Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term - Junior Secondary School 2

TERM: 2nd TERM

SUBJECT: CIVIC EDUCATION                                

CLASS:  JSS 2

REFERENCE

• Fundamentals of Civic Education for Basic 8 by Sola Akinyemi.
• Fundamentals of Civic Education for Basic 8 Workbook by Sola Akinyemi.

WEEK FOUR AND FIVE

TOPIC: HUMAN RIGHTS AND RULE OF LAW

Human rights are freedoms established by customs or international agreements that impose a standard of conduct on people. Some of the basic human rights are as follows:

1. Right to life.
2. Right to freedom of speech.
3. Right to fair hearing.
4. Right to association.
5. Right to own property.
6. Right to free movement.

EVALUATION

Mention three human rights.

These rights are vital towards the maintenance of law and order. However, they are to be protected from every form of oppression or assault. These are ways by which individuals protect the rights of the citizens.

1. Representing the affected person in court: This is usually done by human rights activists notably the late legal icon Chief GaniFawehinmi. A good example was the case of late Dele Giwa which he pursued for many years before his death.
2. Writing in print media: Humanrights abuses are often exposed through extensive writing in newspapers and magazines.
3. Special programmes on electronic media: Some electronic media show some programmes which help individual to get exposed to cases of human rights abuses at work, neighbourhood and the community at large.

Other means of protecting human rights and the rule of law are:

1. Hunger strike: Some individuals show their anger by going without food for a period of time until a change is affected. This is common in the continent of Asia. They do this so as to effect a change in government.
2. Protest marches: This is another way of showing displeasure over particular situations. This is done through peaceful demonstrations and using placards to show that they are not happy about. In Nigeria, the likes of Chief Ganifawehinmi and Dr. BekoRansome-Kuti, had led such protests especially against the military regime.
3. Media coverage: The mass media like the radio, television, newspapers, press conferences have been used to  fight human rights’ abuses. Journalists have also used the pen to fight military oppression.

EVALUATION

State three ways human rights are protected by individuals or group.

OTHER GROUPS THAT PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS OF CITIZENS

There are other organized bodies that assist in protecting the human rights and the rule of law in Nigeria. They are as follows:

1. Trade Unions: Groups like Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), form the major stakeholders in this union. They pursue common aims and objectives for the benefit of their members. They are under the umbrella of the Nigeria Labour Congress. The Nigeria Labour Congress has been at the forefront of the fight against human rights abuse in Nigeria.
2. Students’ Union: They are also at  the forefront of the fight against policies that affect the Nigerian students. Policies like the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP),  increase in pump price of petroleum products are some of the things they usually fight against.
3. Civic Liberty Organization: It is the foremost indigenous rights’ organization in Nigeria. It is a non-profit, non-governmental human rights initiative.

GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION QUESTIONS

1. Mention three groups that protect human rights of citizens.
2. Mention two personalities known for their human rights activities.
3. What is honesty?              
4. Mention three attributes of honesty

READING ASSIGNMENT

Fundamentals of Civic Education for Basic 8 by Sola Akinyemipgs86-89

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. The full meaning of NUT is____. A. National Universal Tools B. Nigeria Union of Teachers C. National Union of Teachers D. Non Universal Treaty
2. These are organized bodies that assist in protecting human rights in Nigeria except_____. A. Trade Union B. CLO C. NFF. D. Students’ Union
3. These are basic rights of human except_____. A. right to life B. right to own property C. Right to  free food D. right to free movement
4. The umbrella name for trade unions is____. A. Nigeria Labour Congress B. Group Action C. Nigeria Conservative Fund D. Occupy Trade Act
5. The mass media comprises the following except_____. A. Television B. Magazine C. Radio D. Pen

THEORY

1. State three human rights of man.
2. Mention two human rights activists in Nigeria.