History - Junior Secondary 1 - Niger Delta states

TERM: 3^RD TERM

WEEK: 9 and 10

CLASS: Junior Secondary School 1

AGE: 12 years

DURATION: 40 minutes

DATE:

SUBJECT: History

TOPIC:  Niger Delta states

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, the learners should be able to

1. ) Locate the Niger Delta states on the map
2. ) Discuss the origin of the Niger Delta states
3. ) Describe the socio-political structure of the Niger Delta people
4. ) State the economic activities of the Niger Delta people

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Identification, explanation, questions and answers, demonstration, story-telling, videos from source

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Basic History for Junior Secondary Schools 1 by Ijeoma E.O

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES:

WEEK 9

NOTE

NIGER DELTA STATES

The Niger Delta region is located in the southern part of Nigeria and is made up of nine states: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers. This area surrounds the Niger River’s delta, where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean, providing a network of waterways, creeks, and mangrove forests. It is one of Nigeria’s most resource-rich regions due to its extensive oil reserves.

Origin of the Niger Delta States
The Niger Delta region has long been inhabited by various ethnic groups, including the Ijaw, Itsekiri, Urhobo, Ogoni, Efik, and Ibibio peoples, among others. These groups have their distinct histories and cultures, with some, like the Ijaw, claiming ancestral ties to the earliest riverine settlers. In the 20th century, administrative restructuring under colonial and post-independence Nigerian governments formally organized the area into states. The discovery of oil in the 1950s dramatically increased the region's economic importance, shaping its identity as Nigeria's oil-producing area and driving demands for resource control and development.

EVALUATION:

1. Describe the role of traditional rulers in the Niger Delta. How do they influence community life and governance?
2. Explain the functions of the council of chiefs and elders in Niger Delta societies. What impact do these councils have on decision-making?
3. Discuss the contributions of youth and women’s associations in the Niger Delta. How do these groups support social cohesion and local development?
4. Analyze the coexistence of traditional and modern governance structures in the Niger Delta. How do these systems complement or conflict with each other?
5. Identify some challenges faced by the socio-political structure in the Niger Delta, considering its ethnic diversity and traditional leadership roles.

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively

WEEK 10

NOTE

NIGER DELTA STATES

Socio-Political Structure of the Niger Delta People
The Niger Delta people have a diverse and complex socio-political structure influenced by their varied ethnic backgrounds:

• Ethnic Kingdoms and Traditional Rulers: Many ethnic groups in the Niger Delta have traditional kingdoms and rulers, such as the Amanyanabo of the Ijaw, the Olu of Warri (Itsekiri), and the Obong of Calabar (Efik). These leaders play significant roles in cultural and community matters.
• Council of Chiefs and Elders: Community elders and chiefs advise traditional rulers and participate in local governance, dispute resolution, and cultural preservation.
• Youth and Women’s Associations: Community-based organizations, including youth and women’s associations, have historically contributed to local decision-making, economic initiatives, and social cohesion.
• Modern Governance: In addition to traditional systems, each state has its government, and local governments are structured as per Nigeria’s constitutional framework. This coexistence creates a blend of traditional and modern governance.

Economic Activities of the Niger Delta People
The Niger Delta’s economy includes a range of activities, with oil production dominating in recent decades:

• Oil and Gas Extraction: The Niger Delta is Nigeria's primary oil-producing region, with extensive petroleum extraction and refining facilities.
• Fishing: Traditional fishing is a major livelihood for the riverine communities, sustained by the numerous rivers and creeks.
• Agriculture: Crops such as cassava, yams, plantains, and oil palm are cultivated, and small-scale farming is common in non-oil-producing areas.
• Craftsmanship and Trade: Traditional crafts like canoe-building, pottery, and weaving are produced for local use and trade.
• Artisanal Oil Refining: Due to limited economic opportunities, some locals engage in artisanal or informal oil refining, despite environmental and health risks.

EVALUATION:   

1. Evaluate the impact of oil and gas extraction on the economy of the Niger Delta. How has it affected other economic activities?
2. Describe the importance of fishing to the Niger Delta people. How does it support local livelihoods?
3. Identify and discuss the main agricultural products of the Niger Delta region. How does agriculture contribute to the economy, aside from oil?
4. Explain the role of craftsmanship in the Niger Delta economy. What traditional crafts are practiced, and how do they serve the community?
5. Discuss the rise of artisanal oil refining in the Niger Delta. What are its economic benefits and environmental risks?

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively