍārabah, mushārakah and ijārah should be adopted to achieve the goal in skill acquisition among the youths in the area of study.
Fund should be provided for the youths to establish shops or centers after the completion of learning of their skills to establish themselves and also to encourage those that are indifferent to the idea of entrepreneurship.
The well-to-do in the community should show interest in participating in the area of skill acquisition and government also should involve in encouraging youths towards success in the area of job creation generally and in the area of entrepreneurial skill acquisition.
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