SS2 First Term- Civic Education

  • CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION
  • MEANING OF DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS
  • SKILLS NECESSARY FOR PRESENTATION OF OUR TRADITION, BELIEF AND CUSTOMS IN NIGERIA
  • MEANING OF THE CONCEPTS OF NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS, NATIONAL INTEGRITY AND NATIONAL UNITY
  • HOW TO PROMOTE NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS,NATIONAL INTERGRITY AND NATIONAL UNITY
  • CAPITALIST DEMOCRACY
  • HOW POLITICAL PARTIES COMPETE FOR POWER THOUGH ELECTION
  • POVERTY AND ITS EFFECTS
  • POLITICAL APATHY
  • FORMS AND REASONS FOR POLITICAL APATHY

Citizenship Education

SS 2 Civic Education First Term Week 1

Topic: Citizenship Education

Content: 

  • Meaning of Citizenship Education
  • Importance of Citizenship Education

Meaning of Citizenship Education

This is the process of imparting the citizens with the knowledge of their rights, values and developing their skills and attitude towards the development and the affairs of their states.

Importance of Citizenship Education

The importance of citizenship cannot be overemphasized to Nigeria students. The following points below are the importance of citizenship:

  1. It’s an avenue for citizen to actually know where they belong and have a sense of belonging.
  2. The process of citizenship makes it possible for citizens to become a legal member of a state.
  3. Citizenship enables citizens to know the symbol of Nigeria’s unity and to work towards making Nigeria a united nation.
  4. The process of becoming a citizen helps to increase the nation population, therefore increasing the labor
  5. The process of becoming a citizen enables individual to enjoy every benefit provided by the Government.

Roles of Citizens to Government

The citizens of a country have some roles or duties to perform to their Government, some of which are:

  1. Obeying rules and regulation made by the Government.
  2. Paying of taxes
  3. Obeying traffic rules and regulation
  4. Voting during election
  5. Respecting the national symbols.
  6. Maintain law and order.
  7. Reporting of criminals
  8. Loyalty to the state.

  Roles of Government to Citizens.

  1. The Government ensures that the citizens are protected.
  2. The Government provides social amenities for her citizens.
  3. The Government provides employment opportunities to her citizens
  4. The Government brings about infrastructural development
  5. The Government ensures peace and orderliness in the state.
  6. The Government ensures that the state is free from any kind of danger.

Test and Exercise

  1. Citizenship is important because (a)It makes citizens behave anyhow (b)It gives citizen the right to belong to unlawful assembly (c)makes citizens to have a sense of belonging (d)It makes citizen to disobey rules and regulation.ans is (c)
  2. —————- is to provide social amenities to citizens (a)the students (b)the Government (c)the citizens (d)The foreigners.ans (b)
  3. A good citizen must ensure ————– (a)peace and orderliness (b)corruption and stealing (c)Disobey rules and regulation (d)Destruction of roads.ans (a)
  4. One of the role of the Government is to (a)provide cocaine and heroin (b)provide social amenities (c)neglect the criminals in the state (d)encourage corruption.ans (b)
  5. The process of associating or belonging to a particular country is known as (a)citizen (b)foreigners (c)member (d)citizenship.ans (d)

Meaning of Duties and Obligations

SS 2 Civic Education First Term Week 2

Topic: Meaning of Duties and Obligations

Content

  • Meaning of Duties and Obligations
  • Duties and Obligation of citizens to their communities e.g, Security, Obedience to rules and regulations, environmental sanitation

Duties and Obligations of Nigerian Citizens

A citizen is a legal member of a given state who possesses full constitutional, legal or natural rights in the state he or she resides. A citizen is “a person owing loyalty to and entitled by birth or naturalization to the protection of a state or union” (ibid.).

The rights of a citizen go with the responsibilities, wherever there is a right there is corresponding duty.

Civic means, “of, relating to, or belonging to a city, a citizen, or citizenship, municipal or civil society” .

Responsibility refers to “the state or quality of being responsible or something for which one is responsible such as a duty, obligation or burden” (ibid.).

Civic Responsibility is defined as the “responsibility of a citizen” (Dictionary.com). It is comprised of actions and attitudes associated with democratic governance and social participation. Civic responsibility can include participation in government, church, volunteers and memberships of voluntary associations. Actions of civic responsibility can be displayed in advocacy for various causes, such as political, economic, civil, environmental or quality of life issues.

Citizenship means “a productive, responsible, caring and contributing member of society.” (ibid.).

 Duties are responsibilities a citizen is expected to perform for the effective functioning of the state. Some of the duties and obligation of Nigerian citizens are:

  1. Obedience to law and order: The citizens of the state are expected to obey the laws of the state so that orderliness can reign in the state.All the citizens should willingly and habitually obey the laws of the state. A democratic government is a government of the people themselves. Laws reflect their own will. There should not be, therefore, any hesitation in the obedience of laws.
  2. Reporting of criminals: A good citizen must perform the duties of reporting law breakers or any act of lawlessness to the police. It is the duty of every citizen to lend a hand of co-operation to public officials in the discharge of their duties. Every citizen should try to remove evils and crimes from society by rendering help to the officials concerned.

  3. National service: A good citizen should respond to the call to serve his/ her country. An example is the National youth service corps (NYSC).
  4. Voting during election: This is one of the political duties of a citizen. Good citizens are to exercise their voting rights during elections. A Nigerian citizen that has attained the age of 18 is expected to vote during election.
  5. Payment of taxes and rates: This is a financial obligation of a citizen. Good citizens are expected to pay their taxes at the appropriate time. This will help he government to discharge their duties correctly.
  6. Loyalty to the state: It is the responsibility of Nigerian citizens to be firm and show constant support to their government. Your loyalty must not be divided.
  7. Resistance: It is more or less a moral duty. It is the duty of a good citizen to resist injustice from any quarter. If the government is unjust, it may also be resisted.
  8. Respect for national symbols: Nigerian national symbols are the national anthem, national flag, Nigerian currency, the coat of arms etc. All of these needed to be respected by the citizens.
  9. Public Spirit: Every citizen should be public spirited. He should not seek his self-interest and should always be ready to contribute his mite to the welfare of society.
  10. Honest exercise of Franchise: Vote is a sacred trust in the hands of the citizens. It should always be used judiciously. Suitable represen­tatives should be sent to the legislatures. A wrong use of vote may result in a bad government.
  11. Work: Every able-bodied citizen should work and try to add something to the social fund. Idlers are a parasite on the society. Work brings in wealth and prosperity in the country. In countries like Russia work is considered to be a legal duty.
  12. Tolerance: Every citizen is expected to be tolerant towards others. Their religions beliefs “Do unto others what you wish to be done by,” should be the motto before every citizen.
  13. Community Services: A good citizen should volunteer and always try to offer whatever help you can for the community in which he or she is living in.

Your Rights

  1. To vote and hold public office
  2. To say what you want in speech or writing
  3. To practice your religion
  4. To have a fair trial
  5. To be protected by the Government
  6. To have privacy in your home and private life.

Duties

  1. Obeying the law
  2. Serving on a jury or a witness
  3. Defending your country
  4. Paying taxes
  5. Attending of School (Education)

Responsibilities

  1. Common Good – The well being of all members of the society
  2. Holding office
  3. Campaigning
  4. Participating in Political processes
  5. Serving your community

Test and Exercise

  1. A legal member of a given state who has the who possesses full constitutional, legal and natural right in the state where he resides is known as (a) owner (b) citizenship (c) citizen (d) head of state. ans (c)
  2. ———- are expected responsibilities citizens are to perform for the development of their states. (a) Duties (b) offence (c) responsibilities (d) all of the above. ans (a)
  3. All of these are duties of citizens except (a) obedience to law and order (b) payment of taxes and rates (c) disregarding the law of the land (d) showing loyalty to the state. ans (c)
  4. To be loyal means to (a) bend down when the president is speaking (b) to be at alert when there is crisis (c) to be available for civil war (d) to be firm and show constant support to the government of your state. ans (d)
  5. All of these are part of the Nigeria national symbols except (a) the national anthem (b) the Nigerian coat of arms (c) the lines on the Nigeria roads (d) the national currency. ans (c)

Skills Necessary for presentation of our Tradition, Belief and Customs in Nigeria

SS 2 Civic Education First Term Week 3

Topic:  Skills Necessary for presentation of our Tradition, Belief and Customs in Nigeria

Contents–

  • Skills Necessary for presentation of our Tradition, Belief and Customs in Nigeria
  • Factors that promote Tradition, Customs and Belief in Nigeria

SKILLS NECESSARY FOR PRESERVATION OF OUR TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS AND BELIEF IN NIGERIA

Skill acquisition is a specific form of learning. Skill acquisition refers to a form of prolonged learning about a family of events. Certain skills required to preserve the tradition, customs, and beliefs.

These are:

1. Language

2. Dressing

3. Cultural Airtifacts

4. Food

5. Greetings

FACTORS THAT PROMOTE TRADITION, CUSTOMS AND BELIEF IN NIGERIA

Below, are ways to promote and protect our culture.

1) Organization of traditional festival

2) Teenagers and youth should be encouraged to put on native clothes and eat native food.

3) Youth should desist from practicing and imitating the culture of other people. Usually caused by excess viewing of foreign movies.

4) Nigerian native languages should be taught in elementary and secondary schools, even in tertiary institution.

5) Youth should learn to watch native Nigerian movies.

6) All Nigerians must learn how to speak their native languages.

ASSESSMENT

  1. _______  is a form of prolonged learning about a family of events
    (a) customs
    (b) traditions
    (c) norms
    (d) skill acquisition
  2. Skill acquisition is a specific form of learning
    (a) true
    (b) false
    (c) neither true nor false
    (d) none of the above
  3.  Skills required to preserve tradition, customs, and beliefs include the following except
    (a) language
    (b) dressing
    (c) killing
    (d) greetings
  4. One of the ways to preserve Nigerian tradition, customs, and beliefs  is
    (a) native languages should be taught in schools
    (b) students should be prevented from speaking vernacular
    (c) native languages should be banned
    (d) all Nigerian festivals should be cancelled
  5. One of these is not a way to promote and protect our culture
    (a) youth should be encouraged to put on native clothes
    (b) prevent people from learning about the history of Nigeria
    (c) young people should learn to watch native Nigerian movies.
    (d) learning to speak native languages

ANSWERS

  1. d
  2. a
  3. c
  4. a
  5. b

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Meaning of the Concepts of National Consciousness, National Integrity and National Unity

SS 2 Civic Education First Term Week 4

TOPIC- Meaning of the Concepts of National Consciousness, National Integrity and National Unity

Contents-  

  • National Consciousness
  • National Integrity
  • National Unity

National Consciousness

National consciousness refers to an active and emotional awareness of what is happening to one’s nation and how this affects one and the people around. National consciousness can also be defined as a set of opinions, feelings and beliefs shared by citizens of the same nation.

National Integrity

National integration is the awareness of a common identity amongst the citizens of a country. It means that though we belong to different tribes, religions and regions and speak different languages we recognize the fact that we are all one. This kind of integration is very important in the building of a strong and prosperous nation.

National Unity

Unity refers to the state of being united or joined as a whole. It also means harmony or agreement between people or group. National unity refers to a feeling of being united as a country, especially when different cultural groups make up the country.

ASSESSMENT

  1. ______  set of opinions, feelings and beliefs shared by citizens of the same nation
    (a) national consciousness
    (b) national integrity
    (c) national unity
    (d) national citizenship
  2. _____ is the awareness of a common identity amongst the citizens of a country
    (a) national consciousness
    (b) national integrity
    (c) national unity
    (d) national citizenship
  3. _____ is the feeling of being united as a country
    (a) national consciousness
    (b) national integrity
    (c) national unity
    (d) national citizenship
  4. Another word for unity is
    (a) enmity
    (b) apathy
    (c) sympathy
    (d) harmony
  5. When a nation with different tribes, religions, regions and people who speak different languages come together as one they are said to have
    (a) national honesty
    (b) national believe
    (c) national integrity
    (d) national truth

ANSWERS

  1. a
  2. b
  3. c
  4. d
  5. c

How to Promote National Consciousness,National Intergrity and National Unity

SS 2 Civic Education First Term Week 5

Topic: How to Promote National Consciousness, National Integrity and National Unity

Contents-

  • How to Promote National Consciousness,National Integrity and National Unity
  • Factors that Prevent the promotion of National Consciousness,National Integrity and National Unity

How to Promote National Consciousness, National Integrity and National Unity

1. Formation of political parties with national outlook:

Political parties should assume national character. Parties should have their headquarters in the Federal capital. It must also accept people from all walks of life to be members.

2. Encouraging Nigerians to be patriotic:

The people must all feel as Nigerians with one destiny and one goal. They must have ‘we’ feeling.

3. Organizing national cultural festivals:

National cultural festivals that bring people of different culture, religion, class and so on together should be organized. This will help people to understand and appreciate other people’s culture.

4. Promotion of cultural re-orientation/awareness:

This can be done by strengthening the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to encourage Nigerians to learn the languages, eat the food and wear the traditional dresses of one another.

5. Encouraging inter-ethnic and inter-tribal marriages:

Inter-ethnic and inter-tribal marriages help in promoting national integration. Through this, cultural ties are strengthened among Nigerians.

6. Promoting equal economic opportunities:

There must be conscious effort to promote equal economic opportunities for all socio-cultural groups in Nigeria.

7. Providing equal access to education:

Equal educational opportunities should be given to all Nigerians from primary to tertiary levels. Promoting Public education for national integration:

This can be done through the mass media by sensitizing Nigerians on common national issues and values.

8. Providing equal access to representation in government:

The application of federal character or quota principle in appointment into positions in government at all levels will help achieve equal access to representation.

9. Strengthening the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme:

More incentives such as automatic employment, cash donations, awards etc. should be given to outstanding corps members who served in other states outside their cultural areas.

10. Strengthening unity schools to promote cultural ties among future leaders.

11. Promoting religious tolerance.

12. Good and responsible governance/leadership to promote sense of belonging among Nigerians.

13. Adoption of an indigenous language as an official national language (lingua franca).

Factors that Prevent the promotion of National Consciousness,National Integrity and National Unity

1. Lies

2. Disloyalty

3. Ethnic distrust and suspicion

4. No sense of national identity

5. No sense of integrity

ASSESSMENT

  1. In promoting national integration in Nigeria, Political parties must
    (a) have their headquarters in a particular region of the country
    (b) admit only people from one tribe
    (c) assume ethnic character
    (d) must accept people from all walks of life
  2. National cultural festivals promote
    (a) hate
    (b) fight
    (c) envy
    (d) love
  3. One of this is not a way to promote national unity and integration
    (a) inter-tribal/inter-ethnic marriages
    (b) NYSC
    (c) national cultural festivals
    (d) unequal access to education
  4. NOA stands for
    (a) National Organisation Agency
    (b) National Orientation Agency
    (c) Nigerian Orientation Agency
    (d) Nigerian Occult Agency
  5. What is the full meaning of NYSC
    (a) National Youth Service Corps
    (b) National Youth Service Course
    (c) National Youth Service Centre
    (d) National Youth Service College

ANSWERS

  1. d
  2. d
  3. d
  4. b
  5. a

Capitalist Democracy

SS 2 Civic Education First Term Week 6

Topic: Capitalist Democracy

Content–

  • Meaning and Definition of Capitalist Democracy
  • Characteristics of Capitalist Democracy
  • Political Parties – Definition and Characteristics

Meaning and Definition of Capitalist Democracy

Democracy

The origin of democracy can be traced to the city state of ancient Greece. The term is derived from the Greek “demokratia”, demos means “the people” while krates mean “rule” and the emergence of both Greek words evolves democracy as the people rule or government.

Abraham Lincoln then defined democracy as the government of the people, by the people and for the people.

Democracy is the system of government which is attained from public opinion and is accountable to it. It is the governments which exists and adhere to the dictates of the people.

It is also a system of government in which people exercise their political power through periodic election of leaders.

Capitalism

Capitalism is an economic system which gives right to private individual ownership of means of production and therefore gives opportunities to private individuals to interfere into the affairs of the government.

Capitalism is an economic system in which trade, industry and the means of production are largely or entirely owned and operated for profit.

Capitalist

A capitalist is a person who has a lot of money, property etc. and who uses those things to get more money.

A capitalist is also a person who believes that capitalism is the best kind of economic system.

Capitalist democracy can therefore be defined as the system of government in which power emanates from the support of the majority.

Characteristics of Capitalist Democracy

Characteristics of Capitalist Democracy are as follows;

  1. Respect for fundamental human rights: The right to personal life, freedom of speech, association etc. must be well catered for in order for capitalist democracy to exist.
  2. Right of the minority groups: The right of the minority group must be considered and respected in the society.
  3. Political parties: Without the existence of political parties where members who will manage the affairs of government can be elected by the electorates. There will be no capitalist democracy.
  4. Equality before the law: In a capitalist economy, nobody should be above the law both the leaders and the follower must remain equal before the law.
  5. Non- intimidators of voters during election: Election should be free and fair; the voters should not be intimidated or be forced to vote to a particular party, as this may discourage them from voting.
  6. Periodic election: In a capitalist democracy there should be periodic election as this will help to change government for a given period of e.g. election are usually conducted every four years for a change of government.
  7. Existence of opposition party: In order for capitalist democracy to exist in favor of all; there must be opposition, the opposition parties that will use their actions and criticism to compel the ruling party to work effectively.
  8. Transparency: The leaders and all arms of government and the electorate as well, are to ensure transparency in the issues concerning the state for the smooth running of a capitalist democracy.
  9. Public opinion: The public must be aware or be informed about the government plans so that they can contribute their own idea before final decision can be made.
  10. Freedom of the press: This is a situation whereby the mass media organizations like radio, television, newspaper and magazines houses are given are given freedom to report issues on the affairs of the state.

Definition of Political Parties

A political party is an organization of people of like-minds united by the common desire to obtain the mandate of an electoral constituency to form and operate a government.

Characteristics of Political Parties

  1. They are organized with procedure for electing party leaders
  2. Its primary function is to conduct election and being government
  3. Publicizing their manifesto
  4. Publicizing their manifesto to the electorate through campaign
  5. Nomination of candidates to contest under the banner of the party
  6. Organization of primary election within a political party to present the candidates that would represent the party.

Test and Exercise

  1. Who defined democracy as the government of the people for the people and by the people? (a) Abraham Maslow (b) Abraham Lincoln (c) Prof. Wole Soyinka (d) Mc Gregor. ans (b)
  2. A person who belief in capitalism economy is regarded as (a) socialist (b) communist (c) capitalist (d) all of the above. ans (c)
  3. The two forms of democracy is (a) direct and indirect (b) capitalism and socialism (c) general and private (d) majority and minority. ans (a)
  4. A person who has a lot of money and properties who used them to get more money is called (a) exploiter (b) capitalist (c) socialist (d) lazy man. ans (b)
  5. Another name for direct form of democracy is (a) popular democracy (b) impure democracy (c) pure democracy (d) natural democracy. ans (c)

How Political Parties compete for power though Election

SS 2 Civic Education First Term Week 7

Topic: How Political Parties compete for power though Election

Content-

  • How Political Parties compete for power though Election
  • Functions of Political Parties

How Political Parties compete for power though Election

Different political parties compete for power during election in the following ways

1.  Lobbying members of the legislature and officeholders in the executive branch of the government, providing them with information and persuasive arguments in successful efforts to impact on their official decisions and actions. 

2. Forming political action committees which contribute money to the election campaigns of candidates for government office

3. Providing candidates with other kinds of political support,

4. Mobilizing letter-writing campaigns aimed at particular legislators or other government officeholders

5. Staging media events and thereby generating dramatic, eye-catching newspaper headlines,

6. Staging mass demonstrations that catch the attention of the news media and the general public,

7. Filing suit in a court of law to prevent enforcement of a decision of the legislature or of the executive branch, 

8. Conducting political advertising campaigns, i.e., disseminating political propaganda through the mail and the mass media

Functions of Political Parties

  1. Political parties unite the people on major issues affecting the states
  2. It serves as a line between the people and government
  3. It enables the government’s accountability to the people
  4. It provides an organization for running the government
  5. It serves as an avenue for changing government

ASSESSMENT

  1. Political parties lobby members of the legislature and executive by
    (a) bribing them
    (b) providing them with information and persuasive arguments
    (c) fighting them
    (d) killing their families
  2. One the ways political parties are funded during elections is
    (a) robbing banks
    (b) inflating contracts
    (c) members contribution
    (d) corruption
  3. One of these is not a legal way for political parties to compete for power
    (a) stuffing ballot boxes
    (b) lobbying members of the legislature and executive
    (c) providing candidates with political support
    (d) staging media events
  4. Political parties can prevent enforcement of a decision of the legislature or of the executive branch by
    (a) killing them
    (b) threatening them with guns
    (c) filing a suit in a court of law
    (d) burning the legislative chambers
  5. One of these is not a function of political parties
    (a) they serve as a line between the people and government
    (b) they enables the government’s accountability to the people
    (c) they provide an organization for running the government
    (d) they help the army to forcefully take over power

ANSWERS

  1. b
  2. c
  3. a
  4. c
  5. d

Poverty and its Effects

SS 2 Civic Education First Term Week 8

Topic: Poverty and its Effects

Content-

  • Importance of Employment in alleviating poverty
  • Programmes of poverty alleviation
  • Factors that guarantee employment

Poverty is a state or condition in which a person or community lacks the financial resources and essentials to enjoy a minimum standard of life and well-being that’s considered acceptable in society.

Poverty is a difficult cycle to break, often passed from one generation to the next. Typical consequences of poverty include alcohol and substance abuse; less access to education; poor housing and living conditions and increased levels of disease. Heightened levels of poverty are likely to cause increased tensions in society as inequalities are realized. These issues often heighten crime rates in communities affected by poverty.

Importance of Employment in alleviating poverty

1. Work is beneficial to health and well-being

2. Lack of work is detrimental to health and well-being leading to higher consultation rates with GPs than in the general population, increased prevalence of depression and anxiety and higher suicide rates

3. For people without work, re-employment leads to improvement in health and well-being, whereas continued unemployment leads to deterioration

4. For people who are sick or disabled, placement in work improves health and psychosocial status.

5. The health status of people of all ages who move off welfare benefits improves.

6. People with work are able to contribute to society

Programmes of poverty alleviation

There have been different governmental attempts at poverty alleviation over the years in Nigeria, these include:

1. The National Directorate of Employment (NDE)

2. Peoples Bank of Nigeria (PBN)

3. Nigerian Agricultural and Cooperative Bank Ltd (NACB)

4. Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC)

5. National Commission for Nomadic Education (NCNE)

6. National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA)

7. National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA)

8. National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education

9. Federal Agricultural Coordinating Unit (FACU)

10. Directorate for Foods, Roads and Rural Infrastructures (DFFRI)

11. Agricultural Projects Monitoring and Evaluation Unit (APMEU)

12. Family Economic Advancement Programme (FEAP)

13. Industrial Development Centre (IDC)

14. Federal Department of Rural Development (FDRD)

15. Federal Ministries of Agriculture, Water Resources and Power and Steel

16. River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs)

17. Family Support Trust Fund (FSTF)

18. National Centre for Women Development (CWD)

19. Nigerian Bank for Commerce and Industry (NBCI)

20. Nigerian Industrial Development Bank (NIDB)

21. Nigerian Export-Import Bank

22. National Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUND)

23. National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP)

Factors that guarantee employment

Factors that promote employment are:

Development of small scale enterprise: Government should motivate the private sectors of the economy for the development of small scale enterprises which can bring returns for the government to tackle the problems of unemployment and promotes guaranteed employment, free education and medical care etc.

Agricultural development: The agricultural sector of the economy is becoming neglected by private individuals, government should help to encourage private individuals and organization in the development of agriculture as this will help to promote employment.

Development of education: Nigeria can potentially reap bountiful demographic dividend through its young people if it educates them and put them to gainful work. Doing otherwise with a mass army of educated, unemployed and unemployable youth population would engender high levels crime and threaten social cohesion.

ASSESSMENT

  1. Poverty means
    (a) when a person lacks financial resources and essentials
    (b) when a person enjoys financial resources and essentials
    (c) when a person cannot sing very well
    (d) when a person have some money and materials
  2. Lack of work leads to the following except
    (a) lack of good health and well-being
    (b) higher suicide rates
    (c) increased prevalence of depression and anxiety
    (d) richness and fullness in the land
  3. This is not a consequence of poverty
    (a) alcohol and substance abuse
    (b) less access to education
    (c) plenty food
    (d) poor housing and living conditions
  4. NDE means
    (a) National Directorate of Employment
    (b) National Defence of Employment
    (c) National Differentiation of Employment
    (d) National Democratisation of Employment
  5. Nigeria can potentially reap bountiful demographic dividend through its young people if it
    (a) prevent them from getting jobs
    (b) make access to education dificult
    (c) educates them and put them to gainful work
    (d) encourage them to roam the streets aimlessly

ANSWERS

  1. a
  2. d
  3.  c
  4. a
  5. c

Political Apathy

SS 2 Civic Education First Term Week 9

Topic: Political Apathy

Content-

  • Meaning of Political Apathy
  • Forms of Political Apathy

The word apathy was formed from the ancient Greek word apathies which means lack of feelings, it is an attitude.

Political apathy can be defined as lack of interest in political activities; it is a state of non participation of citizens in the political process of their community, state or country. It is a situation where citizens exhibit carefree attitude to political issues by not participating in it.

Political apathy is the indifference on the part of any citizen of any country with regard to their attitude towards political activities. For example, political, elections, public opinions, civic responsibility, etc.

A broader way of referring to political apathy in a country is to consider its political culture. By contrast, political culture is the behavioral disposition of people towards the government of their country vis-a-vis every other political activity. Political apathy, if left uncontrolled, can bring about stagnation to the development of any nation. An individual’s political apathy begins with a lack of understanding of politics or government to a certain degree, and that makes it more difficult for that individual to see the value in universal suffrage, and to see the benefits and/or costs of new policies that the government places. That makes the individual see it as irrational to gain the knowledge; since (supposedly) there would be no benefit (the individual would see this as rational ignorance. This creates a feedback loop.

Forms of Political Apathy

The following points are forms by which political apathy operates

  1. Refusal to register: Voters registration is an essential aspect of election which the electoral body takes very seriously, it is the pre-condition for voting in an election, some citizens see registration of voters as a waste of time, so people give excuses to ignore the exercise.
  2. Refusal to belong to a political party: political party is a body of people who come together with the goal of leading the state or country, it is through political party an individual can aspire to any political position or emerge as a candidate for election
  3. Refusal to fight or protest against rigging and other electoral malpractices: Electoral malpractices is a situation where in which electorate and electoral bodies falsifies and manipulate the electoral process, especially voting in order to ensure that an unpopular candidate wins the election which could be in form of ballot snatching, multiple voting etc, such nonchalant attitude helps wrong people to emerge as leaders.
  4. Refusal to vote: Refusal to vote is a situation whereby the total number of votes cast is very low compare to the total number of registered voters, this is the most common form of apathy, many eligible voters deliberately avoids to vote.
  5. Refusal to participate in electoral process: This involves participating in series of events or activities or activities such as debates, seminars, campaigns etc.

Test and Exercise

  1. Political apathy means (a) love for politics (b) nonchalant attitude to political issues (c) interest in elections (d) participation in election. ans (b)
  2. The word apathy was formed from (a) Greek (b) China (c) Japan (d) Nigeria. ans (a)
  3. All of this is all forms of political apathy except (a) refusal to vote (b) refusal to register (c) refusal to belong to political party (d) refusal to be a Nigerian. ans (d)
  4. ————- is the behavioral disposition of people towards the government of their country (a) political apathy (b) political security (c) political culture (d) political participation.ans(c)
  5. Political apathy has a positive effect on the government. True/ false. ans (false)

Forms and Reasons for Political Apathy

SS 2 Civic Education First Term Week 10

Topic – Forms and Reasons for Political Apathy

Contents

  • Forms and Reasons for Political Apathy
  • How to stop Political Apathy
  • Meaning of Re-calls

Forms and Reasons for Political Apathy

The following points below are the reasons why people fail to participate in political issues

  1. Bad Governance: The government of Nigeria for instance rules in a bad and carefree manner, their act does not motivate people thereby making people to ignore and nonchalant to political activities.
  2. Election Rigging: so many citizens belief that no matter the level of security election are going to be rigged either directly or indirectly thereby they see voting as a waste of time and energy.
  3. Past History of Political Occurrence: Due to the fact that some family members, friends and relatives have been victimized in the process of participating in political issues, because of this experience people decide not to participate in politics.
  4. Violent Campaign: Sometimes, the way political parties carry out their carry out their campaigns appears too violent and this can lead to lack of interest in politics.
  5. Military Invitation: people reflect on the past hijacked political activities through bloody coup d’état because of this people decide not to participate.
  6. Weak Security Measure: Most of the times, the security provided by the government during election or campaigns or any demonstration are always too weak to provide adequate security; this therefore creates fear in the heart of people and make them not want to participate.
  7. Chaotic Political Atmosphere: Sometimes political atmosphere appears unpeaceful, the political killings and all the rest is another reason for political apathy.

How to Stop Political Apathy

The following ways are the means by which citizens can fight against political apathy

  1. By participating in election
  2. By knowing and defending our right
  3. By joining or belonging to popular organizations like the NLC (Nigeria Labor Congress) political party like APC, PDP,LP etc.

Meaning of Re-calls

A recall election (also called a recall referendum or representative recall) is a procedure by which voters can remove an elected official from office through a direct vote before their term has ended. Recalls, which are initiated when sufficient voters sign a petition, have a history dating back to the ancient Athenian democracy and are a feature of several contemporary constitutions. In indirect or representative democracy people’s representatives are elected and these representatives rule for a specific period of time. But if any representative is not properly discharging their responsibilities, then they can be called back with the written request of specific number of voters.

Test and Exercise

  1. All of these are the reasons why people do not participate in politics (a) bad governance (b) election rigging (c) weak security (d) good performance. ans (d)
  2. Political apathy will lead to (a) bad governance (b) good governance (c) reduction in corruption (d) development in politics. ans (a)
  3. How can citizens fight against political apathy in Nigeria (a) by gossiping about the government (b) by knowing and defending our right (c) by avoiding to vote during election (d) by participating in the rigging . ans (b)
  4. NLC stands for (a) National Labor Congress (b) Nigeria Lagos Congress (c) Nigeria Labor Congress (d) National Life Conference.
  5. Fight against political apathy will yield positive effect on Nigeria politics. True/ false. ans (true)

Why Leaders refuse to protect the interest of their followers

SS 2 Civic Education First Term Week 10

Topic – Why Leaders refuse to protect the interest of their followers

Contents

  • Why Leaders refuse to protect the interest of their followers
  • How to control leaders that fail to protect followers in their Communities

WHY LEADERS FAIL TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF THEIR FOLLOWERS

1) Selfishness: It is a situation where a leader does not care about the needs of other people but about himself and things that will favour him.

2) Party Interest: This is a situation whereby the interest of the party is placed above the views of other people on an issue irrespective of the benefits of the popular view of the citizens.

3) Wrong Orientation: In developing countries like Nigeria, politics is seen as a quick way to success rather than avenue to serve people.

4) Lack of Vision: Majority of political office holders lack the vision to serve the interest of the citizens.

HOW LEADERS CAN PROTECT THE INTEREST OF THEIR FOLLOWERS

1) Selflessness: The leader who will protect the interest of their followers will not be selfish. He will put the interest of the followers above personal interest.

2) Put Interest of the People above Party Interest: The interest of the citizens is to be placed above party interest by a leader who will protect the interest of their followers.

3) Respect for the Rule of Law: The rule of law preach equality and impartiality from leader to followers. The leader should recognize that he and other citizens are equal and so treat them as being important.

4) Respect for Citizen’s Fundamental Human Right: A good leader should respect and protect the fundamental human rights of the citizens.

5) Embrace Constitutionalism: Constitutionalism says that leaders are to rule according to the constitution. A leader who wants to protect the interest of his followers must respect the constitution and rule accordingly. The constitution protects the fundamental human rights of the citizens.

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