LOCAL CRAFT AND JOB CRATION IN AKWA IBOM STATE; A STUDY OF ESSIEN UDIM PEOPLE

Before the age of European penetration into Nigeria, the local craft had transformed the people in the spheres of technology and arts. This research sought to examine the roles of local craft in jobs creation among the Essien Udim people of Akwa Ibom State. The specific objectives of the study were to identify the local crafts produced by the people of Essien Udim, examine the roles of metal works and local craft production among the people of Essien Udim and the roles of weaving and local craft production among the people of Essien Udim. Structural functionalism was adopted for a theoretical framework. A mixed survey research design of qualitative and quantitative design was adopted for the study. Interview guide and questionnaire were used for primary data collection. Qualitative data were analysed thematically while quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics (percentage) Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient with pictures. Findings of the study revealed that the people of Essien Udim Local Government Area used available resources such as iron ore, wood, raffia, bamboo, horn, tin, aluminium, palms, palm leaves, herbs, and animal skins to produce local handicrafts that they ensured survival and livelihood in agriculture, hunting, tapping of palm wine, palm fruits harvesting, food processing, fashion, and other occupations accessible to the people of Essien Udim local government area for their survival. Further findings show that Essien Udim people are well known in Akwa Ibom State for their local technological profession in the production of many tools, equipment, utensils, and others which enhance adaptable and comfortable livelihood and survival among the people. Among other it was recommended that local craft production should be encouraged with grants for more enabled productions to reduce the high economic cost of dependency on foreign goods.