ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS TRAINING NEEDS IN BUSINESS EDUCATION FOR INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPS) IN BORNO STATE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The paper aimed at establishing the needs of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno state camps who were displaced in thousands from their homes by the self-acclaimed religious terrorist. Boko Haram a religious terrorist group, has destroyed properties, wasted lives and rendered many homeless. These homeless persons became refugees and internally displaced persons. These refugees are those who fled the shores of Nigeria to neighbouring countries while the internally displaced persons (IDPs) are those persons who are still within Nigeria. The North-eastern region of Nigeria is in a post-conflict situation after it has been devastated by terrorism occasioned by the insurgent activities of Boko Haram since 2009. Terrorism and insecurity arising from activities of Boko Haram have brought negative consequences on economic development of North-eastern region, Borno state in particular. The objective of the paper therefore is to link entrepreneurial skills training needs of IDPs in Borno state and sustainable development. The entrepreneurial skills training will build confidence and self-esteem, will improve IDPs’ occupational business, and entrepreneurship skills, helped them generate income to build a better life for their shattered families; and gave them hope and opportunities after experiencing war firsthand.The IDPs’ community, patterns are deconstructed and lifestyles may be changed; since there is no guarantee that IDPs problems will end soon entrepreneurial skills training are seen as perquisites for sustainable development for the IDPs in Borno state.  To accomplish this objective, the paper uses secondary data sourced from different literatures and research works. It recommends among others that, the government of Borno state through the host central agency of the IDPs in the camps – National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) should seek for admission for the IDPs that have gone through secondary education to enroll into the programme of business education. There should be entrepreneurial workshops and training to empower the youths, women and men IDPs and economic empowerment in terms of small loans. Local entrepreneurs should also actively support entrepreneurship development in order to reduce poverty, increase house hold incomes of the IDPs and sustainable development in the state.

Keywords: Boko-Haram, Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs), Entrepreneurial Skills Training and Sustainable Development