Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term - Senior Secondary School 1

SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT

CLASS:  SS1

DATE:

TERM: 3RD TERM

• REFERENCE
• Essential Government by C.C. Dibie.
• Comprehensive Government by J.U. Anyaele.

WEEK THREE

TOPIC: CITIZENSHIP

CONTENT

1. Ways of Safeguarding Citizen’s Rights.
2. Limitations to a Citizen’s Rights.
3. Differences between a Citizen and Non-citizen.

WAYS OF SAFEGUARDING CITIZEN’S RIGHTS 

1. Independent Judiciary: An independent and impartial judiciary which a citizen can run to for protection whenever his rights are infringed upon must be put in place.
2. Freedom of the Press: If freedom of the press is guaranteed, the press will fearlessly protect and safeguard the rights of the citizen.
3. Democracy: The rights of the citizen will be protected and safeguarded better in a democratic state than in a totalitarian and fascist state.
4. Entrenchment: A clear declaration of the fundamental human rights in the constitution is a necessary condition for the protection of a citizen. 
5. Peace and Order: An atmosphere of peace and order in a country is necessary condition for the protection of a citizen’s rights.
6. Law: Supremacy and existence of law to maintain the rights of individual and their corresponding obligation.
7. Literacy Level: The illiteracy level of the citizens should be improved upon. For example, through organising adult education classes.
8. Reduction of Poverty level: There should be a drastic reduction of poverty level in the society.

LIMITATIONS TO A CITIZEN’S RIGHTS 

1. Slander and Libel: The law of slander, libel and sedition limit the rights of a citizen to freedom of expression.
2. Conviction: A citizen who is convicted and imprisoned may lose his voting rights and movement while in prison.
3. Emergency Period: Declaration of dusk to dawn curfew in times of emergency is another condition that may limit the rights of a citizen especially freedom of movement.
4. State Security: Citizens may be denied of their rights to join secret societies or associations, if they threaten the state security. It is a limitation to freedom of association.
5. Property: A citizen’s rights to ownership of property may be infringed upon if government considers such property like land useful for developmental purposes.
6. Trespass: A citizen has no right to trespass into another person’s property. This is a limitation to freedom of movement.
7. Rights to Life: A citizen may be denied of his right to life if he is condemned to death as a result of murder, armed robbery etc.
8. The right of a citizen to vote and to be voted for in any given election may be denied such citizen if he is a banned politician because of his past role.
9. Banning of political activities in a country is tantamount to denial of a citizen’s rights.

EVALUATION QUESTIONS

List 5 ways by which the rights of a citizen can be safeguarded

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CITIZEN AND NON CITIZEN

1. A non citizen is not a legal member of a state, whereas a citizen is a legal member of a state.
2. A citizen owes obligation to the state, while a non citizen does not owe any duty or obligation to the state.
3. A citizen can serve the country in any capacity, a non citizen cannot.
4. A citizen can work anywhere in the country, while a non citizen requires resident permit.
5. A citizen must show loyalty to the state , while a non citizen may not.
6. A non-citizen cannot vote or be voted for in any political election; a citizen can vote and be voted for.
7. A citizen can take up any job of his choice, while that of a non – citizen is not.
8. The rights of a citizen are guaranteed, while that of a non citizen is not.

EVALUATION QUESTIONS

1. Mention 5 differences between a citizen and a non-citizen.
2. Why is a non- citizen not allowed to vote in a country?

GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION QUESTIONS

1. Highlight 5 ways by which the rights of a citizen can be limited.
2. How can emergency situation limit the rights of the citizens of a country?
3. How the law of libel and sedition can limits the rights of a citizen?
4.  Mention 5 sources of a constitution.
5. Highlight 5 features of a constitution.

READING ASSINGMENT

Comprehensive Government pages 74-76

Essential Government pages 89-91

WEEKEND ASSINGMENT

1. A Nigerian citizen can be deprived of his citizenship if he is (a) married to a foreigner (b) holding a dual citizenship (c) an armed robber (d) an ex-convict
2. Which of this is not a civic obligation of a citizen (a) freedom of conscience and religion (b) voting during election (c) obedience to law (d) reporting criminal case
3. Citizenship may be changed by (a) Birth (b) conviction (c) renunciation (d) confession
4. The limitation to the right to life can be found (a) among the people (b) in the case of a convicted person (c) in the government (d) in the church
5. The rights of citizen are (a) the claims he can make against others (b) claims the law allows him make against the state (c) his claims against the state (d) his claims against the people 

THOERY

1. What are the limitations to the rights of the citizen’s of a country.
2. How can these rights be protected?