**Lesson Plan: History - States Created by General Yakubu Gowon**
**Grade**: Primary 4
**Subject**: History
**Topic**: States Created by General Yakubu Gowon
**Duration**: 1 hour
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### **Objectives:**
- Students will learn about General Yakubu Gowon and his role in Nigeria’s history.
- Students will identify the states created under General Yakubu Gowon's leadership.
- Students will understand the reasons behind the creation of these states.
### **Materials Needed:**
- Map of Nigeria
- Pictures of General Yakubu Gowon
- Chart with list of states created by Gowon
- Markers, stickers, or colored pencils
- Handouts with brief information on each state
### **Introduction (10 minutes):**
1. **Greeting**: Welcome the students.
2. **Hook**: Show pictures of General Yakubu Gowon and ask if they know who he is.
3. **Introduction**: Briefly explain who General Yakubu Gowon is and his significance in Nigerian history.
- General Yakubu Gowon was the military head of state in Nigeria from 1966 to 1975.
- He played a crucial role in restructuring the Nigerian political landscape.
### **Teaching/Exploring (25 minutes):**
1. **Historical Context** (5 minutes):
- Explain the political climate of Nigeria during Gowon's regime.
- Discuss the need for state creation to ensure better governance and representation.
2. **States Created by Gowon** (10 minutes):
- Use the map of Nigeria to show the original regions and the states created by General Gowon in 1967.
- Highlight the 12 states established:
1. North-Western State
2. North-Eastern State
3. Kano State
4. Kaduna State
5. Kwara State
6. Benue-Plateau State
7. Lagos State
8. Western State
9. Mid-Western State
10. East-Central State
11. South-Eastern State
12. Rivers State
3. **Reasons for State Creation** (10 minutes):
- Discuss the reasons behind the creation of the states:
- To address ethnic and regional tensions.
- To promote administrative efficiency.
- To ensure a fair distribution of resources.
### **Activity (15 minutes):**
1. **Map Activity**:
- Hand out blank maps of Nigeria and markers or stickers.
- Ask students to color or label the states that were created by General Gowon.
- Use the handouts provided to give them brief information about each state.
- Have students share what they learned about one of the states with the class.
### **Conclusion (10 minutes):**
1. **Recap** (5 minutes):
- Summarize the lesson.
- Reinforce the key points about General Yakubu Gowon’s contributions to the restructuring of Nigeria.
2. **Questions & Answers** (5 minutes):
- Open the floor for any questions from the students.
- Provide clear and concise answers to solidify their understanding.
### **Assessment:**
- Evaluate students' maps for accuracy in identifying and coloring the states.
- Informally assess students’ understanding through their participation in discussions and the Q&A session.
### **Homework:**
- Ask students to write a short paragraph about one of the states created by General Yakubu Gowon and how it has developed over the years.
### **Additional Notes:**
- Encourage the students to discuss the lesson with their parents or guardians.
- Plan a follow-up lesson to explore the impact of state creation on Nigeria's development.