Are you a citizen of Nigeria? If yes, do you know what it meant to be a citizen of Nigeria? No, you can't unless you receive a citizenship education in Nigeria.
Only the government do not make a nation but both the government and citizens make a nation. And while the government play their role, the citizens must also play their roles for a smooth-running country.
However, do you know your roles and duties as a Nigerian citizen? Well, you can't know them until you are taught and that's why you need citizenship education.
So, in this article, you will learn what citizenship education is all about. And also the types, roles, and benefits of citizenship education in Nigeria.
Let's get started.
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What Is Citizenship Education?
Citizenship education is a process whereby citizens of a country acquire the necessary knowledge and skills about their rights and duties in order to play their duly roles as citizens.
Citizenship education will help the citizens of a state to know and perform their rights and roles as provided in the constitution of the country.
However, citizenship education is put in the school's curriculum so that teachers can educate the students on their rights and obligations from the grassroots.
Types Of Citizenship Education
In the Nigerian school curriculum, citizenship education can also be referred to as civic education.
The three major types of citizenship education taught in Nigerian schools are civic, social, and political rights of a citizen.
The Civil Rights
Civil rights are those rights that everyone has as a citizen of a country, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, physical or mental ability, or sexual preference.
Some of these rights are:
- Right to life
- Right to education
- Right to personal liberty
- Right to own properties
- Freedom of speech
- Freedom of religion
- Freedom to vote
- Freedom to have a fair court trial
The Social Rights
Social rights are the rights an individual has to achieve his basic human needs.
These rights are concerned with human basic needs like food, shelter, clothing, and other provision for oneself.
Some of these rights are:
- Right to an adequate standard of living which includes food, clothing, and housing.
- The right to good physical and mental health, including access to care.
- The right to housing includes freedom of habitation.
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The Political Rights
Political rights are the basic rights that allow an individual to participate directly or indirectly in the political activities of the country.
Some of these rights include:
- Right to vote
- Right to hold a political office
- Right to freedom of assembly
- The right to join the political party of your choice
Goals of Citizenship Education In Nigeria
Here are some of the goals of citizenship education in Nigeria.
1. To educate individuals on their rights and duties as citizens of a nation.
2. Citizenship education gives citizens a sense of responsibility and loyalty to serve their state.
3. To inform citizens about the affairs and political matters of the nation.
4. To promote good governance by creating political awareness and participation of the citizens.
5. To educate citizens on how to solve societal problems and challenges that are likely to arise in the state.
6. To educate and promote cultural and ethnic values and national integrity in the state.
Benefits of Citizenship Education In Nigeria
Citizenship Education has a lot of benefits both to the citizens and the government of the state.
Here are some of the benefits of citizenship education:
1. It promotes national development: When citizens and the government know their rights and duties and play their roles, it fosters the development of the state.
2. It ensures full participation of the citizen in all the affairs of the state.
3. Citizenship education promotes peace and unity among the citizen of a state at all levels.
4. It promotes good governance: Citizenship education will help the citizens choose the right leaders to direct the affairs of the country, which enhance good leadership and governance in the state.
5. Citizenship education instils good morals, values, behaviours, and attitudes in the citizens. This promotes human development and relationships.
6. It helps citizens of a state to defend their rights and values against the government or any external forces.
Conclusion
The role and importance of citizenship education in a country cannot the overemphasized.
Every citizen of a nation should know their rights, duties, and roles. This will promote national growth and development in the state.
However, citizenship education should be properly taught in schools and colleges. This will help students and youths to contribute to the development of their society and state.
