Introduction: It has been argued and correctly too that the
prevailing economic situations in the world today requires people who possess
special qualities like charisma, innovative-ness, authority leadership and power
to invent, drive, improve and sustain business activities.
Again, the society desires special
individuals who are capable and willing to drive through change strategically
and tactically too.
If the society parades a good number
of these specialized individuals, there is no doubt that there will
organizational transformation and change management in the face of crises,
chaos, hunger, marginalization and unemployment in the society. The driving
force for entrepreneurial development is the fact that paid job or salaried
jobs are very scarce and hardly come by. It is on the account of this, that
everybody should endeavour to embrace the current waves of entrepreneurship development
drive in the country.
The
Concept of Entrepreneurship: The concept of entrepreneurship dates back to
the 15th century, when great economists like Adams Smith Richard
cantitllon and others where greatly concerned with discussions the factors of
productions including entrepreneur and entrepreneurship though at the micro
level as compared to what is obtainable today.
This is because, the concept of
entrepreneurship has permeated other disciples like management sciences and
engineering etc.
Entrepreneurship
is therefore, the process of creating something new with value by devoting the
necessary time and efforts assuming the accompanying financial psychic and
social risks and receiving the resulting rewards of money and personal
satisfaction and independence –Dollinger in Udu et al (2008:10).
It is also perceived as the creating
of an innovative economic organization for the purpose of gain or growth under
condition of risk and uncertainty.
Again, it is the process of using available capital in
any form of business endeavous in an open and free market economy for the sole
purpose of making profits.
WHO THEN IS
AN ENTREPRENEUR?
An entrepreneur is a person who has a vision and acts
as a boss with daring originality.
An entrepreneur is also one who brings resources such
as money, materials as well as labour together in new business, productive
process or improved organization to ensure business success by perhaps creating
something new.
Entrepreneur is one who has the ability to see and
evaluate business opportunities, gather the necessary resources to take
advantage of them and initiate appropriate actions to ensure success.
An entrepreneur is also someone who found his business
from scratch and nurse it into lusty verities.
Intrapreneur is that individual in an organization who
has the capabilities of ensuring that the creative energies of the
entrepreneurs are not easily terminated.
An intrepreneur is that person who takes over
management of a business venture after the founder retires, dies or sells out
the business.
Those who due to acquisition of formal education,
exposure, technical skills etc help to reengineer and position their
organization better.
Unemployment: - A situation where somebody has the skills,
abilities and willingness to work but there is no gainful employment or job.
Characteristics
Of An Entrepreneurs
i.
Boldness
ii.
Courage
iii.
innovativeness (introducing
something new)
iv.
Creativity
–original ideas
v.
Resourcefulness
vi.
Risk taking (risk
bearer)
vii.
Adventuristic
viii.
Industrious
ix.
Imitation
SKILLS
Entrepreneurs should possess distinctive skills such
as:
i.
Conceptual
skill: The ability to think things through even in abstraction. Changing
ideas and vision into reality.
ii.
Analytical skill:- The ability of one to survey key variables in the abstrad ideas
generated and the interrelationship.
iii.
Technical Skills:- The ability to apply specific knowledge, interest and passion eg
writing listening, coaching etc.
iv.
Human relations skill: The ability of the entrepreneurs to communicate
understand, motivate and relate harmoniously with others.
v.
Managerial Skill:- This has to do with the ability to start, develops and mange and
enterprises eg planning, organizing, controlling, coordinating staffing,
evaluating, directing etc.
vi.
Communication Skill:- This is the ability to deploy right choice of good words.
vii.
Financial skill:-
The ability to maintain financial prudence accountability, transparency and
probity.
ROLE OF ENTREPRENEURS IN YOUTH
EMPLOYMENT
1.
Bridging the gap
between science and market place.
2.
Creation of new
technology
3.
Creation of new
enterprise
4.
Creation of job
opportunities
5.
Creating of
resources for large firms
6.
Structural change
in business and society. (Agents of change).
RECOMMENDATIONS:
An
idle man they say is the devil’s workshop.Again, there is a dictum that,there
is no food for a lazy man.Therefore, the following recommendations are made. The
youths should engage themselves meaningfully in the school, trade, handiwork or
even farm work etc.
Governments
at all level should float policies and programmes that will accommodate the
youths.
Communities
and town unions should equally introduce farm settlement programmes for the
youth.
The
church on her own part should redouble her efforts in preaching against the
youth staying idle.
Finally,
parents should not allow any of their children or wards roaming about or
indulging in anti-social activities.
A PAPER PRESENTED TO THE CATHOLIC YOUTH
ORGANIZATION OF NIGERIA CYON St. NATHY’S PARISH ISHIEKE ON THURSDAY 16TH
AUGUST, 2013 DURING THEIR YOUTH WEEK.
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
EBONYI STATE UNIVERSITY