INTRODUCTION

The relationship between unemployment and entrepreneurship has been shrouded

with ambiguity. But literature from scholars and authors claims that higher levels
of entrepreneurship reduce unemployment. This paper therefore examined the need
for promoting employment in Nigeria through the development of
entrepreneurship. It relies mostly on secondary data from scholars/authors in the
field. Through this, conceptual analysis of unemployment and entrepreneurship
were discussed as well as ways of promoting entrepreneurship among Nigerian
youths/citizens. Roles of entrepreneurship in nation building and development are
crucial and vital. In other words, the Nigerian graduates of today can no longer rely
on the Nigerian labour market to provide him or her job. The paper therefore,
concludes that, government and its agencies should deliberately encourage
entrepreneurial culture and skill in Nigeria in order to attack and eventually reduce
the high level of unemployment situation in the country so that the nation will
boost its economic development.
An entrepreneur is an individual who, rather than working as an employee, runs a
small business and assumes all the risk and reward of a given business venture,
idea, or good or service offered for sale. The entrepreneur is commonly seen as a
business leader and innovator of new ideas and business processes.
* It is clear generally that unemployment is unacceptably high and that it is here to
stay except we do something about it. The Nigerian economy as it is presently run
does not have the capacity to absorb chains of thousands of unemployed youth. In
other words, the Nigerian graduates of today can no longer rely on the Nigerian
labour market to provide him or her job. He has to invent an alternative source of
employment which is self employment or entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is in
accordance with the Nigerias economic recovery programme objectives that
necessitated a radical shift from total dependence on government for white collar
job to self employment. An entrepreneur is a person that perceives business
opportunities, takes advantage of the scarce resources, bears the non-insurable
risks in his enterprise and directs the human and material resources in his business
objectives.
To qualify as an entrepreneur, it is not just sufficient to be a business man just
managing an enterprise. You are an originator of profitable business ideas. It is
against this background that I have chosen this very attractive area of self
employment called snail farming or heliciculture. It is one of the easiest and least
expensive types of farming that provides employment opportunities to all
categories of people and generates foreign revenue without you running from pillar
to post. Snails farming business are healthy, less risky, less expensive and
environmentally friendly.

Fisheries resources represent the foci of the livelihood activities in the Niger Delta
region of Nigeria. Fishing supplied more than 87% of the animal protein and more
than 90% of coastal communities depend solely on fishing and fisheries related
activities for their survival. Recognizing its huge potential for contributing to food
security and nutrition, major role in the economies of developing countries as a
basic source of local and foreign income, employment opportunities and enhancing
socio- economic status of the Niger Delta government and non-governmental
organization threw their weight behind the success of fisheries industry. Despite
the natural features suitable for massive development of culture and Inland
fisheries, the undulating topography with its large number of small perennial
streams, creeks, substantial rainfall and vast mangrove/freshwater swamp provide
ample scope for the construction of fish ponds of various sizes.
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The importance of the development of entrepreneurial skills by every graduate
cannot be over-emphasized because gone are the days when jobs were available
everywhere both in the private and public sectors of the economy and employers
go about looking for potential employees to employ. Indeed, in the past, it is the
employers who go round universities and polytechnics to hunt for potential
graduates for employment. Then there were fewer universities and polytechnics
and the enrolment was also low then. But today, things have changed to the extent
that many graduates of tertiary institutions are now sellers of recharge cards or
work as bus conductors. What a tragedy and economic waste!
This however calls for entrepreneurship. Thus Ive taken this bold step to initiate a
business plan in fish farming. The study was designed to determine the feasibility
of fish farming in Angiama-gbene in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area,
Bayelsa State, Nigeria and to assess the impacts of entrepreneurship on the people
therein.
BRIEF HISTORY OF FISH FARMING
Fish farming is an ancient practice that had been used for food purposes for
centuries. Australian,
African and Asian regions were the historical fish breeding centers since 6000 BC.
The concept of inland aquaculture away from the seacoast and big rivers was
widely practiced in central Europe during the middle ages. Inland fish farming was
started on commercial basis in 18
th
century. Seth Green was the first to practice
commercial inland fish farming in 1864 at Caledonia (USA). It laid down the
foundation of commercial fish farming and people has started practicing it in other
countries like UK and Canada. During 19th century improvement in transportation
made fish farming more convenient and profitable business by targeting the
adjoining market of the inland fish farming zone.
VISION AND MISSION FOR THE BUSINESS IDEA
Vision of the business:
To contribute my quota to reduce graduate unemployment in Nigeria by engaging
in this viable business of fish farming.
To reveal the idea of fish farming in Nigeria as great income opportunities and to
show people on how to prosper through it despite the economy.
To direct employees on how to augment their income without affecting their
present job.
To let people know that Nigeria is greatly blessed with resources yet unexplored
and to reveal the economic importance, nutritional composition and medicinal
values of snails.
To promote and encourage bilateral relation between Nigeria and other countries
by way of trade.
To reduce financial crises in our society and encourage sole trader business
through example and practice.
To improve the standard of living of people through the provision of high protein,
low fattening food that provides high range of health benefits.
To enlighten retirees, young school leavers, inventors, traders, local dwellers,
applicants, NGOs and workers who need extra income to augment their merge
salary.
Mission of the business:
A desire for the glamour attached to entrepreneurship.
A strong desire for self-employment
A desire for responsibility and independence (i.e.; financial independence).
A high need for achievement and success through personal innovation and
speculation.
5. A yearning desire to fulfill the needs of others.
7. A desire to contribute my quota to the stimulation of Nigerias economic
growth.
9. A desire to equitably distribute the fish product to places of needs for
consumption
10. Running a business provides endless challenge and opportunity for learning.
11. A desire to be a creator and master of my fortunes i.e., by deciding my own
work programmes, work hours, what to produce, when to produce and for whom to
produce. In order word, a desire to be the sole arbiter of my fitness to establish and
run a business
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Business Idea: The business idea was the setting up of a 200 capacity snail farm
business in Gure town, Bori City, Rivers State. The snail farm was located at Koro
Farm Garden (KFG) in Gure Community while the business office was 34 mayor
streets, Bori in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.