Continental J. Social Sciences 4 (3): 14 - 18, 2011 ISSN: 2141 - 4265
© Wilolud Journals, 2011 http://www.wiloludjournal.com
Printed in Nigeria
ENTREPRENEURSHIP AS A POVERTY ESCAPIST STRATEGY
Raheem Shefiu
Centre For Entrepreneurship Development (CED), Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos.
Email: (bestraheems@yahoo.com)
ABSTRACT
Poverty is a disease of a terminal colouration and dimension. It’s eradication from the world is a good
goal to have but cutting cheques and providing special favours to the poorest people of the society does
not work in eradicating it. Anything that is rewarded grows. If you reward poverty, it grows and
consequently cannot be withered away. In today’s world, the formulation of an economic policy aimed
at job creation, sustainable income generation and poverty alleviation which does not recognize and
incorporate entrepreneurship is most likely to fail. Indeed, such an economic policy may, in itself be an
instrument for retarding economic progress and prosperity. Entrepreneurial activity is always about
value creation. Most economists today agree that entrepreneurship is a necessary ingredient for
stimulating economic growth and employment opportunities in all sectors of the economy. Poverty
reduction through massive and aggressive job creation is what Nigerians need to live in abundance and
also in prosperity. This cannot be achieved without entrepreneurship. Any country that relegates it to
the background, does it at its own peril and continues to live with the pains and pangs of poverty till
eternity without an escape route. The escapist strategy towards breaking the vicious cycle of poverty is
entrepreneurship. Embrace it.
Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Poverty Reduction; Youth Empowerment; Economic Growth and
Development; Job Creation