ETHICS, VIOLENCE AND CIVIC EDUCATION
SYSTEM IN NIGERIA SEMINAR
The Role Of Civil Societies In Addressing The
Issue Of Ethics And Violence In The Civic
Education System Of Nigeria And How The
Steps Contribute Towards Building Good
Citizens In The Country
BY
EMANNUEL ULAYI
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
CIVIC DUTIES AWARENESS INITIATIVE(CIDAI)`
What the issues are
The Country has
witnessed in recent
times an unprecedented
level of violence and
unethical conduct which
can threaten our
existence as a Nation
There is a need to
emphasize more on
civic enlightenment
through the civic
education curriculum in
schools and other
approaches to stem the
violence and
indiscipline in the
country
?
“a set of moral principles : a
theory or system of moral
values “`
We Ask the Question?
Can Any Nation Develop Where
Conflict Thrives?
Research on the need for Civic Education
YUSUF, AbdulRaheem1, AGBONNA, Samuel
Ayorinde1, JEKAYINFA, Alice Arinlade1* and
SALIU, Ahmed2 in a study on
Effects of citizenship education component of
social studies on civic literacy and
attachment of upper basic students in Ilorin
Metropolis, Nigeria
Notes that some of following problems
plague Nigeria in the next slide
Problems Plaguing Nigeria
ethnicities,
suspicion and
distrust
widespread
indiscipline
the problem of
insurgency
problem of NorthSouth dichotomy
negative attitude
to national issues
lack of
patriotism
call for
confederacy and
secession
kidnapping
What to do then?
• Create a forum to instill in Nigerian a sense
of belonging and responsiveness to their
roles as citizens
• Have a platform to engage people on
discussion to address the social, political
and economic problems facing us as
Nation
• Encourage the Civic Education activities
already going on in schools
• Continue an engagement on promoting
civic participation and responsiveness
Onging Approaches Towards Civic
Education
• classroombased
learning
• mass media
campaigns
• experiential
learning
• Informal
training
• Social
media
•
•
•
•
What Has Been Civil Society Organizations
role?
Improving knowledge about civic structures,
democratic processes, promoting social justice
and equity
Encouraging Nigerians to have a positive
attitude towards the country and see each other
as brothers, not enemies
Giving feedback to government agencies and
funders on what the average Nigerian citizen is
saying on the streets concerning their hope for
a stronger and more economically stronger
Nation
Being a voice, link and platform in the civic
discourse between government and the
average Nigerian
What Efforts Have Been Done To Promote
Civic Education and Enlightenment
• MAMSER
• WAI
• Ministry of Information
and Culture
• Ministry of Education
• Office of the First Lady
etc.
Government
• Funding
• Seminars
• Engagements such as
this
• Forums and opportunities
to strengthen the
capacities of stakeholders
• Media Campaigns
• Public Enlightenment
• Engagement with
Stakeholders
• Proving a link between
government and the
people on civic activities
International
Agencies
Civil
Societies
The Civic Duties Awareness Initiative
This organization was formed in 2009. It is an active
platform to promote civic engagement of all Nigerians
irrespective of tribe and tongue in building a better
Nigeria
We have a commitment to also raise a generation
that promotes the strong ideals that any great Nation
should be known for-Discipline, Patriotism, Strong
sense of Pride and Participation in Governance
We believe in continuous engagement of all
stakeholders in the discussion of promoting
ethics and respect for rule of law
CIDAI’s work in schools
• We are currently carrying out a “Naija Must
Be Great” campaign taking civic education
enlightenment to schools
• We have discovered through this campaign
that there is a lacuna in Civic Education
textbooks and we plan to freely distribute the
textbooks
• Cidai has partnered with FCT Primary and
Secondary School Board and the Nigeria
Orientation Agency(NOA) to further develop
other teaching tools for schools
Rationale for re-introducing civic
education in schools
• Dwindling national consciousness, social harmony
and patriotic zeal
• The notion that the lack of civic education and
patriotic orientation had led to disorientation in
schools and the larger society
• Rising incidences of corruption, indiscipline,
disrespect for both elders and the rule of law
• The need to ensure that the young from an early
stage in an organized environment imbibe the spirit
of nationhood
• Provide a strong foundation for civic education and
participation in governance
The Civic Education Curriculum in Nigerian
Schools
Azebanwan (2010) suggest the following topics to be covered
• The concept of Nationhood and Democracy
• The process of government; Types of government; Different
arms of government and the balance of Power
• Unity in diversity; Dealing with conflict; The legal system;
Security; Political Parties and the elective process
• The role of the Legislature; Devolution of Powers; Pressure
Groups and Sectional Interests
• Child Labour ; The Media and Public Opinion;
• Human Rights; Local Government; Crime and Society
• Young People and the Law;
• Freedom of Speech; and The comity of nation states and the
place and role of Nigeria in it
• Etc.
What role does Civic Education play in
Schools ?
The Curriculum promotes an
understanding of the rights and
responsibility of citizens towards their
country
Encourages
civic education
and attachment
Prepares the children
for civic
responsibilities
Questions?
Do the children
have the
appropriate
tools e.g
textbooks and
learning
materials on
civic education?
Have the
teachers
been
trained and
retrained
to teach
civic
education?
Is the civic
education
curriculum
been monitored
and progress
reported on the
impact of civic
education on
our children?
So….
• I share my experience in
promoting civic enlightenment
in a Secondary School in
Abuja
•How do we then ensure that the lessons learnt by the
student s in the classroom are reinforced by the
environment ?
•How do we monitor adults who are not in the classroom
to ensure that they continually imbibe discipline and
strong ethics in their dealings?
•Can we have strong heros our young ones can emulate
who are ethical, disciplined and shun violence?
Engaging People and Promoting More Civic
Awareness in and out of the Classroom Is A
Decision We Must Take!
Our Suggestions to ensure that the
curriculum is schools is made more practical
• The learning methods should be made
more practical with more training tools
like case studies or films introduced to
enforce learning
• Service learning should be encouraged
so that the students can engage
actively out of the classroom to work
within their communities through
actions like gathering petition
signatures, organizing events to
promote young peoples participation in
civic engagement etc
Other Suggestions…
•Peer to peer training programmes should be
encouraged for continuous learning
opportunities
•The teachers should model good citizenship
skills and encourage the students to practice
them
•Avenues to open opportunities for thought
and discussion on the nature of civic rights
and responsibilities and the students role in
transforming society should be promoted e.g
essay writing competitions
CIDAI Promotes Ethics and Civic
Participation
To Stop The Violence
Because….
In Summary…
Promotes civic engagement and supports
democratic and participatory
governance
Producing healthy, good and
active citizens who are patriotic, responsible,
disciplined,
well- informed and conscientious
Is A Joint Responsibility of Society
Thank you for your role in stopping the
violence and promoting ethics as we build
better citizens towards a better nation!