Distribution of retired civil servants: a case study of forest – based enterprises in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Abstract

This study aimed at examining occupational distribution of retired civil servants with particular reference to forestbased enterprises in Ibadan, Oyo State. Primary data was collected from 100 retired civil servants using structured questionnaires. The proportion of retired self employed workers in various sectors of the economy was calculated using descriptive statistic such as frequency and percentages. Factors responsible for the involvement of the retired self employed workers in forest – related enterprises were determined. The sub – sectoral preference of the forest – based enterprises were also considered. Average return (income) to forest – based enterprises and non – forest – based enterprises were calculated and analyzed. About 57 percent of the sampled retired workers got themselves engaged in forest – based enterprises, while others were either engaged in non-forest enterprises or unemployed. From the finding, it was discovered that the mean income that accrued solely to forest – based enterprises was approximately ₦33, 835, which was far below that of non – forest based enterprises which approximated to ₦152, 889. But when the farm income accrued to those in forest – based enterprises was added, the average annual income rose to ₦74, 150.88, thereby reducing the wide gap but not appreciably enough to completely erase the difference between it and that of non – forest based enterprises. Comparing the F – ratio tabulated and that of calculated, it showed that there was significant difference between the mean incomes earned by the two sectors. It was also found that it was not only the huge benefit or returns to those self – employed in non – forest based sectors that formed the incentive for patronage but also, the daily and constant turn – over that was relatively available for meeting the daily needs of the household, unlike in forest – based enterprises where the income was relatively lower and thinner by the day.

Keywords: Forest – based enterprises, Non – forest – based enterprises, Self employment, unemployment, Retirement.