Niger Delta Youths' Views on Entrepreneurship Education for Combating Poverty and Unemployment Sylvanus Obidinma Ohakam
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Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2018 Niger Delta Youths' Views on Entrepreneurship Education for Combating Poverty and Unemployment Sylvanus Obidinma Ohakam. Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons, and the Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Management and Technology This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Sylvanus Obidinma Ohakam has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Daphne Halkias, Committee Chairperson, Management Faculty Dr. Godwin Igein, Committee Member, Management Faculty Dr. Kenneth Sherman, University Reviewer, Management Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2018 Abstract Niger Delta Youths’ Views on Entrepreneurship Education for Combating Poverty and Unemployment by Sylvanus Obidinma Ohakam MBA, University of North Texas, 2013 BBA, University of North Texas 2012 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management Walden University November 2018 Abstract Education policymakers in Nigeria lack the knowledge on the views of Niger Delta youths, who rely on entrepreneurship education and its contents to fight poverty and unemployment in their area. This study’s purpose was to gain deeper understanding of the views of Niger Delta youths on entrepreneurship education, its contents, and its role in fighting their area’s high rate of poverty and unemployment. This study was framed and guided by three key concepts that focus on the challenges of poor communities: youth unemployment in sub-Saharan Africa, entrepreneurship education, and youth entrepreneurship. To address this issue properly, a qualitative multiple-case study was designed. Data were collected from multiple sources: semi structured interviews, archival data from government labor reports , and the researcher’s field notes.Data analysis was completed through thematic and cross-case synthesis analysis. The findings showed that the Niger Delta is less privileged in financial availability, deepened in economic recessions under unemployment, poverty, inflation, hunger and starvations, with less chance of obtaining education, without qualification for employable white-collar jobs, neglected by the government of Nigeria, irrespective that Niger Delta region is the city of petroleum production that gives approximately 95% of Nigerian national revenue annually. With the adoption of entrepreneurship education in their school system and through training and skill acquisition, the Niger Delta would contribute to poverty alleviation, increased business career ownership, and meet the daily economic demands of their families, and be able to have a voice in social change. Social change can potentially be achieved through economic restoration and the enhancement of youths’ education and employment status, which in turn would help decrease the rate of poverty. Niger Delta Youths’ Views on Entrepreneurship Education for Fighting Poverty and Unemployment by Sylvanus Obidinma Ohakam MBA, University of North Texas, 2013 BBA, University of North Texas, 2012 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management Walden University November 2018 Dedication I humbly dedicate this dissertation to you LORD, in memory of my late father - Mr. Gabriel Ibedianra Ohakamnu Duruigbo, whose wish and prayers were to see me obtain the highest university degree (diploma) in my life time. Unfortunately, his wish did not come to pass before he was taken home by our LORD JESUS CHRIST. In the same manner, this same dedication also stands in memory of my late mother - Mrs. Regina Nwodoro Ohakamnu, who unfortunately did not live long on this sinful earth to watch her children grow up, and to witness today’s “dream come true”. My dear father and mother, you know that without you bringing me into this world, I wouldn’t be here today to celebrate this academic achievement. I am very proud of you. You will never be forgotten in my life. May your spirits continue to rejoice in eternity with our LORD JESUS CHRIST! Amen. Acknowledgments I give thanks to ALMIGHTY GOD whose grace and blessings have manifested upon my life today. Thank you Father; I bow to your Majesty LORD. Today, I give special thanks to Dr. Daphne Halkias, my wonderful and respectful dissertation Chairperson, who sacrificed her time, invested all her efforts and knowledge into guiding me in my academic steps; and gave all her supports in running this marathon race along with me, to make sure that I achieve my ultimate academic goal. Dr. Halkias, you know too well that without your efforts, supports, guidelines, patience and persistence, I wouldn’t be celebrating today. Through your humble contributions, patience and diligent, you have carefully led me into greatness. May the ALMIGHTY GOD richly bless you? Thank you for all you have done for me. You have made a great history in my life. My family and I will always remember you. I also thank Dr. Godwin Igein, my dissertation committee member who assisted Dr. Halkias in leading me into this great academic success today. Dr. Igein, may GOD bless you Sir. My thanks also go to Dr. Kenneth Sherman, the university research reviewer (URR) faculty member, who stood as a witness and in agreement, endorsed and certified that all my research works have been completed; thereby granting me all the rights and privileges to practice, and to retain all the benefits appertaining to this honorable academic degree. Thank you Dr. Sherman. In the same manner, I also thank Dr. Koko Umanah, who was the first to introduce and impart in me the foundation and the knowledge of writing dissertation. May the LORD richly bless you for the wonderful seed you sowed in me? I am truly very grateful. Thank you Sir. With great joy in my heart, I hereby express my gratitude to my beautiful, lovely, humble and wonderful wife - Mrs. Catherine Ifeoma Ohakamnu, for the countless supports she gave me during this academic long journey. My darling, you never relented in encouraging me, supporting and imparting strength and hope into me; more importantly, you constantly working extra hours at your job, just to provide for our family’s financial needs while I remained a student and unemployed. You humbly took charges of all our family’s financial needs, including all that were involved in my academic pursuits, without grudges. May the LORD continue to bless and grant you good health, longevity and all your heart’s desires in JESUS name; Amen. Finally, I thank all my children – Cynthia, Donald, Kasey, Miriam and Prince (Prince Charming), for their great supports and encouragements. Children, you guys have made me a proud father. Now it is my turn to reciprocate in the same manner. Thank you so much my beloved. I still call you kids because a child is always a child before his/her parents, regardless the age. I love you all. Now let us continue running the heavenly race in the LORD without distractions. Let us also remain in GOD’s love and grace; and continue worshipping Him faithfully. GOD’s blessings will never depart from you. Amen. Table of Contents List of Tables .............................................................................................................................. vi List of Figures ........................................................................................................................... viii Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study .............................................................................................1 Background of the Study ........................................................................................................2 Problem Statement ..................................................................................................................5 Purpose of the Study ...............................................................................................................6 Research Question ..................................................................................................................7 Conceptual Framework ...........................................................................................................7 Nature of the Study .................................................................................................................9 Definitions.............................................................................................................................12 Assumptions ..........................................................................................................................15 Scope and Delimitations .......................................................................................................16 Limitations ............................................................................................................................18