CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 Background of the study
Over the years, there has been a tremendous increase in the growth rate in the country averaging 7.4% according to the Nigerian economic report released in July, 2014 by the World Bank. Poverty remains significant in Nigeria. For a country with massive wealth and huge population to support commerce, a well-developed economy, and plenty natural resources such as raw material for making local crafts, the poverty level remains totally unacceptable.
Craft is the artistic practice of using hand and simple tools in making objects through the skillful manipulation of resources such as clay, wood, glass, textile, metals and leather. Craftsmanship on the other hand “is a form of production, a form of social organization and also a material basis of symbolism” (Andrea Rusu, 2011).
According to Oxford advanced learners dictionary, 2017, Poverty is seen as the quality or state of being poor. It is seen as a situation where there is deficiency of elements or resources that are needed or desired. In Akwa Ibom, there are 10 Local Governments in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District which include Ikot Ekpene, Essien Udim, Obot Akara, Abak, Ukanafun, Oruk Anam, Ini, Ikono and Ika. IkotEkpene to be precise is known as the raffia city. This city is known to have specialties in raffia processing and knitting, other areas of the senatorial district are known for one form of crafts or the other. For example, Ini has a specialty in molding aluminium pots/plates, Abak is known for local gin production (Kai Kai) and Ikot Ekpene is also good in wood carving. Due to the economic condition of the country, the indigenes of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District have been known for their various arts, crafts and industry. Now that the so called “white collar” jobs are no more there, the original economic base ought to be re-engineered to give the people of the area, not just sustainability, but a meaningful living.
It is however observed that individuals, in order to curb poverty, engages in one or more of these arts. The practice of any of these arts serves as a means of generating income to the public and government, creating employment opportunities and if properly utilized will serve as a means of foreign exchange earner to the government. The availability of these economic potentials provides good investment opportunity. It is therefore due to its relevance in reducing poverty that this study in undertaken to show how each of these arts and crafts in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District can be used to alleviate poverty.
1.1 Dimension of variables
Local crafts and industry (Independent variable) Poverty Alleviation
( Dependent variable)
1.Aluminium pots/plates molding Employment generation
2.Raffia processing and Knitting Income generation
3.Local gin production (Kai Kai) Income generation
4.Wood carving Foreign exchange earner to the government
1.2 Statement of the problem
In today’s world, the problem of increase in the level of poverty has been alarming. People are unable to afford basic necessities of life not because they don’t want to, but because the means of it is not available. Before now, our forefathers used to live on the production of local crafts and industries. The issue of problem of unemployment was not identified. Due to the advent of globalisation, what seemed like a peaceful human society now became a part of a wider society. Therefore, their general livelihood tend to change. To make them cope with this drifted world, it therefore calls for a general overhaul of their general way of life including arts and crafts to ensure their sustainability since the so called “white collar” jobs are no longer there due to population explosion. Meanwhile, the Nigerian market has been flooded with cheap finished products mainly sourced from China, making it difficult for local craft makers to compete, local craft makers also have to deal with imitation of their products by other producers, lack of capital and lack of electricity to improve efficiency are some of the problems affecting the production of local crafts and industries. Now, the question is, has local crafts/industries been given adequate attention in the fight against poverty in the area?
1.3 Objective of the Study
The purpose of the study was to find out how local crafts/ industries can be used to alleviate poverty. Specifically, the study sought to:
-To assess the impact of aluminium pots/plates molding practice as a means of generating employment in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.
-To examine the effect of raffia production on income generation in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.
To examine the relationship betweenlocal gin production and income generation in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.
To examine the relationship between wood carving and foreign exchange earning to the governmentof Nigeria.
