CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background to the Study

There is no gain saying that poverty crisis in Nigeria has passed an alarming stage and has

entered a catastrophic stage. Such a worsening endemic situation which impinges on the national

development calls for a deep concern as it has a deep consequence. Nigeria being classified as

one of the world’s poorest countries in a UNDP report (World Development Report, 2013)

attests to the above assertion. To some, such a revelation is perceived as a „painful irony‟ while

to some it is never a surprise as Nigeria has not learnt to develop and utilize her human resources

towards the national development. Those who saw the revelation as an irony could not see how

Nigeria could be classified as being poor while it has plenty resources. To them the irony is

„poverty‟ in the midst of „plenty‟ (Aliyu, 2018). This is possible because the amount of the

development of any country starts with the human development through the role of human

resource.

The issue of poverty alleviation through a system of human development is therefore, a matter of

universal concern. According to the World Bank Report, Nigeria and its citizens will benefit

immensely from the interventionist programmes of the Bank especially in the areas of poverty

alleviation and human capacity building. According to Stern (2010), the World Bank is among

the World‟s largest sources of development assistance. In his opinion, the World Bank uses its

huge financial resources, highly trained staff, as well as extensive networks and knowledge base

to individually help each country into a path of stable, sustainable and equitable growth. Stern

further posited that the Bank‟s main focus is on the following: (Olisa and Obiukwu, 2012)

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Nigeria is not supposed to be poor considering her rich agricultural land, enormous mineral and

water resources as well as good climate endowment. UNDP report therefore, brought a challenge

to the Nigerian economic managers not only to tackle poverty but also to develop mechanism to

eradicate completely, conditions of absolute poverty. In response to the above challenge, in

1999, the new administration under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo sought to address the poverty with

the inauguration of the civil rule. To this end, a policy known as Poverty Alleviation Programme

(PAP) was put in place (Akinjide, 2016). Realizing the enormity of the poverty problem which

can not be tackled randomly by various government ministries, the National Poverty Eradication

Programme (NAPEP) was set up as an agency charged with tackling the poverty problem with a

mandate to eradicate conditions of absolute poverty. This programme (NAPEP) was established

in 2001 by the Federal Government of Nigeria (Akinjide, 2016).

Leather making is an ancient art that has been practiced for more than 7,000 years.3 Primitive

man dried fresh skins in the sun, softened them by pounding in animal fats and brains, and

preserved them by salting and smoking. Beginning with simple drying and curing techniques, the

process of vegetable tanning was developed by the Egyptians and Hebrews about 400 BC

(Charisman, 2017). During the Middle Ages the Arabs preserved the art of leather making and so

improved it that morocco and cordovan (from Córdoba, Spain) became highly prized leathers.

By the 15th century, leather tanning was once more widespread in Europe, and, by the mid-19th

century, power-driven machines that performed such operations as splitting, fleshing, and

dehairing were introduced. Toward the end of the 19th century, chemical tannage—in particular,

the use of chrome salts was introduced (Charmak, 2015).

This study is therefore, posed with the vocational skills on the production of leather articles

which will serve has tools for poverty alleviation which when achieved will bring about the

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eradication of conditions of absolute poverty through the vocational skills acquire in leather

article production.

1.2 Statement of problem

Poverty has been identified by many Authors (e.g. Olisa and Obiukwu, 2012; Ijere, 2012;

Charisman, 2017; Aliyu, 2018) as the main area of concern that has to be looked into if the

nation is to get out of its economic and political predicament. Many policies and programmes

meant to eradicate or alleviate poverty, especially in rural areas have not been successful due to

corruption, inadequate finances, poor planning, and poor administration of the programmes as

well as lack of political will. Government effort at reaching out to the rural communities and

providing the enabling environment that would make them acquire vocational skills so as to

supplement their incomes have been abysmal. This study is therefore undertaken to encourage

the need for the production of leather articles as tool for poverty alleviation.

1.3 Main objectives of the study

The general objective of the study is to understand the vocational skill on the production of

leather articles as tools for poverty alleviation.

Specific Objectives are to:

1. to produce travelling bag using leather materials.

2. to produce lady’s purse using leather materials

3. to asses people’s acceptability of the produced leather bag and purse.

1.5 Significance of the study

This study will be more beneficial to the youth and other unemployed for vocational tools and

can serves as entrepreneurial skills for them.

1.6 Definition of terms

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Vocational skill:

Poverty: Poverty is a multidimensional concept that seeks to measure levels of deprivation

encountered by a person, household or community.Although most of the literature focuses on

indicators of deprivation such as income, food, access to housing and so on, the choice of

indicators to measure levels of deprivation can often be arbitrary and hence may not reflect a

full-scale measure of unmet basic needs in different social contexts.

Durable: It means things that can uses longer or things that have longer life span (Durability)

Scissors: It is used for cutting and straightens leather

Affordable:’ not expensive, that can be afforded, believed to be within one’s financial.

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 CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature review

2.1 Historical background of leather (hide/skin) in Nigeria

The art of leather work has long history in Nigeria and the world in general. It can be traced back

to the beginning of civilization. Leather has been in use since the existence of early man. It is in

the second form of clothing in the history of man’s effort towards concealing and decoration of

various parts or of the whole body. It was second to leaves (in various manifestations) (Sancho,

2016).

In the past, the Arabs used to come and buy skins from the northern part of Nigeria and export

them to Europe.*the world famous morocco grain leather were actually leathers outlined from

the red goatskins from northern Nigeria and exported to Europe. European explorers (such as

Clapperton and Barth) assert to this fact. Clapperton who visited Kano some decades later,

commented that the dyeing of tanned goats’ skins red and yellow was the principal manufacture

of the city. In the same vein, another European traveler or explorer Barth noted during his visit to

the city that leather industry was the most celebrated branch of manufacture in Kano (Okoye,

2014).

It is worth knowing that as far back as 900 B.C objects of leather were found during the

excavation of Egyptian graves. According to research, the Yorubas, the Kukawas and the

Gogobiris are descendants of Lammoha (Mimrod) who was said to have migrated from Egypt.

From this assertion, it is obvious that the art of leather manufacture came to Nigeria long time

ago (Olayeme, 2015).

Today, leather work has attained a higher level of artistic and technical competence among

Nigerians. In the past, large quantity of famous Morocco leather was exported to the

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Mediterranean world from northern Nigeria through trade. Professional leather workers in these

areas have formed themselves into cooperative societies, while the establishment of Sokotan and

Bawan Jalla factories in Sokoto, and a Leather Research Institute in Zaria seem to prove the

importance which Nigerian government attaches to this craft However, the industry relies

heavily on personal resources of the owners although other sources of investment assistance are

generally negligible and by the same token the level of capitalization is also small in relative

terms (Ekpo, 2012).

Skill formation of this industry was mostly through apprentice whereby young persons are

attached to master craftsmen. During this period of informal training, the apprentices learned the

various processes of leather in all their ramifications. Thus knowledge of certain skills and

chemical combinations are acquired. However, in many instances certain techniques and

methods of production are kept secret and this tendency persists even today perhaps for the

purpose of monopolizing specific markets. The process of learning of doing through imitation

takes a very long time, but in the final analysis the learner emerges as an all-round manufacturer

(Narayarm, 2012).

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2.2 Leather Processes

Schematic Diagram of Leather Processing: A schematic requirements of the processes

involved in the manufacture of leather in the tourney is here under presented:-

RAW HIDES AND SKINS

SOAKING

LIMING

FLESHING

DELIMING

BATING

PICKLING

TANNAGE

SAMM/SETTING-OUT

WET BLUE SELECTION

SHAVING

RETANNING/ DYEING

SETTING OUT/VACUUM/ HAND DRYING

CRUST SELECTION

FINISHING

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2.3 The Concept of Poverty

Just like many other concepts in social sciences, there is no universally accepted definition of

poverty as a social phenomenon in spite of its universality and significance. Writing on the

concept of poverty, Okoye (2014) pointed out that attempt by scholars to delineate the basic

indices of the concept often lead to technical as well as ideological debates. To her, poverty as a

concept is culture sensitive in that people from the various ethno-cultural groups in Nigeria for

instance would give different characteristics of who is poor within them. What may be regarded

as poverty in one culture may not be poverty in another culture. The above assertions do not

suggest, therefore, that there are no definitions of the concept. On the contrary, many have

attempted poverty definition. For instance, Sancho (2016) classified poverty as “those who are

unable to obtain an adequate income, find a stable job, own property or maintain healthy

conditions and cannot satisfy their basic needs”. Olayeme (2015) in Okoye (2014), posited that

the poor are those who have no or limited access to basic necessities of life such as food,

clothing, decent shelter, lack skills and gainful employment. Okoye (2014), quoting Aluko

(2015) defined poverty as lack of command over basic consumption needs.

In his own contribution to the definition of poverty Ekpo (2012) opined that poverty is a

condition of living whereby income and consumption are excruciatingly low and one’s general

existence is riddled with „diseases, illiteracy, malnutrition and squalor‟ to the extent that the

realization of one’s potentials could be seriously imperiled. The above definition is a

corroboration of Narayarm (2012) who asserted that „…poverty is a situation of inadequate

income, malnutrition, lack of access to social services, lack of esteem…‟. It therefore follows

that poverty could exist as a result of inaccessibility to certain goals or amenities required to

make life more meaningful. Poverty could also take the form of psychological and socio-political

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deficiencies. According to Onah (2016) poverty is an endemic affecting majority of the people in

the world which in turn „has become an issue of global interest‟. Going further, Onah (2016),

opined that p9overty could be viewed as a subjective and moral term. For some it is moral and

evaluative, and for others it is scientifically established.

Poverty in the view of Central Bank of Nigeria is a state where one is unable of caters for the

basic needs of life-food, clothing, shelter and social and economic infrastructure. It also include

the inability to meet social and economic obligations such as gainful employment, skills, assets,

self esteem and limited chance of advancing his or her welfare to the limit of his or her

capabilities. Further studies also show that poverty could be experienced in terms of a wide range

of non-material and intangible qualities such as insecurity, lack of dignity and status and denial

of opportunities. In line with the above position Oguchi (2011) asserts that poverty is a state of

deprivation ranging from infant mortality, low life expectancy, and low educational opportunities

to a “lack of active participation in the decision-making process”. The non-material aspects of

poverty further manifest itself in one’s incapability to participate fully in the political process or

other socio-cultural activities of one’s community. Poverty in this sense simply means

powerlessness (Nuhu 2010). Onibokun and Kumuyi (2016) in Onah (2016) defined poverty as “a

way of life characterize by low calorie intake, in accessibility to adequate health facilities, low

quality of education low life expectancy, high infant mortality, low income, unemployment and

under employment, and inaccessibility to various housing and social facilities. According to

Sancho (2016) in Onah (2016), the poor are the most valuable and lack resources, capacity to

organize themselves and unable to exercise the right to protect their situation. The poor are those

who are deprived, unable and lack resources to acquire basic needs of life. They are structurally

placed to be dependent. Poverty denies its victims the basic needs to meet their social, economic

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and political obligations in the society. Poverty as a concept ahs multi-dimensional meaning.

Ekot (2010) asserts: poverty is a concept of an individual or family to command sufficient

resources to satisfy their basic needs” (Fields 2014). According to Ekong (2011), poverty is

one‟s general inability to attain or enjoy given social cultural or economic benefits. Sen. (2017)

sees poverty as the lack of certain capabilities such as being able to participate with dignity in

society‟. Poverty is the deprivation of elements necessary for human survival. These elements

include clean water, food, shelter, health, and self-dignity. Deprivation of self dignity is simply

the finial of individual liberty, natural rights, political liberty, civil liberty and property.

In the view of Engelama and Bamidele (2017) poverty is a state of individual no being able to

cater adequately for his/her basic needs of food, clothing and shelter, meeting social and

economic objectives, lacks gainful employment, skill asset and self esteem, education, health,

portable water and sanitation, which reduces the limit of his/her capability. Onah, (2016) is of the

view that poverty is not only the inability of individual to afford the above basic needs of life,

but reduces the strength and prestige of such individual to participate in any given activity in the

society. According to Ekpo (2013), poverty is a situation whereby income and consumption are

low. For Obadan (2017), those who are poor are those whose standard of living are measured in

terms of income or consumption and are below the poverty line, which separates the poor from

the rich. Poverty is the lack of physical necessities, assets and income. It is a general condition of

deprivation which comprises poverty itself, social inferiority, isolation, physical weakness,

vulnerability, powerlessness and humiliation (Chambers 2015). The poor earn below the

international measurement of one US Dollar per day (World Bank 2016), which affects their

purchasing power to acquire their basic needs. Based on the foregoing, Achor, (2011) asserts that

the poor lack cash income that is sufficient to cover their minimum standard of living. On the

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other hand, the literature explains that poverty is not only a situation of poor standard of living,

but also a state of severe deprivation in the society. Onah, (2016) finally defined poverty as a

state of deprivation of basic elements necessary for human survival in the society. Such basic

elements include clean water, good shelter, health facilities, good food, clothing, education,

economic empowerment, natural rights, political liberty, civil liberty, property right and right to

good governance. In a situation where these elements are farfetched, the society is left with

nothing than poverty and underdevelopment. Succinctly, the researcher will define poverty as a

state of depravity.

2.4 Typology of Poverty

From the definitions of poverty, one can sieve out a number of different types of poverty.

According to Onah (2016), different types of poverty exist at different times and stages in

different parts of Nigeria, based on the socio-cultural, economic and political environment. The

dividing line between types of poverty is however, thin because of overlapping factors,

sometimes it is the prefixing adjective that makes the differences but the need to classify poverty

for whatever value is still founded. Some of the types of poverty: according to Onah (2016) are:

Absolute Poverty Relative Poverty Subjective Poverty Dire Poverty Subsistence Poverty Socio-

Cultural Poverty Urban Poverty and Endemic Poverty

2.4.1 Absolute Poverty

Absolute poverty according to Onah (2016), is a kind of poverty in which the poor are severely

deprived of basic needs of life. Onah, citing Haralambos and Heald (2011) views absolute

poverty as the situation where the poor live below the poverty line. It is a state of not having

enough resources for basic needs of life such as good health, cloths, shelter, good water and food

etc. according to Onah, this type is prevalent in Nigeria where the poor are unable to afford the

11
required resources to acquire the elements necessary to sustain life and health. World Bank

(2016) report shows that the greater percent of Nigerians are living below the universal poverty

line of 1 US $ per day, which makes life meaningless to the poor. Majority of Nigerians are

unable to afford the required resources to acquire elements necessary to sustain life. One

balanced meal out of the three required per day seems a difficult task. Stressing the state of

absolute poverty in Nigeria, Onah (2016) asserts:

“Today, many Nigerians struggle for shelters that are not even worthy of

accommodating domestic animals. They have turned under the bridges and

watersides better alternative shelter in absence of any. Good health care is now a

strange issue to majority of Nigerians, due to their inability to afford the resources

for it. The high unemployment rate has worsened the matter, eve those who are

working, due to the inflationary trend, suffer a lot of inadequacies. Indeed, this

type of poverty has eroded the dignity of Nigerians and increased dependency.

2.4.2 Relative Poverty

As the name suggests, this type of poverty can be regarded as a poverty below the standard of

living but not absolute. Onah (2016) quoting Townsend (2014) in Haralambos and Heald (2011)

sees this type of poverty as a situation where: Individual families and groups in the population

can be said to be in poverty when they lack the resources to obtain the types of diets, participate

in the activities which are approved in the society to which they belong. Their resources are

below those commanded by the average individual or family that they are, in effect, excluded

from ordinary ling patterns, customs and activities. In his own opinion, the socio-economic

inequality in Nigeria has induced relative poverty, this in turn results to the creation of different

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classes of people (the rich, middle ad poor) in the country. Poverty under relative category is a

measure based on conventional standard of living in the society (Onah 2016).

2.4.3 Subjective Poverty

Circumstance plays major role in this type of poverty. People graduate into it based on the

available circumstance and perception of the individual. It arises due to shift or reduction in

income and status from a particular level of the other (Onah 2016) here individual’s subjection to

poverty is the product of circumstance.

2.4.4 Dire Poverty

As circumstance is the brain behind the subjective poverty, rich people are responsible for dire

poverty. Dire poverty in Nigeria instead of reducing is on the increase. Onah (2016) asserts that

it is about the inability to afford good portable water for drinking, inadequate food and shelter

due to the activities of the rich who have taken over the control of the state resources. The

researcher prefers to refer to this as man-made poverty.

2.4.5 Subsistence Poverty

This is a situation where some amenities are available while others are lacking commenting on

subsistence poverty, Onah (2016) wrote: „This poverty is common among the villagers.

Sometimes they could have access to safe water, adequate food, good shelter, based on their

level, but poor because they lack resources to maintain other sectors such as good health, access

to good education, social amenities e.t.c. The consequence is constant rural-urban migration in

search of resources to maintain other sectors‟.

2.4.6 Socio-Cultural Poverty

Culture plays a great role in this type of poverty. According to Onah (2016), poverty at this level

is influenced by the activities of the culture of the people. In some areas, there is gender disparity

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in education opportunity eg Hausa/Fulani communities. Here females are not given equal

education opportunity like their male counterparts. This deprivation leads to poverty on the side

of the women as those that do not attain some level of education cannot be gainfully employed in

Nigeria. In other areas such as Ibibio and Ikwerre tribes of Akwa Ibom and Rivers State

respectively, first sons before now according to Onah (2016) were not given equal opportunities

like other children in terms of formal education. They are rather preferred to be farmers to enable

them be good custodians of their father’s farm lands… Culturally driven discrimination of

various dimensions against women observable all over Nigeria also leads to this variant of

poverty. Some cultures allow any means of becoming rich (eg ritual killings provided you are not

caught in the act) while some culture would not recognize anybody whose source of income is

not clear as rich. Such ones cannot be given any responsibility in such a society.

2.4.7 Urban Poverty

Summarizing this, Onah (2016) posited:

The poverty at this level is common and associated with the urban areas. Poverty exists due to

the absence or inadequate presence of the required basic needs of life in the urban area. In this

case, there could be shelter, portable water good food e.t.c but these are inadequate due to level

of demands. The high demand after the few supply results to high cost of living in the area,

thereby making the low income earners to suffer miserably in the urban areas. This result in

forcing people to seek for accommodation in urban slums, ghettos and under flyovers, eating

unbalanced diet e.t.c Urban poverty is usually caused by high rural-urban migration. If the

problem of urban poverty is to be addressed, it should start by resolving the problem of rural

areas at least curtail if not control migration.

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2.4.8 Endemic Poverty

Poor nutrition and health as well as low productivity and low income account for endemic type

of poverty. Many Nigerians today suffer from endemic poverty. The productivity and income of

many individuals are low. Since their income is low, they lack sufficient resources to afford

adequate food, good health and shelter, (Onah 2016). Poverty afflicts people in various levels

and depth and at different phases of existence. No nation or society is absolutely free from

poverty and its attendant effects. What matters however, is the intensity and prevalence, that is,

the level of poverty within a given ratio of the population, as seen above, some poverty are man-

made and as such can be avoided. All hands therefore, must be on deck to fight to reduce if not

remove poverty from the land. Poverty though not a curse, may bring about curses.

2.5 Poverty Alleviation/Programme:

Notwithstanding that Nigeria is the largest exporter of crude petroleum in Africa; she is ranked

among the poorest counties in the world. It has been reported that Nigeria has the income per

capital of less than US $500. According to the report on Nigeria Poverty Assessment (2017), one

out of every five Nigerian children dies before his or her fifth birthday, while one out of every

three is malnourished. Only 64 percent of school age boys and 57 percent of girls attend primary

school. There are large income and geographical differences in health and education outcomes,

with North consistently faring worse than the South. Report by the World Bank Journal Reich

(2013), corroborating the above report by the Nigerian Poverty Assessment stated that over 1.1

billion people live in abject poverty. Of these, 16.1 percent live in sub-Saharan Africa. The

report further stresses that there has been progress in the reduction of poverty Worldwide except

in Africa where the level of poverty is projected to increase from about 48 percent from 2000

and beyond. The eradication of poverty at a global level should be the central objective of all the

15
governments, the United Nations, the World Bank, IMF and other related International

Development agencies and partners inclusive. However, (Tadoro 2012) states that eradicating

poverty has become a debilitating problem whose solution is both elusive and intractable.

While referring to Nigerian poverty situation Maduagrou (2019) asserts that the „inflow of

foreign investments cannot materialize in an environment of political and economic instability‟.

Contributing to the poverty alleviation in Nigeria, he opines „as at now all that the government

has as economic policy for the poverty alleviation are loot recovery‟. Despite the above

threatening situation, the Nigerian government feels compelled to vigorously pursue poverty

alleviation measures as a prelude to the greater goals of total eradication. In the light of the above

challenge, all past and present Nigerian civilian and military governments have initiated one

programme or the other to fight poverty. A global consensus has emerged on the need to

alleviate human suffering brought about by poverty and achieve reasonable growth among

countries of the world (Aribisala 2012). Olayinola (2019) is of the view that conscious efforts

must be made to involve the communities who are the target beneficiaries of such programmes

while designing development programmes with the aim of alleviating the plight of the poor.

Again, knowledge of local peculiarities must be considered for adequate community

participation in the development process.

To alleviate poverty, certain measures should be taken. It is in this direction that the World Bank

outlined six basic principles which should form the framework for effective action at alleviating

poverty in the third world countries:

a) Poverty reduction must be at the heart of any economic and social development strategy.

b) The political will and commitment by government towards poverty alleviation must be backed

up by economic actions.

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c) The improvement of human capital should be part of the programme

d) The design and implementation of efforts must be guided by the needs of the poor as

identified by them.

e) Poverty alleviation should be targeted at the women because they are more vulnerable to

social and economic burdens.

f) Poverty alleviation must be viewed as an environmental issue since it engenders resource

degradation and other forms of impoverishment.

It is no doubt that the rat of development in Nigeria could have been higher if human resource of

the nation is properly co-ordinate and managed. According to Naraya (2010), the improper

management of direction in our development efforts have accounted for the lack of success in

our poverty alleviation efforts.

Colonial inheritance is another problem besetting poverty alleviation efforts in Nigeria.

Contributing to poverty alleviation problem and programmes, Nwosu (2015) laments that instead

of radical break away from colonial structures; the post-independence political leadership

maintained the status-quo with even greater enthusiasm than its original formulators. The

economic marginalization of the colonial master and the sustenance of this same abnormality by

the indigenous rulers has a direction relation to the present pattern of development in Nigeria.

This has increased rather than reduce poverty in Nigeria.

Following the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) in 1986, several direct poverty

intervention measures were implemented ostensibly to alleviate the erosion of purchasing power

and well-being which intensified with the SAP. Continuing, the National Bureau of Statistic

(NBS) in collaboration with the World Bank 2017 report wrote that many of the interventions

were no doubt well-intended, but suffered certain drawbacks which inhibited their overall impact

17
on the poverty situation in the country. Some of the programmes lacked targets while others had

extremely ambitious ones. For many, strategies were neither clear-cut nor took account of

technical capacity and budgetary limitations. Limited (or failure to enlist) participation of the

targeted beneficiaries in planning and implementation processes estranged some of the

interventions. Since some of the intervention programmes lacked focus, they ventured into too

many activities and became unsustainable.

2.6 History of Bags

According to (farid chenoune 200) defined bag known regionally as a sack, is a common tools in

the form of a non rigid container. The use of bags predates recorded history with earliest bags

being no more than lengths of Animal skin, cotton, or woven plant fibres, folded up at the edges

and secured in that shape with strings of the same material. Despite their simplicity, bags have

been fundamental for the development of human civilization, as they allows people to easily

collect loose materials such as berries of food grains, and to transport more items than could

readily be carried on the hand.

Bags have been around for ‘hundreds of years and have prevalent as far back as ancient Egypt

many in eroglyphs depit males with bags tied around their waist. The Bible mentions pouches

especially judas is cariot. Carrying one around, holding his personal item.

In the 14thcentury, pick poket and thieves, many people used dristring bags in which to carry

their money. These bags were attached to “gridles” via long cord fastened to the waist, women

also were more ornate drawstring bags, typically called homondeys or tasques, to display their

social status.

The 14th country handbags evolved into wedding gifts from groom to bride. These medieval

pouches were embroidered, often with depictions of love stories or songs. Eventually these

18
pouches evolved into what is known as a charieries, which were used for gaining or food for

falcons.

During the Renaissance, Elizabeth an England fashions was more ornate than ever before.

Women’s wore their pouches under nealth the vast of pelt, coats and men wore leather pockets or

bagges inside their breeches. Aristocrats began carring swell bagges filled with sweet smelling

materials to make up.

2.7 Types of bags

(a) Antistatic bag; used for shipping electronic components.

(b) Athletic bag; a soft, roomy bay used to carring sporting equipment and appared to the

gym.

(c) Bag for men; here is a complete list of different types of man bags from back packs and

should erbags.

(d) Back pack; a bag that is supported by the shoulders with double handles and lies across

the back.

(e) Baguette bag; a purse that is relatively long from side to side and small from top to

bottom, basically a little like a bag vette with a handle.

(f) Bowling Bag; A bag originally made to hold a bowling ball, this has become a fashion

item.

(g) Bucket bag; roomy bag shaped like a bucket usually has an open top and shoulder strap

(h) Clutch bag; small but long bag (rectangular) evening bag without a handle. You have to

clutch it.

(i) Cosmetic Case; bags of varying sizes and shapes with a zip closure lined to hold

cosmetics.

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(j) Doctor’s bag; A traditional doctor’s bag is a differ shaped leather satched used primarily

to carry small medical necessities when making house calls. The classic doctor’s bag is

flat bottomed with rounded sides, slightly elongated. Two large handles came together

over the top for easy carrying.

(k) Duffel bag; A large bag usually used for travel or sports, the name comes from Duffel, a

town on Belgium where the thick cloth used to make the bag originated. Duffel bags are

often used by sailors and are sometimes called sea bags in this capacity.

(l) Envelope Bag; a flat square or rectangular bags with a triangle shaped top flap that fold

over like an envelope.

(m) Feed bag; bag that is used to feed an animal (such as a horse) covers the muzzle and

fastens at the top of the head.

(n) Weekend bag; A bag of a size to carry clothing and personal articles for a weekend trip

2.8 The concept of Vocational education/skill

Vocational education/skill and technical education are used interchangeably (Kpanja 2013)

because to many, the line of distinction is rather blurred. The British Ministry of Overseas

Development Report (HMS. 2000) contends that “Technical Education” is a descriptive term,

which embraces the field of vocationally oriented education. Roberts (2011) opined that

vocational skill type of education is concerned with learning to work, a view supported by Cote

(2010). Risher (2013) and Kpanja (2013) further define vocational skill as the education, which

addresses itself primarily to the performance aspect of work’s role. Olaitan (2015) conceives of

vocational skill as a highly useful education as its occupational content is such that the trainee

acquires skills, attitudes, interest and knowledge to perform socially and economically scientific

knowledge. This view is supported by Denga (2013) and Osuala (2015) in Udo et al. (2011).

20
Osagie (2011) contends that by and large, the education that produces technician is technical

education while vocational skill is all embracing since it prepares its recipient for a living. This is

anchored by Banjo (2014). Fieldman (2018) stressed that vocational skill should be redefined “at

least in part as that aspect of educational experience or skill which helps in working towards a

career.” The National Policy on Education (1981 revised) defined vocational Education as an

aspect of education, which leads to the acquisition of practical and applied skills as well as

scientific knowledge (Udo et al., 2012).

2.8.1 The Concept of empowerment

Empowerment is broad based. Obi and Adjekophori (2019) defined empowerment as a series of

interventions, policies and actions tailored towards enhancing the capacities of individuals and

social groups. Empowerment, of necessity, they said, would involve mobilizing people power for

the decentralization of highly centralized structures of economic and political power. It involves

the provision of enabling environment for their productive and intellectual abilities to be

realized. The National Planning Commission (NPC) through its document titled NEEDS (2004)

states that empowerment is giving voice to the weak and vulnerable groups through increased

participation in decision making and implementation. In the context of this study, empowerment

means strengthening the people in the rural areas through enterprise development and

institutional capacity building through vocational skills acquisition, to enable them intervene

decisively in decision making processes, generate enough income through vocational skills

already acquired and exercise increasing control over production, distribution and consumption

of goods and services.

21
2.8.2 Evolution of vocational skills education/acquisition in Nigeria

Vocational training in traditional Nigerian societies was largely run on the apprenticeship

system. Fafunwa (2014) in Awotunde (2018) states that this vast apprenticeship training system

began as part of a wider education process in which indigenous societies of Nigeria passed on

their cultural heritage from one generation to the next.

Okoro (2013) in Hime (2013) and Kpanja (2013) all confirmed that apprenticeship was the

method of vocational skills acquisition and training before establishment of vocational and

technical schools. Okoro further maintained that due to inadequate vocational and technical

schools, apprenticeship system still supplies the bulk of Nigeria’s skilled and semi-skilled

workers. Hime (2000) further revealed that the Federal Republic of Nigeria through National

Directorate of Employment (NDE) launched the apprenticeship scheme in a bid to fight

unemployment and provide individuals with psychomotor skills. There was a slight deviation

from the conventional apprenticeship because it was free, and in addition, the trainees were paid,

monthly. Akande (2011) however asserted that the scheme failed because it lost some of the

major attributes of the system. Nkeweke (2017) cited in Abassah (2011)argues that in efforts

geared to brace up to the challenge of industrialization, over the years, governments, institutions

and managements emphasized the need for practically oriented technical education curriculum

and provision of effective teaching of technical subjects in Nigerian colleges. In line with the

above, ITF (2014) admits that citizens’ acquisition of relevant skills is a sine qua non for

industrial and by extension, economic development. Also, Mba (2018) cited in ITF (2014)

asserts that for any nation in search of high level of industrialization to succeed, provision of

relevant skills must be given serious consideration. Section 5(42) of the National Policy on

Education (NPE) stipulates that each State and Local Government in conjunction with

22
appropriate agencies shall organize relevant apprenticeship training schemes. The various arms

of government did not show enough concern in this area to improve apprenticeship situation.

Most apprenticeship trainings were and are still in the hands of the private sector or informal

sector without proper guidance and coordination. Organized vocational skills acquisition, on the

other hand, started in Nigeria with various government departments such as Nigeria Railways,

Public Works, and Marine etc. The ten year colonial development plan (2006) recommended

handcraft centers for trainings in manual arts, trade centers for training skilled craftsmen. The

regional government implemented the programme with financial assistance from central

government such that by 1960 there were twenty nine (29) organized vocational and technical

schools in Nigeria (Awotunde, 2015). This also brought in the era of Relevant Technology

Boards. In Nasarawa State, the board is being run as a formal education and skills acquisition

programme with the diminished impact on the citizenry and the target beneficiaries.

23
 CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Materials and Method

3.1 Study Area

The study was carried out at Oyo Sate College of Agriculture and Technology Igboora, Oyo

State in the Department of Home and Rural Economics at the clothing unit.

3.2 Population of the Study

The population of the students in Home and Rural Economic Department, is (200) two hundred

students which is the total population.

3.3 Sample Size

The total number of the respondents for this research study was 10% of the students in Home and

Rural Economics which is Twenty (20) students in Home and Rural Economics.

3.4 Sampling Techniques

Random sampling techniques was used in which researcher will pick the students at random

3.5 Method of Data Collection

The data was collected through the use of well structured questionnaire for the respondent to

assess the produced leather bags and leather purse.

3.6 Method of Data Analysis

The retrieved questionnaire was given to a statistician for the interpretation.

24
3.6 Materials and Methods

3.6.1 Materials needed for travelling bag Making

3.6.2 Equipment used in production of travelling bag

Equipment Quantity

1. Sewing machine 1

2. Scissors 1

3. Hand needle 1

4. Machine needle 2

5. Tailors chalk 1

6. Measuring tape 1

7. Ruler 1

8. Cutting table 1

9. Hole puncher 1

3.6.3 Materials used in production of traveling bags

Materials Quantity

1. Leather 1 yard

2. Zip cloth 8 yards

3. Thread 1 big size

4. Tapping 10 yards

5. Zip mouth 24 pieces

6. Magnet 5 pieces

3.6.2 Method used for the production of the travelling bag

1. Make sure to have a sharp knife and cut on a self healing cutting board.

25
 2. To prepare for sewing, made a line at the edge with a Grover, marked holes with a rotary

punch, cut the edges with a edge beveller and made the holes with an awl with cork

underneath.

3. I used a fat-pen on the back of the leather to mark where the bends will be. Wet the

leather with water and banged it with a wooden hammer.

4. Burnished the edges by using fine sand paper, olive oil, Eco-Flo Gum Tragacanth and a

multi-tool with a soft attachment.

5. Leather shampoo was used the clean the leather, and then wiped off with an old t-shirt,

then applied a thin layer of olive oil to make the leather a bit softer and darker.

6. Waxed thread with two needles was used. The sewing technique is saddle stitch.

7. Small pieces were sewn on the sides of the purse to hold the strap. They have eyelets so

the strap can be changed to another if needed.

3.6.3 Materials needed for making leather purse

The materials you need to put in place all the needed materials and tools to make the sewing

easier. Since you will be making leather purse, the following materials or tools will be needed.

Equipment Quantity

1. Sewing machine 1

2. Scissors 1

3. Hand needle 1

4. Machine needle 2

5. Tailors chalk 1

6. Measuring tape 1

7. Ruler 1

26
 8. Cutting table 1

9. Hole puncher 1

3.6.3 Materials used in production of Purse

Materials Quantity

1. Leather 11/2 yards

2. Zip cloth 4 yards

3. Belt 7 yards

4. Side hook 2 yards

5. Zip mouth 4 pieces

6. Adjuster 1 pieces

3.6.4 Method for producing leather purse

The methods that was used for the production of leather purse are as follow

1. Draw the Design

2. Make sure to have a sharp knife and cut on a self healing cutting board.

3. To prepare for sewing, made a line at the edge with a Grover, marked holes with a rotary

punch, cut the edges with an edge beveller and made the holes

4. I used a fat-pen on the back of the leather to mark where the bends will be. Wet the

leather with water and banged it with a wooden hammer.

5. Burnished the edges by using fine sand paper, olive oil, Eco-Flo Gum with a soft

attachment.

6. Leather shampoo was used to clean the leather, and then wiped off with an old t-shirt,

then applied a thin layer of olive oil to make the leather a bit softer and darker.

7. Waxed thread with two needles was used. The sewing technique is saddle stitch.

27
 CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 RESULT AND DISCUSSION

4.1 RESULT

Sample: (Leather Travelling Bag)

Table 1
GRADE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE (%)
Colour
Excellent 10 50%
Very Good 10 50%
Good - -
Fair - -
Poor - -
Texture
Excellent 8 40%
Very Good 9 45%
Good 3 15%
Fair - -
Poor - -
Appearances
Excellent 9 45%
Very Good 9 45%
Good 2 10%
Fair - -
Poor - -
Overall acceptability
Excellent 8 40%
Very Good 6 30%
Good 6 30%
Fair - -
Poor - -

TOTAL 20 100

Source: Field survey, 2019

28
Colour

The table above showed that 50% of the respondents grade the colour of the leather travelling

bags Excellent, 50% of the respondents grades the colour of the leather travelling bags Very

Good. So therefore, the result shows that majority of the respondent accepted the Colour of the

leather travelling bags is excellent.

Texture

The table above showed that 40% of the respondents grade the texture of the leather travelling

bags is Excellent, 45% of the respondents grade the texture of the leather travelling bags Very

Good, while the remain 15% of the respondents grade the texture of the leather travelling bags

Good. So therefore, the result shows that majority of the respondent accepted the texture of the

leather travelling bags respectively.

Appearance

The table above showed that 45% of the respondents grade the appearance of the leather

travelling bags Excellent, 45% of the respondents grade the appearance of the leather travelling

bags is Very Good while the remaining 10% of the respondents grade the appearance of the

leather travelling bags is good. So therefore, the leather travelling bags is acceptable due to the

percentage of the respondent view respectively.

Overall Acceptability

The table above showed that 50% of the respondents grade the Overall acceptability of the

leather travelling bags is Excellent, 25% of the respondents grade the Overall acceptability of the

leather travelling bags is Very Good, while the remaining 25% of the respondents is Good. So

therefore, the result shows that majority of the respondent accepted the Overall acceptability of

the leather travelling bags is Excellent.

29
Sample: (Leather Purse)
Table 2
GRADE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE (%)
Colour
Excellent 11 55%
Very Good 7 35%
Good 2 10%
Fair - -
Poor - -
Texture
Excellent 9 45%
Very Good 5 25%
Good 6 30%
Fair - -
Poor - -
Appearances
Excellent 10 50%
Very Good 8 40%
Good 2 10%
Fair - -
Poor - -
Overall acceptability
Excellent 12 60%
Very Good 7 35%
Good 1 5%
Fair - -
Poor - -

TOTAL 20 100

Source: Field survey, 2019

30
Colour

The table above showed that 5% of the respondents grade the colour of the leather purse

Excellent, 35% of the respondents grades the colour of the leather purse Very Good, while the

remaining is 10% of the respondents is Good. So therefore, the result shows that majority of the

respondent accepted the Colour of the leather purse is excellent.

Texture

The table above showed that 45% of the respondents grade the texture of the leather purse is

Excellent, 25% of the respondents grade the texture of the leather purse Very Good, while the

remain 30% of the respondents grade the texture of the leather purse Good. So therefore, the

result shows that majority of the respondent accepted the texture of the leather purse is excellent.

Appearance

The table above showed that 50% of the respondents grade the appearance of the leather purse

Excellent, 40% of the respondents grade the appearance of the leather purse is Very Good while

the remaining 10% of the respondents grade the appearance of the leather purse is good. So

therefore, the result shows that majority of the respondent accepted the appearance of the leather

purse is Very Good.

Overall Acceptability

The table above showed that 60% of the respondents grade the Overall acceptability of the

leather purse is Excellent, 35% of the respondents grade the Overall acceptability of the leather

purse is Very Good, while the remaining 5% of the respondents is good. So therefore, the result

shows that majority of the respondent accepted the Overall acceptability of the leather purse is

Excellent.

31
 CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMEDATION

5.1 SUMMARY OF THE FINDING

This project investigated on the production of leather articles in producing travelling bag and

leather purse. The bags and purse that were produced in clothing laboratory with the use of plain

leather for both bags and the purses produced, the questionnaire drafted were administered to

twenty (20) Panelists comprises of students in Oyo state College of Agriculture and Technology,

in the department of Home and Rural Economics from the acceptability of the produced

travelling bags and purse using leather were generally acceptable by the panelists.

5.2 CONCLUSIONS

This study focused on the technical skilled required in the production of travelling bag and purse

with plain leather. The travelling bag and purse are very beneficial for ladies and for packing of

loads especially for office use and also promote self employment campaign.

From the result obtained from the article produced using leather was accepted by the panelists.

Those were also repeated in overall acceptability.

5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS

Following the findings of the study, the following suggestions are recommended:

1. Leader producers should at least use combination of leather in producing both bag and

lunch bag.

2. Leather producers should use more accessories to makes the bag more attractive and

beautiful for the consumers.

3. There should be greater emphasis on practical aspect of the production of articles using

leather materials to complement the theoretical teaching.

32
4. There should be greater emphasis on production of leather articles as entrepreneurial

skills.

33
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 APPENDIX
DEPARTMENT OF HOME AND RURAL ECONOMICS

OYO STATE COLLEG OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY IGBOORA

THIS QUESTIONNAIRE WAS DESIGN ON VOCATIONAL SKILLS ON THE PRODUCTION OF

LEATHER ARTICLES TOOLS FOR POVERTY ALLEVIATION

Information given on this questionnaire will be used for research purpose only.

Your accurate sincere and response will be highly appreciated

 EXCELLENT 5
 VERY GOOD 4
 GOOD 3
 AVERAGE 2
 FAIR 1

SAMPLE COLOUR TEXTURE APPEARANCE OVERALL

ACCEPTABILITY

A (leather
travelling
bag)
B (leather
purse)

36