Lesson Plan: Government (Senior Secondary 2)
**Topic: Major Political Crisis in Nigeria – Western Nigeria Election Crisis of 1965**
**Objective:**
- To understand the causes, events, and consequences of the 1965 Western Nigeria Election Crisis.
- To analyze the impact of this political crisis on Nigeria's political development and stability.
- To develop critical thinking skills by engaging in discussions about historical political crises.
**Duration:** 90 minutes
**Materials Needed:**
- Whiteboard and markers
- Projector and computer for multimedia presentation
- Handouts with key information and primary sources
- Map of Nigeria
- Timeline of events leading to the 1965 crisis
**Lesson Structure:**
**1. Introduction (10 minutes)**
- Begin the lesson with a brief overview of Nigeria's political landscape in the 1960s.
- Show a map of Nigeria highlighting the Western Region.
- Explain the importance of understanding historical political crises to learn from the past.
**2. Lecture and Multimedia Presentation (20 minutes)**
- Present a brief lecture on the background of the Western Nigeria Election Crisis of 1965.
- Discuss the political environment in Nigeria pre-independence and post-independence.
- Explain the role of political parties such as the Action Group (AG) and the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP).
- Use a multimedia presentation to show images, news footage, and maps.
- Highlight key events:
- The controversial elections in Western Nigeria.
- The influence of prominent political figures like Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Samuel Akintola.
- The breakdown of law and order and subsequent violence.
**3. Group Activity (25 minutes)**
- Divide the students into small groups of 4-5.
- Provide each group with primary source documents, such as excerpts from speeches, newspaper articles, and government reports about the 1965 crisis.
- Assign each group to analyze the documents and answer the following questions:
- What were the main causes of the Western Nigeria Election Crisis of 1965?
- How did the events unfold during the crisis?
- What were the immediate and long-term impacts of the crisis on Nigeria's politics?
**4. Group Presentations (15 minutes)**
- Each group presents their findings to the class.
- Allow each group 3-4 minutes to present, with a brief Q&A after each presentation.
**5. Class Discussion (10 minutes)**
- Facilitate a discussion on the presentations.
- Engage students with questions like:
- Do you think the crisis could have been avoided? Why or why not?
- What lessons can be learned from this crisis for contemporary Nigerian politics?
- How did this crisis contribute to subsequent political instability in Nigeria?
**6. Conclusion and Summary (5 minutes)**
- Summarize the key points discussed during the lesson.
- Emphasize the importance of fair elections, political stability, and unity.
- Provide a brief overview of how the Western Nigeria Election Crisis influenced future political developments, including the First Republic's collapse.
**7. Homework Assignment (5 minutes)**
- Assign students to write a 1-2 page essay on the topic: "Analyzing the Impact of the 1965 Western Nigeria Election Crisis on Nigeria’s Political History."
- Encourage them to use at least three different sources to support their analysis.
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**Assessment:**
- Participation in group activity and class discussion.
- Group presentation evaluation.
- Homework essay assignment.
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**Reflection:**
- After the class, reflect on what went well and what could be improved.
- Consider student engagement and comprehension during the lesson.
- Adjust the next lesson plans based on the feedback and observations.