Civic Education

First term scheme of work - SS 3

Week 1 - Revision/ Human rights
Week 2 - Characteristics or categories of human rights
- Meaning and examples of fundamental human rights
Week 3 - Political apathy
- Meaning, examples, causes of political apathy
- Ways of fighting political apathy
Week 4 - Public service
- Meaning, examples, importance of public service
Week 5 - Shortcomings in the public service
Week 6 - How to improve public service in Nigeria
- Structure of public service
- Functions of code of conduct bureau and public complaint commission
Week 7 - Mid-term test, Open day, Mid-term break
Week 8 - Civil society
- Meaning, examples of civil societies
- Qualities and problems of civil societies
Week 9 - Popular participation
- Meaning, merits of popular participation
- Discuss traditional and modern modes of popular participation
Week 10 & 11 - Revision
Week 12 & 13 - Examination

SS 3 Civic Education Notes first term

HUMAN RIGHT

Human rights can be defined as those fundamental, natural and in alienable rights
and freedom bestowed on all human beings to enjoy in the society. They are
regarded as those privileges that people are entitled to by the virtue of human
existence. They are God-given rights, hence, the term natural rights. These rights
are also legal rights which are enforceable in the law court in the event of breach
of such rights and freedom. Examples of these fundamental rights as popularly
called include:

 Right to life
 Right to education
 Right to freedom of movement
 Right to freedom of association
 Right to freedom of speech
 Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion
 Right to franchise
 Right to fair hearing
 Right to freedom from discrimination, oppression and undue harassment
 Right to work and earn a living
 Right to own immovable properties

Brief history of human right

Generally speaking, the ancient world did not possess the concept of universal
human rights. The basic ideas that animated the movement of human rights
developed in the aftermath of the Second World War and the atrocities of
holocaust, culminating in the adoption of universal declaration of human rights in
Paris by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. The world war and the
huge losses of life and gross abuses of human rights that took place then were the
driving forces behind the development of modern human rights instrument.

Limitations of human right

Human rights as an international concept can be limited by the following factor:

 War and emergencies

 Health reason
 Military rule
 Court order
 The law of libel and slander

Week 2

Characteristics of Human Rights

Human rights can be characterized under three premises. These are University,
Egalitariality and Legality.

1. Human rights are inalienable: These rights are natural and inborn. They cannot
be taken away from any individual because people are bearer of these rights.
For example right to liberty and freedom of movement, right of equal
education for all, right to life.
2. Human rights are universal because they apply to all irrespective of race,
religion, sex, social status or condition of place where on lives. These rights do
not discriminate.
3. Human rights are interdependent, indivisible, and interrelated. The fulfillment
or exercise of one right cannot be gotten without the realization of others. For
example right to education will lead to improvement in wages, family life,
expression and life will be worthy of living. If you deprive an individual one of
these rights it will adversely affect others.
4. Human rights are fundamental because they are rights essential for human
existence and all individual are entitled to them. Without them life and dignity
of man will be meaningless.
5. Human rights are lawful/ constitutionally recognized because it is the
responsibility of a state to enforce and perfect the rights of all its citizens. It is
in the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.

CATEGORIES OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Fundamental human rights have been categorized into civic rights, political rights,
economic rights and social rights.

1. Civic and political rights: are a class of rights that protect individuals'
freedom from infringement by governments, social organizations, and
private individuals. They ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and
political life of the society and state without discrimination or repression..
It is also called first generation rights by Krel Vasak because it was the first
legally binding of the universal declaration of human right (UDHR).

Civic rights include:

i. right to life
 ii. freedom from torture
iii. right to freedom from slavery
iv. right to fair trial
v. freedom of speech
vi. freedom of thought
vii. conscience and religion
viii. right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
ix. rights to personal liberty and security
x. rights to freedom of expression

Political rights include:

i. right to vote and be voted for

ii. right to equal access to public service

2. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RIGHTS

These are known as second generation of rights or security oriented rights.

It is also known as soft rights. It talks about economic empowerment to
improve the lives of citizens by the government. These rights include:

i. right to food, water and housing

ii. right to adequate health care
iii. right to work and other means of earning a living
iv. Right to adequate/ decent standard of living.
v. Right to qualitative basic education and adequate shelter
vi. Right to freedom of movement
vii. Right to freedom from discrimination
viii. Right to equal pay for work done
ix. Right to join the trade union and choose religion
x. Right to protection for mothers and their children
xi. Right to social security.

3. Environmental rights: These rights ensure that a good, clean and conducive
environment is sustained to enable people live decently to attain both
physical and mental health. This is to also avoid physical and health
hazards.
 i. Right to peace.

ii. Right to clean environment

iii. Right to protection from problems such as decertification, global

warming, air pollution, destructive exploitation of mineral resources and
erosion.

Week 3

Political Apathy

It is quite expedient to explain the meaning of “apathy” and “politics” first

before putting the two together for easy comprehension. Apathy in its simplest
meaning is the loss of interest in a particular thing or activity. Politics, on the
other hand, is an act of governance or a whole activity of getting resources and
people administered.

Political apathy can therefore be defined as the unwillingness on the part of

the people towards political activity. It is sheer lack or loss of interest on the part
of the populace towards political activity. A politically disinterested individuals or
group in a state represents and signals political pessimism. This is anti to political
advancement of any nation. Political apathy can manifest in any of the under
listed ways;

I. Refusal to register and vote during election.

II. Refusal to join meaningful political groups.
III. Non-challance to action and in-action of political actors.
IV. Indifference to poor governance and corruption in the society.
V. No reaction against electoral manipulations and malpractices.

Causes/reasons of political apathy

The following are some of the causes of political apathy;

1. Unfulfilled political promises

2. Poor/Bad governance
3. Electoral manipulation
4. Replacement theory
5. Illiteracy
6. Type of government etc.
7. Political violence during election
8. Unhealthy rivalry between political parties
9. Insecurity during election

Ways of fighting political apathy

Political apathy could be fought in many ways. Some of such ways are;

1. Good governance: Good governance is an antidote to political apathy. A

responsive and responsible government that has the interest of the people at
heart will enjoy a great deal of followership. People will be ready to contribute
their best to nation building.
2. Accountable government: A non-corrupt but accountable government will
encourage people to be part of her policies. A government that is people and
service centered; providing the basic necessities of life for the people (such as
food, water, power, housing, good roads, health and education) will enjoy
greater support and greater political participation from the masses.
3. Credible election: Free and fair election is another way of combating political
apathy in a nation. A society where the electoral institution is independent and
incorruptible is bound to witness an upsurge in the level of political
participation. People will naturally be motivated to participating in political
activities.
4. Education: A literate society is an informed society. People should have access
to affordable education. This is the only way to guarantee and consolidate a
nation’s human capacity development needed for a greater tomorrow. An
illiterate society lacks the requisite ability to contribute to meaningful political
discourse and general governance activities.
5. Healthy and constructive criticism among political actors: Politicians should
criticize and compete fairly with themselves without any form of attack,
 fabricated allegations and other violent act towards their opponent, this will
encourage and make people feel safe to support any candidate of their choice

WEEK 4

Public service
Public service are those services rendered by government to people living within
its jurisdiction either directly (through the public sector) or by financing provision
of services.
Public service can also be referred to public corporation i.e. a business
organization established, owned, managed and financed by the government with
tax payer’s money with the aim of rendering important services to the members
of the public and not to make profit. Examples of some of these include;
Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)
Nigeria Port Authority
Water Corporation
Nigeria Postal Services telecommunication (NIPOST)
Nigeria Radio Corporation
Railway Corporation
Nigeria Airways Etc.
Importance of public service
1. Employment: Public sector provides employment to large member of
people in the country. It serves as a source of employment for the people
thereby reducing the rate of unemployment in the country.
2. Rural development: Public sector units facilitate rural development. When
government decides to carry out or establish a corporation in communities
and villages, it will foster the development of such areas.
3. National income: Public sector units contribute to the national income of
the country. Government makes money from these businesses which are in
turn use for economic advancement and provision of certain basic
amenities for the citizens.
 4. Foreign exchange earnings: The public sector enterprises have contributed
to the export earnings of the country through the export of chemicals,
minerals, metals etc. Government trade with other countries through these
services and in turn generates money from exportations.
5. Social order: Provision of employment reduces possibility of anti-social
activities. When jobs are available to the people it reduces criminal
activities and other form of social vices.

WEEK 5

Shortcomings in the Public Service

There are so many reasons for the shortcomings in public administration. These
include;

1. Poor remuneration: The public servants do not earn good salaries and they
lack many motivational incentives that will make them work harder.
2. Inadequate skill and knowledge of roles: Some workers in public offices often
lack the necessary skills to discharge their duties effectively.
3. Nonchalant attitude of workers: Poor attitudes of workers such as
absenteeism, lateness, idleness at work etc.
4. Bureaucracy: this refers to the excessive use of formalities in the public service
which hinders effectiveness. Issues and policies are over dragged as a result of
public servants not being able to take prompt action.
5. Political instability: Frequent change in government results in constant change
of top officials of public service like head of service and director general
6. Bribery and corruption: Some public servants no longer do their official duty,
rather they are looking forward to being bribed before doing their duties.
7. Nepotism and favoritism: Appointment of employees and workers without
consideration for experts or qualified personnel rather based on tribal
sentiments.

Code of conduct bureau

The code of conduct bureau is a frontier agency that fights against corruption and
it was formed by the federal government of Nigeria. Its main purpose of existence
is to check and curb practices of corruption in the public service. Hence, te code
of conduct bureau carry out some of the following functions;

1. To ensure accountability in government

2. To give the judiciary more power to discipline erring public officers
3. To give the police more power to make arrest
4. It renders strategic and important role in ensuring that public officers are
working and conducting themselves within the ambit of the law.

WEEK 6

HOW TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SERVICE IN NIGERIA

The following are some of the suggested ways of improving public service in
Nigeria;

1. Remuneration of employees should be attractive and comparable to private

sector to reduce temptation for corruption.
2. Qualified and experienced personnel should be recruited to work in strategic
public offices.
3. Adequate funds should be allocated to public corporations to allow them
execute their laudable programmes and other developmental projects.
4. There should be effective and efficient supervision of public workers.
5. Refreshers courses, seminars and training programmes should be organized
from time to time for public servants to allow them contribute their best to
their assigned jobs.
6. Public administration should be insulated from unnecessary political
interference.
7. Proper accounting and auditing should be instituted in public service.

PUBLIC COMPLAINTS COMMISSION

Public complaints commission (Ombudsman) is a government institution

established to examine complaints of inefficient administration, corrupt and
unjustified treatment by overzealous public authorities or officials against citizens.
It was introduced in Nigeria in 1975.
 Functions/Importance of Ombudsman

1. To examine the problems and complaints of those citizens cheated in one way
or the other.
2. To investigate thoroughly cases of bad administration leveled against any
public authority.
3. This body is committed to ensuring the protection of the rights and liberties of
members of the public.
4. It is to investigate allegations of corrupt practices leveled against officers.
5. They monitor neglect, experienced in some public institutions e.g. Prisons,
Hospitals, Orphanage homes etc. and recommendations are made by the
commission.

WEEK 8

Civil Society

Civil societies are voluntary, non-government and self-sponsored organizations

that seek to promote the interest of the society. They promote societal values,
justice and people’s well-being. Civil societies act in the public’s interest but are
not motivated by profit or government.

Their activities and operations cover political, economic and social concern.
Organisations and institutions that make up civil society include labour unions,
non-profit organisations, churches and other service agencies that provide an
important service to the society. Some examples of notable civil societies include;

i. Red cross society

ii. UNICEF
iii. Community development association
iv. Nigeria labour congress
v. Save Nigeria Group
vi. Campaign for Democracy
vii. Movement for the emancipation of Niger Delta
viii. Oodua Peoples Congress
ix. Arewa Peoples Congress
x. Ohanaeze Ndigbo etc.
 Qualities of civil society

1. They are self-sponsored, self-accounting and self-reporting.

2. It is an association of like-minded individuals and groups.
3. Civil societies promote issues of common concern and benefits.
4. It can be militant and radical in approach.
5. Civil societies are watchdog on government activities and political actors.

Functions of civil society

1. Civil societies often educate their members and the public on local, national
and international issues.
2. They act as agent of positive political, economic and social change.
3. They fight for the course of the less privileged disadvantage people in the
society.
4. They also act as spokesman of the people on issues of public/common
concern.
5. Civil societies are seen as partners in nation building.

Problems of civil society

1. Civil societies sometimes have problem of inadequate fund to execute some of

their laudable projects.
2. Their activities have the tendency to degenerate to civil unrest sometimes.
3. Selfish leaders of some civil groups sometimes use the goodwill of the
organisation for their personal ego.
4. Some civil groups tend to have leadership and organizational problems
necessitated by ethnic sentiment.
5. Civil societies who have genuine intentions and good records have been
derailed due to unnecessary over-bearing political influence.

WEEK 9

Popular Participation
 Popular participation refers to the general and the extent of people’s involvement
in the political activities and processes of governance. It is the degree of
participation of the citizens in the political affairs of their country.

Popular participation is the exact opposite of political apathy. It can further be

described as the demonstration of people’s belief and acceptance of political
actors and their policies.

Forms/Degree of popular participation

Popular participation in modern democratic setting can take the following forms;

i. Mass formation of political parties: People can participate in politics by

forming political parties.
ii. Membership of political party: People may decide to join a political party of
their choice.
iii. Sponsoring/financing: People may also choose to demonstrate their popular
participation by financing or sponsoring a candidate.
iv. Voting: Another form of popular participation is when people come out to
vote during elections.
v. Being involved in political discourse: This may be in form of writing articles in
newspaper and magazines contributing to political topics.
vi. Election monitoring, political education, seminars done by civil groups is
another form of popular participation.

Need/reasons for popular participation

The need for popular participation can be viewed from different dimensions,
some of which are;

1. People participate in politics because they want to be involved in the

management affair of their states.
2. Some other people participate in political activities in order to reap economic
benefits.
3. Self-esteem and self-actualization is another driving force behind people’s
involvement in politics. Such people get involved in politics in order to realize
their life’s ambition.
4. At times, some people participate or find themselves in politics by the virtue of
circumstances. A typical example of this is chief Ernest Shonekan of Nigeria in
1993.
5. People may also get involved in politics as an attempt to change the existing
status quo, which perhaps might have been considered as either too tenacious
or too autocratic.
6. Still others, getting involved in politics could be a reason of wanting to test
their popularity, and thus creates awareness for future political ambition.

Modes of popular participation

The following are the methods through which people demonstrate their
involvement in political/democratic processes;

a. Traditional popular participation: This is the process by which the generality of

the people gather at a predetermined place to take collective decision binding
on the affairs of a community or state. Consensus decision here is often
effected by a majority raise of hands. This system was practiced in the Athens
Greek city state. Another example of this system was the pre-colonial Igbo
republic. Decisions are usually taken by a collective raise of hand on a subject.
This method involves more of imposition and has become moribund and no
longer practicable. The question or liberty of choice is non-existent here.
b. Modern popular participation: This is a system of popular participation where
decisions are taken through representatives who are periodically elected to act
on people’s behalf. People’s freedom of choice is supreme here. The
representatives enjoy the people’s mandate and are therefore answerable to
the people. This is the type of popular participation that is practiced in modern
democratic countries of the world. The power to elect and to remove remains
the prerogative of the electorates.