DRUG USE AND DRUG ABUSE

SS1 CIVIC EDUCATION
2nd Term

DRUG USE AND DRUG ABUSE

Meaning of drug abuse: drug abuse is the habitual taking of illegal drugs. It is also the use of drugs contrary to prescription.

Types of drugs and how they can be abused: Drugs are broadly classified into (1) Legal Drugs: are meant to heal. Legal drug abuse often occurs with prescriptions that individuals obtain from their physicians. Rather than follow the dosage instructed, they take more. Patients often become addicted to medications by accident as well. (2) Illegal Drugs: they are drugs that you are not supposed to use, buy, or sell. They include the following Heroin, crack, cocaine, Hallucinogens, Amphetamines, Marijuana,

Causes of drug abuse: (1)Peer pressure (2)Stress (3)Mental illness

Signs and symptoms of drug abuse: (1) Depression (2) Violence (3) Changes in personality and behavior like a lack of motivation, irritability, and agitation (4) Bloodshot eyes and frequent bloody noses (5) Shakes, tremors, or slurred speech (6) Change in their daily routines (7) Lack of concern for personal hygiene (8) Unusual need for money; financial problems.

Behaviours of drug addicts: (1) Increased aggression or irritability. (2) Changes in attitude/personality. (3) Lethargy (4) Depression (5) Sudden changes in a social network (6) Dramatic changes in habits and/or priorities (7) Financial problems (8) Involvement in criminal activity

Agencies against drug abuse

NDLEA: The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency is a Federal agency in Nigeria charged with eliminating the growing, processing, manufacturing, selling, exporting, and trafficking of hard drugs.it was founded in 1990

NAFDAC: The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control is a Nigerian federal agency under the Federal Ministry of Health that is responsible for regulating and controlling the manufacture, importation, exportation, advertisement, distribution, sale and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals and packaged water. It was formed in 1993.

Ways of Preventing Drug Abuse: (1) Effectively deal with peer pressure. (2) Handle stress by other means like exercise, reading, relaxing etc. (3) Seek help for mental illness. Mental illness and substance abuse often go hand-in-hand. Those with a mental illness may turn to drugs as a way to ease the pain. Those suffering from some form of mental illness, such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder should seek the help of a trained professional for treatment before it leads to substance abuse. (4) Keep a well-balanced life. People take up drugs when something in their life is not working, or when they’re unhappy about their lives or the way their lives are going. Look at life’s big picture, and set your priorities in order.

EMERGENCY

SS1 CIVIC EDUCATION
2nd Term

EMERGENCY: it is a sudden serious and dangerous event or situation which needs immediate action to deal with it. It is an aberration from the norm. That is, it is an unusual situation. Plans are normally forced to change when emergencies arise. Thus, a lot of people have learnt to plan against emergency because if it is not well managed, it can make a plan to fail, but if well managed, it can give the plan a creatively new look.

What happens during emergency? (1) death (2)destruction of properties (3) change of plans (4)disappointment (5) overthrow (6) underproduction (7) fear (8) irregularity  

Ways of reducing emergency: (1) always keep reserve (2) Plan all the way to the end of a project (3) Have a Plan-B (4) Have faith in God (5) Plan with others (6) follow legal process  (7) keep your secrets secret (8) respect other people’s rights (9) be realistic, take the necessary precaution (10) Network and cooperation (11) keep your friends close and your enemies closer

HUMAN RIGHTS

SS1 CIVIC EDUCATION
2nd Term

HUMAN RIGHTS

Meaning: human rights are basic rights and privileges of citizens in a country enshrined in the constitution. Fundamental human rights are to be enjoyed by all human beings irrespective of their race, sex, age, language or geographical location. Human rights are categorized into: (1) Social rights e.g. right to freedom of association (2) political right e.g. right to vote and be voted fore (3) economic right e.g. right to personal property (4) Legal right e.g. right to fair hearing, legal representation, justice, equality before the law and right to sue.

History of human right and 1948 declaration of human rights: In 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a Universal Declaration of Human Rights, drafted by a committee headed by Franklin D. Roosevelt's widow, Eleanor, and including the French lawyer René Cassin. The document proclaims basic civil, political, and economic rights common to all human beings. The Declaration serves as a "common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations" rather than a legally binding document.

Limitations of human rights: (1) War: during war, most human rights are violated flagrantly. E.g. torture and killing violate rights to personal dignity and life. (2) state of emergency (3) When the security of the state is threatened, the government may declare curfew which in turn will limit the individual’s right to freedom of movement. (4) Emergency situations can make the government take emergency measures that might adversely affect the individual’s right (5) Breach of law: this incurs punishment on the offender and the punishment is itself a limitation to his human right. E.g. imprisonment is a limitation to the right to freedom of movement. (6) Threat to the health of the society: although a person has right to own a business, yet if the business poses a threat to the health of the society, then such business may be suspended.

HOW POPULAR ORGANIZATIONS ARE FORMED

SS1 CIVIC EDUCATION
2nd Term

HOW POPULAR ORGANIZATIONS ARE FORMED

Popular organizations are organizations that are open to public membership, and are essentially for public interest. Such organizations usually have large members and their number makes them influential both in the society and in government. Popular organizations are formed by first clearly defining its (1) aims (2) target membership (3) creating awareness of the organization through the appropriate mass media (4) fathom efficient ways of achieving the goals

Roles of popular organizations in development: (1)it helps to streamline the people’s miscellaneous interests (2)it unites people (3)it causes peace which is necessary for sustainable development (4)it organizes people to productive works

POPULAR PARTICIPATION

SS1 CIVIC EDUCATION
2nd Term

POPULAR PARTICIPATION

Meaning: popular participation refers to a situation whereby the people are permitted to take part in the political activities of their country.

Factors that promote popular participation: (1) Universal adult suffrage: this is an unlimited franchise given to all adult citizens of the country. In contrast, when citizens’ franchise is limited by race, income, tribe etc., participation in politics will be limited. Thus, popular participation is determined or encouraged by universal adult suffrage. (2) Political and civic education: this will enable the citizens to become enlightened about their political and civic rights and duties. When they know these things, they will be more disposed to political participation. (3) Multi-party system: each party has its ideology and manifesto. In a one-party system, the single ideology may not accommodate or represent the diversity of the people’s will. Hence, they may not participate. But a multi-party system gives room for all the diverse interests to be fully represented. Thus, people will simply join the party that promotes their interest. (4) Direct democracy: this is a situation in which the people are directly engaged in the political decision making. In contrast, indirect democracy prevents the people from direct participation in decision making; it is their elected representatives that decide for them. (5) Federalism: in this type of government, political participation is broken down from center to state to local or grassroots level so as to carry everybody along in the political decision process. (6) Online voting: this is a modern trend in politics. It is an effect of globalization in which some countries allow their citizens outside the shores of their country to participate in election through the internet.

Reasons why people do not participate in politics: (1) Economic reason: those who cannot make ends meet would see politics as a frivolous gesture which is reserved for the rich. (2) Discrimination and marginalization: some people that feel marginalized my not see any need to participate in politics. (3) Literacy: lack of civic and political education may make a person ignorant of his political right to participate in politics (4) Lack of faith in the government (5) Corruption in the electoral system

DEFINITION OF CITIZENS AND ALIENS

SS1 CIVIC EDUCATION
2nd Term

DEFINITION OF CITIZENS AND ALIENS

A citizen is a legal member of a state. He enjoys certain rights and privileges which non-citizens do not enjoy. On the other hand, an alien is a foreigner who resides in the state. He may have come to the state for business, tourism, education etc. The right of an alien is limited.

Differences between citizens and aliens

Citizen	Alien
He is a member of the state	He is not a member of the sate
He has the right to vote and be voted for	He doesn’t have such rights
It is a duty for him to defend the state during war	He is not called up to fight for the state during war
His disloyalty to the state is a crime called Treason	He needn’t be loyal to the state
He can rise to any possible position in the country	His level in that country is subject to limitation

Functions and responsibilities of a citizen in fostering democracy: (1) Obedience to the law (2) Providing information to the police to facilitate their investigation (3) Avoidance of Culpable ignorance of the law (4) Respect for the government officials (5) Payment of tax (6) Defense of the country against external aggression (7) Loyalty to the government

THE STATE GOVERNMENT AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT

SS1 CIVIC EDUCATION
2nd Term

THE STATE GOVERNMENT AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT

A federal state has 3 tiers of government, namely: Central, State and Local governments. The powers of each are clearly defined in the constitution. There are functions exclusive to the central government, e.g. Currency, Military etc. there are functions that both central and state governments legislate on concurrently, e.g. tertiary education, transportation etc. and the residual functions are left to the states.

Meaning Thus, the meaning of state government is the second tier of government in a federal system while the meaning of local government is the third tier of government in a federal system. Local government can also be defined as a government established by an act of parliament to deal with specific matters as they affect that locality. Such matters include: Marriage registry, TV licensing, street naming, maintenance and control of local markets, primary schools, etc.

 Functions of local and state government as pillars of democracy: (1)It brings governance closer to the people. (2)People at the grassroots can participate in government by being part of the state or local government. (3)local government enables the peculiar needs of the locality to be met efficiently (4)maintenance of roads (5)registration of birth, marriages and deaths (6)maintenance of law and order (7)provision of recreational centers (8) provision of health centers (9) naming of streets (10) maintenance of some institutions like motor parks, markets etc.

Problems of the three tiers of government: (1)problem of revenue sharing ratio (2)problem of clash in concurrent functions (3)Problem of divided loyalty wherein some citizens tend to be more loyal to the interest of their state than to that of the central government (4) Problem of secession (5)Problem of uneven development (6)problem of dominance at the center by a particular region (7)Problem of federal character

FEATURES OF FEDERALISM

SS1 CIVIC EDUCATION
2nd Term

FEATURES OF FEDERALISM: federalism is a system of government in which power is shared between the central government and the component units. Its features include: (1)constitutional division of power (2)the powers of the component units are not derived from the center but from the constitution (3)supremacy of the constitution (4)written and rigid constitution (5)autonomy of the units (6)grassroots political participation

Merits of Federalism: (1)it protects minority interests (2)it encourages grassroots participation in government (3)it is an avenue for division of labour (4)it creates employment (5)the supremacy of the constitution guarantees human rights (6)it makes it hard for dictatorship to emerge (7)it brings about equitable representation at the central legislature

Demerits of Federalism: (1)divided loyalty (2)the division into autonomous units creates an avenue for disunity (3)it is expensive to run (4)uneven development (5)duplication of functions especially in the concurrent list (6)its rigid constitution inhibits innovative progress (7)federal character is upheld over merit (8)boundary disputes (9)minorities’ fear of domination at the central government

Definition And Reasons For Freedom As A Pillar Of Democracy

SS1 CIVIC EDUCATION
2nd Term

Definition And Reasons For Freedom As A Pillar Of Democracy: Freedom as a pillar of democracy refers to the ways in which the freedom of the people helps to secure their democracy. Democracy is a government by the people. So, there is a minimum freedom which the people must have in order to maintain their power position. This include freedom to give constructive criticism against erring government officials, freedom to vote in or out of office, freedom to vie for an office etc. The reason for this freedom as a pillar of democracy are : (1)to correct erring officials (2)to change incorrigible government (3)to prevent dictatorship (4)to realize one’s political ambition (5)to give one’s humanity full expression

The Role of the Police in a Democratic System

SS1 CIVIC EDUCATION
2nd Term

The Role of the Police in a Democratic System: police officers have four major responsibilities: enforcing laws, preventing crimes, responding to emergencies, and providing support services. In doing these, they help the people to enjoy the dividends of democracy, and also preserve the system from collapse into dictatorship.

OTHER STRONG INSTITUTIONS

SS1 CIVIC EDUCATION
2nd Term

OTHER STRONG INSTITUTIONS

(1)Armed forces: the Nigerian armed forces include Army, Navy and Air force. They protect the country from external aggression that may come through the land, sea or air respectively. The ranks in the Navy include vice-admiral. The ranks in the Air force include air-marshal. The ranks in the army include sergeant, major, colonel, major-general, General. Nevertheless, the Commander-in-chief of the armed forces is the President.

(2)Trade Union: a trade union is an association of people that are into a particular trade so as to speak with one voice both to the government and to their customers. E.g. National Union of Teachers, National Union of Journalists etc. It helps democracy by serving as a pressure group which presents the pressing needs of the people especially the people in their own trade to the government for immediate attention.

(3)Civil Societies: a civil society is a non-governmental and non-profit making organization whose major aim is to pursue the interest of the citizens. The 3 features of civil societies are (1)non-governmental (2) non-profiting (3)public interest. The 8 types of civil societies are (1)NGO’s (2)Faith-based organizations like CAN, NASFAT etc. (3) community based societies like vigilante, Bakassi Boys (4) Online groups like Amnesty International. This is a kind of unregistered group whose activities are carried out on the internet. Some of them have no physical or legal base.  (5) social movements like Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo, Odua People’s Congress, Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta MEND, Arewa People’s Congress,   (6) Labour Union e.g. NLC  (7) Social Entrepreneurship. They apply market-oriented approach to cause social changes

(4)EFCC: The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is a Nigerian law enforcement agency that investigates financial crimes such as advance fee fraud (419 fraud) and money laundering. The EFCC was established in 2003, partially in response to pressure from the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF), which named Nigeria as one of 23 countries non-cooperative in the international community's efforts to fight money laundering. The agency has its head office in Abuja.

(5)SSS: state security service is the primary domestic intelligence agency of Nigeria. It is primarily responsible for intelligence gathering within the country and for the protection of senior government officials, particularly the President and state governors. It is one of three successor organizations to the National Security Organization (NSO), dissolved in 1986. The SSS operates as a department within the presidency and is under the control of the National Security Adviser.

(6)NPS: National Pension Scheme or NPS is a voluntary savings scheme that helps individuals to accumulate savings for the retirement years. According to the current laws, withdrawals are not allowed before the person reaches the age of 60 years or attains the age of superannuation, except in specified cases. Withdrawals from the NPS are income tax exempt if the subscriber withdraws up to 40 per cent of the corpus on reaching the age of 60 years or attaining superannuation. Overall, an NPS subscriber can withdraw up to 60 per cent of the maturity corpus at the age of 60 years or on superannuation. The remaining amount has to be converted into annuity. The subscriber can choose to purchase an annuity for an amount greater than 40 per cent. An annuity is a financial product that gives you periodic income or pension.

ARMS OF GOVERNMENT

SS1 CIVIC EDUCATION
2nd Term

ARMS OF GOVERNMENT

Legislative: The legislative make the law. There are two types of legislature, namely:  bicameral legislature and unicameral legislature. The following are the functions of the legislature: (1) to make laws (2) to approve budgets (3) to ratify treaties (4) to investigate misappropriation of funds

Judiciary: the judiciary interprets the law as it applies to each particular case. In Nigeria, the judiciary is made up of law courts ranging from the Supreme Court, appeal courts, high courts to magistrate and customary courts. The courts are headed by judges and magistrates. It is the judiciary that ensures that justice prevails in the state, and for this to happen, the judiciary needs to be (1) independent: they should not depend on the executive for recruitment, remuneration or promotion so that their judgment will be without fear or favour.  (2) Impartial (3) professional: they should be experts in the art of law.

                The functions of the judiciary are (1)to interpret the law (2) to settle disputes (3)to check and balance the other arms of government

Executive: this is the arm of government that implements the law. It is made up of the president and his cabinet of ministers, the military, police, civil service, agencies etc. their functions include: (1)to formulate policies (2)to implement the law (3) to appoint officials (4)to initiate bills (5)budgeting (6)to enforce law and order (7)to sign bill into law.

The types of executives are:

 (A) Single and plural executives: in single executive, all executive powers are vested upon a single individual, whereas in plural executives, the power resides with a body of individuals.

(B) Parliamentary and non-parliamentary executives: the parliamentary executive is part and parcel of the legislature. E.g. the prime minister and his cabinet are all members of the legislature whereas the non-parliamentary executives are not members of the legislative.

CONSTITUTION

SS1 CIVIC EDUCATION
2nd Term

CONSTITUTION

Definition: The constitution is a body of laws and principles which guide a people. It states the powers of each tier of government and the rights of the people. It establishes a basic framework or fundamental law of the land. It sets limits to the actions of the government and the people by stating the rights and duties of each.

Sources: (1) the people’s history (2) customs and traditions (3) Act of Parliament (4) past constitutions (5) constitutions of other countries (6) Conventions (generally accepted political precepts and practices) (7)constitutional conferences (8) judicial precedents

Types of Constitution

(1)Written constitution: it is the type of constitution in which the fundamental laws and principles governing the people are written down and codified in one single document.

(2)Unwritten constitution: it is the type of constitution in which the fundamental laws and principles governing the people are not written down in one single document, but is found in different books, customs, conventions, judicial principles, statutes etc.

(3)Rigid constitution: this is a kind of constitution that is very difficult to change. Merits (1) it guarantees human right (2) it guarantees sustainable development (3) it is a lasting reference point (4) it makes for political stability (5)it is the basis for long term planning. Demerits (1) it delays decision making (2)it leashes the leader’s power of innovation (3)it slows down growth (4) it can provoke violent revolution which could claim lives and properties

(4)Flexible constitution: it is easy to amend. If the method of amending the constitution is the same as that of the passing of ordinary law, then the constitution is a flexible one. Merits (1)it aids quick decision making (2)laws are easily change to fit the changing circumstance (3)it creates an opening for rapid growth (4)it costs little to make or remake laws in a flexible constitutions Demerits (1) it is open to manipulation (2)it makes the country vulnerable to dictatorship  (3)it causes political instability (4)laws can be momentarily made to torment political opponents bearing in mind that it can as easily be changed back.

Constitution as a major pillar of democracy

The constitution is a document of covenant between the government and the people. In democracy, power belongs to the people, but for the purpose of organization, the people hand this power to elected representatives in trust. These representatives are therefore to rule according to the agreed principles which are stated in the constitution. Thus, without the constitution, the representatives would assume unlimited power over the people. Then, it will no longer be democracy, and that means that the people have lost the power indefinitely. So, constitution is a major pillar by which democracy can be sustained.

THE MAJOR PILLARS OF DEMOCRACY

SS1 CIVIC EDUCATION
2nd Term

     THE MAJOR PILLARS OF DEMOCRACY

Democracy is the system of government in which the people are their own government. For this type of government to be sustained, there are factors that must be put in place, namely:

(1)The constitution: the kind of laws in the constitution goes a long way in either strengthening or weakening democracy.

(2)The people (citizens): the people constitute the government in democracy, and that makes them a strong pillar that sustains democracy.

(3)Institutions: Without certain institutions on ground, it would be easy for rulers with dictatorship tendency to enforce their selfish will on the people.

(4)Freedom: the people are given freedom in certain aspects of life, not only to express their humanity but also to enable them sustain democracy by insisting on their right.

(5)Local and state governments: if all governmental powers are vested in a single central authority, it will be easy for that authority to exploit the people. Thus, to sustain democracy, it is necessary for the state and local governments to shared power with the central government as this will enable the people even in the grass root to participate in government.

DEFINITION OF MINORITY AND MAJORITY INTEREST

SS1 CIVIC EDUCATION
2nd Term

DEFINITION OF MINORITY AND MAJORITY INTEREST

A minority interest is an activity, subject, etc. that is of interest to only a limited number of people called the Minority. Minority is a culturally, ethnically, or racially distinct group that coexists with but is subordinate to a more dominant group. This subordination is the chief defining characteristic of a minority group. As such, minority status does not necessarily correlate to population. In fact, in some cases one or more so-called minority groups may have more population than the dominating group, as was the case in South Africa under apartheid (1950–91).

Members of a minority group are usually cut off from full involvement in the workings of the society and from an equal share in the society’s rewards because they are socially separated or segregated from the dominant forces of the society. E.g. in the traditional Hindu caste system the Vaishyas (commoners) were deprived certain privileges which the Brahmans (priests) and the Rajanya (ruling class) enjoyed. 

Efforts to forcibly eliminate a minority from a society have ranged from expulsion, mob violence and ethnic cleansing, to genocide. E.g. (1)British deportation of the French population of Acadia, a group that became known as Cajuns, in 1755. (2) Pogroms against Jews in Russia (3) lynching of blacks, Roman Catholics, immigrants, and others in the United States (4) Nazis extermination of more than six million Jews in the mid-20th-century Holocaust. (5) Ethnic cleansing and genocide in the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda and The Sudan (6) South African xenophobic attack

On the other hand, there may be political, ideological, or moral impediments to the elimination of a minority, even if it is disliked. For instance, the commercial trade of certain European countries in the 12th and 13th centuries depended on Jewish merchants, a circumstance that (for a time) prevented the anti-Semitic aristocracy and clergy from driving the Jews into exile. Another example of begrudging tolerance can be seen in Britain in the 20-year period following 1950, which saw an influx of immigrants from the Caribbean, Pakistan, and India. Many British people did not like these new minority groups, but the nation’s prevailing democratic ideology overcame attempts to eject them.

Reasons for protecting minority interest: (1) To prevent inter-tribal crisis (2) to maintain political stability (3)to foster unity (4)to make the country more productive by engaging the right people for a particular job even if they are in the minority (5)to make up for past injustice done to the minority

Ways of protecting/safeguarding minority interest: (1) By creating them a component unit like state or local government (2)through adherence to the federal character principle (3)by ensuring even development across the country (4)by having the fundamental human rights enshrined in the constitution (5)by respecting their culture (6)by eliminating discrimination

LIBERTY

SS1 CIVIC EDUCATION

2nd Term

LIBERTY: Liberty simply means the freedom to live as you choose without restrictions from the government.

Types of liberty: (1) Individual liberty: each person has a private life which he or she would not like anyone to dictate for him or her how to live it. E.g. who to marry, what to eat, which religion to belong to etc. thus, individual liberty is the type which gives the individual the freedom to make decisions about things that concern him personally. (2) Civic liberty: civic means public, thus civic liberty is the liberty that pertains to public life. E.g. people have the right to freedom of association, freedom to do any legal business of their qualified choice, etc. (3) Political liberty: this is the freedom to participate in politics. This includes freedom to vote or vie for elective offices.

Factors that safeguard the liberty of citizens: (1)Independent judiciary (2)written and rigid constitution (3) Rule of law: where there is rule of law the citizens can be sure to exercise their liberty without interference. (4) Peace and stability: the citizens’ liberty can be denied in a state of war. Thus, peace and stability are necessary for their liberty to be assured. (5) Incorruptible police

MEANING AND PRINCIPLES OF RULE OF LAW

SS1 CIVIC EDUCATION
2nd Term

MEANING AND PRINCIPLES OF RULE OF LAW

The rule of law is the principle that law should govern a nation, as opposed to being governed by decisions of individual government officials. It primarily refers to the influence and authority of law within society, particularly as a constraint upon behaviour, including the behaviour of government officials. This implies that nobody is above the law. This principle was popularized by A.V. Dicey.

Limitations of rule of law: (1)immunity of heads of states (2)diplomatic immunity (3)delegated legislation enable the executive to rule by their own laws instead of allowing the rule of law (4) The system of government in practice: in autocracy and dictatorship, rule of law does not obtain because the dictator is above the law. He enforces his will on the people. (5) War: in a state of war, the rule of law does not hold.

Needs/importance of rule of law in a state: (1)it makes for a responsible government (2)it brings about peace and orderliness in the society (3) It prevents exploitation: government officials cannot promote their selfish interest over the common good of the people. (4) It brings about political stability: things do not change with the change of government officials since the law remains the same

CHARACTERISTICS OF DEMOCRACY

SS1 CIVIC EDUCATION
2nd Term

CHARACTERISTICS OF DEMOCRACY: The word ‘Democracy’ was derived from two Latin words ‘demo’ and ‘kratia’. Demo means people while Kratia means government. Thus, democracy means people-government. That is, as Abraham Lincoln said, the government of the people, by the people and for the people. It is the people that run their own government either directly or through elected representatives.

Types of democracy: (1) Direct democracy: this is the type of democracy in which all qualified adult citizens meet to make political decisions. It was possible in small city-states like Athens, but in modern states, due to the large population, all qualified adults cannot meet in one place to make political decisions directly. Hence, they adopt indirect democracy. (2)Indirect or representative democracy: In this type of democracy, the power is in the hands of the elected representatives who are elected by the people in elections. Thus, instead of all the qualified adults to meet and decide, it is the elected representatives that meet and make political decisions on behalf of the people.

Features of representative democracy: (1) Franchise: the people are given the right to vote or be voted for (2) Periodic and regular election (3) Government-people disparity: in representative democracy, the government is differentiable from the people. Such a contrast is absent in direct democracy

Merits of representative democracy : (1) It is suitable for modern states with large population (2) Deliberation is more organized among relatively fewer people than among innumerable crowd (3) Miscellaneous ideas of the vast population can be streamlined (4) It is not everybody that can articulate his point, so the representatives help the people to speak their mind.

Demerits of representative democracy: (1) decisions of the representatives hardly reflects the will of the people (2)Dubious representatives only represent their selfish interest (3)there is usually tension between the people and their elected representatives due to dissatisfaction

Nationalistic roles of groups

SS CIVIC EDUCATION
2nd Term

Nationalistic roles of groups

The Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) was Nigeria's first genuine nationalist organization, founded in Lagos in 1933. The president was Dr Kofo Abayomi. Ernest Ikoli was vice president and H.O. Davies was the secretary. Prof. Eyo Ita, Samuel Akisanya, Ernest Ikoli, were the founding fathers. Their immediate concerns included the supposedly inferior status of Yaba College, appointments of Africans to senior positions in the civil service and discrimination against African truck drivers, and its programme was to foster political advancement of the country and enhance the socio-economic status of the Nigerian citizens. Adeyemo Alakija later became President. Other prominent members include Nnamdi Azikiwe, Samuel Akintola and Obafemi Awolowo.