SS TWO FIRST TERM CIVIC EDUCATION NOTE

SCHEME OF WORK

JOB CREATION AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION

POLITICAL APATHY

POPULAR PARTICIPATION

WHY PEOPLE DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN POLITICS

WHY LEADERS FAIL TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF THEIR FOLLOWERS

HOW POPULAR ORGANIZATIONS ARE FORMED

LIMITATIONS TO FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS

JOB CREATION AND POVERTY ALLIEVIATION

One major problem that characterizes developing and under-developed countries like
Nigeria is poverty – a condition of lack or scarcity of resources, material possession
and other basic necessities of life or even productive ideas. It also refers to death of
resources or facilities that are necessary for a minimum living condition or welfare of
a person, group of persons, family or citizens of a given state. In Nigeria,
unemployment has been identified as one of the major factors responsible for
poverty. Poverty has serious implications for a people’s standard of living hence; it is
a major index / criteria in accessing the extent of a nation’s development.

Poverty is either absolute or relative. Absolute poverty describes a situation where a

person cannot afford or access the basic necessities of life such as food, clothing,
shelter, health care etc. on the other hand relative poverty arises from a comparism
of the person, family or nation to another such that even among the rich we will see
the richer and the super rich e.g. Mike Adenuga, Femi Otedola, Bill Gate.

To this end, job creation or employment generation have been found to be important
tools to poverty alleviation and reduction. Employment creation refers to the process
by which responsible groups of private individuals make deliberate by which people
can be employed. Once they are employed a source of income is opened and they
can be sure of being capable of satisfying at least their basic needs and hence
escape from absolute poverty.

FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT IN NIGERIA

 ILLITERACY:
Literacy refers to the ability to read, write and recognize letters as well as
interprete words. In this 21st century that we are in, the demand for formality
 especially in Government / private bureaucracy have necessitated literacy as a
condition or criteria for gainful employment. This is because there is now a
greater need for more than ever to document and read at the work place.
 LOW LEVEL OF INDUSTRIALIZATION:
The low presence or availability of industrial outfit is also a major factor
responsible for employment in Nigeria. Hence even when there are literate and
qualified citizens, the absence of work or organizations may flee them
employed.
 OVER POPULATION:
when there is massive increase in the number of citizens of a country without
commemorate / proportionate increase in job opportunities, the citizens are
also likely to be unemployed.
 RURAL – URBAN DRIFT:
this refers to the movement of people from the rural areas into the urban
centre over a given period of time. This is usually based on the belief that
greener pastures exist in the urban centre and so they (rural dwellers) who do
not always have the minimum qualification for employment end up adding to
the problem of unemployment in such cities.
 CULTURALLY BIAS EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES:
By this we mean that certain principles or employment are being influenced or
dictated by the cultural beliefs and practices of the society in which such
employment principles operate. This is especially true in African societies
where the cultural tends to be more conservative than it is in other parts of the
world. For example, certain occupations are considered as the exclusive
reserves of the male folks, while others are seen as a domain that is reserved
only for the women.
 PAROCHIAL PRACTICES IN INVESTMENT AND EMPLOYMENT DUE TO
LACK OF TRUST:
By this, it is implied that most people who have the resources to invest may
not be willing to do so nor employ peoples to carry on business on their behalf
simply because of lack of trust.

HOW TO GUARANTEE AN EFFICIENT EMPLOYMENT GENERATING SYSTEM IN

NIGERIA

 PROVISION OF FREE EDUCATION:

Most people who are unemployed are those who do not have the necessary
certification or education due to reasons which may include inability to afford
the high cost of education. If education can be made free in Nigeria especially
the youths can be empowered with knowledge and skills which makes them
employable.
 ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION:
By this we mean that Government should look for alternative ways of
generating income for the nation so that other sectors as the economy can also
be developed. This would mean that attention be shifted away from oil
(petroleum) as it is today in Nigeria and other actions e.g. tourism, agriculture,
 science and technology etc can be developed for productive ventures that will
in turn guarantee employment generation.
 RURAL DEVELOPMENT:
This refers to the discouragement of bias against rural areas in developmental
programs and policies. If the rural areas so developed by their counterpart
urban cities, rural dwellers will not see any reason for migrating into the cities.
This is because “the better life they are looking for in the cities is there in their
immediate environment – social amenities, infrastructure as well as socio-
political opportunities.
 DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES:
Small scale industries are a class of productive enterprise that require
relatively low amount of resources to setup. If these can be encouraged and
promoted in Nigeria, the implication is that more opportunity for employment
will be opened.
 YOUTH EMPOWERMENT:
By this we mean that the youths of a nation should be educated on the need to
empower themselves through skills acquisition. This can be done by developing
their talents and creativity and also learning new skills. This will also reduce
drastically, the level of unemployment in Nigeria.
 FISCAL POLICY:
By this we mean that Government should come up with schemes, programs,
policies or laws that would promote economic growth, employment generation,
job creation, job alleviation and equitable distribution of income.

POLITICAL APATHY

As citizens of the state, bound by an oath of allegiance (as well as other things such
as the National pledge in Nigeria), we are duty bound to actively participate in any
public or political activity which often are part of the duties, responsibilities or
obligation that one owes to his / her state. Carrying out these, make us responsible
as well as patriotic citizens of our state. We are then able to make useful contributing
in running the affairs of our state and indeed partnering in developing the nation.
This way, we will not be leaving others to take serious decisions that affect our state
and our lives.

To this end, political apathy can be described as a situation where an individual or

citizens of a state is / are not interested or enthusiastic about the political activities
that go on within their states (vote, registration, election, public hearing, population
census as well as other civic issues including protest against wrong government
policies. Political apathy can be said to be a ‘disease’ of democracy which hampers
or discourages popular participation.

REASONS FOR POLITICAL APATHY

 BAD GOVERNANCE:
majority of the citizens in a country like Nigeria and some other African
 countries are disappointed in the extent of bad governance in their
democracies. People feel dejected that after giving so much trust to their
leaders by voting for them. The same leaders end up failing in their electoral
promises and responsibility to the citizenry. Corruption and lack of
accountability is a major feature of such democracies as Nigeria’s. Ultimately,
the people get discouraged and come to believe that their one voice or vote
may not make any difference.
 HIGH LEVEL OF INSECURITY AND ELECTORAL VIOLENCE:
Most electoral processes in Africa especially Nigeria is characterized by thugery
and other forms of violence coupled with general insecurity in the state. This
singular factor discourages the citizenry from coming out in mass to participate
in civic and socio-political issues that affect them. Ultimately, this results in
political apathy.
 UNFULFILLED POLITICAL PROMISES:
As part of the electoral process in most democratic states where political
parties and their candidates have the opportunity of expressing or enlightening
the people about the plans, programs and promises which they (political
parties) are usually contained in the manifesto and expressed through different
campaign force. More often than not however, the candidate elect (winner of
the election) ends up not living to their promises and this makes the people
apathetic in subsequent elections and other democratic processes.
 ELECTORAL MALPRACTICES:
By this we refer to rigging, stealing of ballot boxes and other unethical criminal
manipulations that take place in the electoral process of most developing
democracies. This gives the people a general impression that their “one vote”
would not make any difference nor change anything. Hence, they opt to hold
their peace instead of going out to perform their civic duties part of which is
voting during elections. Again, this is political apathy.
 LACK OF AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY:
The judiciary in most developing polities or democracies in many African
countries have seen “toothless bulldogs” who are a mere appendage or an
extension of the executive arm of Government. Thus, it is believed that even
when some parties or individuals are dissatisfied with the electoral outcomes,
adequate redress may not be gotten as justice and fairness are seen as
strangers in many democracies. People therefore don’t feel encouraged to
challenge manipulated electoral processes hence, political apathy.
 MILITARY INCURSION INTO POLITICS:
The political history of most African nations has been ‘battered’ by the impact
of the military that have constantly toppled legitimate government enacted
repressive laws on the people. This has had adverse effects on the level of
political and civic participation, generating a culture of a politically apathetic
people. Although, most African nations have now embraced democracy, effect
of their military past in their present political system cannot be
overemphasized.

10 FORMS OF POLITICAL APATHY

  Refusal to register to vote
 Refusal to crosscheck names on the voters’ register
 Refusal to vote during elections
 Refusal to contest elections
 Refusal to form or belong to political parties
 Non-involvement in election campaign
 Refusal to participate in protests and demonstrations

Refusal to support any candidate or political party

POPULAR PARTICIPATION

For democracy, which is the best form of government to work citizens must be willing

to actively participate in politics. All or at least majority of the citizens are expected

to participate in the running of their government and the polity of their state –

Popular participation. This makes government and polity of a state sustainable and

acceptable to the people. When majority of the people do not participate actively in

politics, a few influential individuals and groups simply hijack or cease the

opportunity to take over the polity and begin to project their own selfish interest,

hence making the democracy unhealthy – political apathy.

To this end, popular participation entails getting greater population of the people
with different political opinions and interests from every section of a country to be
involved in activities aimed at getting and using political power as well as influencing
decisions that affect them.

According to L.W Milbrath 1965, participation in politics may take different forms.
These include

i) Gathering of information through reading of newspapers, listening to radio

and watching of television etc.
ii) Voting for candidate with credible personality n good manifestoes.
iii) Engaging in political discussing within our community and representing the
community as opinion spoke person
iv) Wearing of badges and pasting stickers on windscreen of cars
v) Writing petition against bad government
vi) Attending political rallies n meetings
vii) Seeking for, contesting and holding public offices.

Milbrath also identifies degree of political participation, these include:

 i) Holding public offices
ii) Being candidate for public office
iii) Participating in political campaign process
iv) Initiating political discussion
v) Voting
vi) Exposing one-self to political stimuli.
vii) Making monetary contribution to support party candidate
viii) Attending meetings and rallies
ix) Becoming an active member in a political party
x) Soliciting political fund

WHY PEOPLE DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN POLITICS

A number of factors account as to why citizens of a state may largely refuse to

participate in their government and politics. Some of these factors include:

1. IGNORANCE:
By this, it is implied that non-participation of majority of the citizens in a state
can be attributed to their inadequate or insufficient understanding of the
meaning and demands as well as impact of their contribution to the political
process of their state. A situation where people have very myopic or shallow
understanding of polities (e.g. in Nigeria where an average person believes
that politic is a dirty game), they are not likely to participate in politics.
However, we must understand that even politics is bad, it shouldn’t be left to
bad people, this will make it worse but rather the good people should
participate in making Nigerian government and politics better. The citizenry
must therefore be enlightened that politics in its selfish is not bad but the
players.
2. ILLITERACY:
As it is most political businesses are conducted in highly formalized manners
using the official means of communication (English in the case of Nigeria)
where majority of the citizens are not literate enough to fit into the political
system then we may find a non-participant political culture-political apathy.
This is especially true in a country like Nigeria where close to half of the
population are still illiterates.
3. DISCRIMINATION:
By this, we imply preference bias for or against some sectors of the population.
Usually by the majority against the minority. An example is what we find in
many states in Nigeria where indigenes of the state capital tend to dominate
political opportunities at the detriment of the other parts of the state; or even
nationality where some geo-political zones want to dominate.
4. POVERTY:
The high level of poverty in most third world countries is a factor as to why
people don’t participate in politics. This is because a capital list democracy is a
major factor that is imagined in the third world countries and given its
 expensive nature, the majority poor are not usually buoyant to participate
actively in politics, therefore such poor people feel that the time for politicking
should be utilized in productive rent that can boast their income. Hence, they
do not participate in politics.
5. ELECTORAL MALPRACTICE AND VIOLENCE

There are other miscellaneous obstacles that can also make people not want to
participate in politics where polling booths and other political materials are usually
insufficient, interested people‘s names are omitted from the voters registration.
There is a restricted / limited franchise may warrant discouraging people from
participating in the political affairs of their state.

WHY LEADERS FAILS TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF THEIR FOLLOWERS

Especially in a democracy where government is believed to have one of the highest

levels of legitimacy, leadership is seen as a trust. Thus, the electorates try as much
as they can so only credible, trustworthy people with proven integrity are allowed the
mandate of holding leadership positions. The prospective candidates also competed
for the various seats through different stages of the electoral system, at each of
which they prove themselves to be worthy of the people’s mandate. Thus, the people
confer on them (leaders) their legitimacy by voting.

Despite all promises by the contending candidates and their political parties as well
as intensive scrutiny by the electoral system, many leaders still end up betraying the
trust that is bestowed on them by their followers. The following factors can be
attributed as to why leaders fail their followers.

1. SELFISHNESS ON THE PART OF THE INDIVIDUAL LEADER:

By this we refer to an innate drive or trait of self-centeredness and greed that
is part of the personality of many leaders. This leaves them unconcerned,
uninterested and nonchalant as far as the good of the people is concerned. As
a result of this, such leaders exhibit different behaviour such as corruption,
embezzlement of public funds, lack of accountability and transparency. Thus,
they are only concerned with their pockets and those of their family and end
up failing their numerous followers.
2. INTERNATIONAL INFLUENCE:
By this factor, we mean that many leaders of third world countries like Nigeria
are still largely tied to the ‘aprons’ of their former colonizers – Lord countries.
As a result and of this, they tend to make policies and run programs that align
with the interest of and ideologies of their own people. Where this does not
have favourable implications for the receiving countries, then the leader will
have failed their people.
3. “GOD-FATHERISM”:
This implies the situation in most third world countries politics where certain
individuals become institutionalized as kingmakers who have sole authority to
determine and appoint who holds which political position. Usually, a good
 chunk of the state allocation to maintain these ‘institutions’ in the name of
political godfathers so that apart from imposing his personal wish on the state,
the political godfather also assumes recurrent liability that is constantly
service by the coffers.
4. PARTY INTEREST:
As it were, political parties serve as a platform by which candidates assume
leadership positions. Being a ‘mother’ to the leader, the political party tends to
exert great in influence on the incumbent. Even where there are imperatives
to take certain actions or operate certain policies. The leader tends to make
sure that such does not contravene the ideology stand of his political party.
The leader and the party therefore appear to be fused in running the
government of the state so long as they remain in power.
5. POLITICAL APATHY:
Where the majority of the people in a state are politically apathetic, the
government of the day may not feel any compulsion to advance the course of
the people. For him, the citizens are not conscious enough to understand or
not if the leader is not living to expectation, they may not be critical enough to
oppose a bad government / leader. Thus, whether or not the leaders fail it
doesn’t attract punishment.
6. POVERTY:
The high level of poverty in third-world countries does not make the people
expect so much from their leaders so that the leaders usually lack the concept
of good performance of their administration.
7. LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
In most third world country politics, leaders hardly are compelled to give
account of their stewardship. Hence, whether they fail or not, it’s of little or no
importance.

HOW POPULAR ORGANIZATIONS ARE FORMED.

An organization refers to any group of people who are in association with each other
and working together within some structural arrangement of position and authority
to achieve set aims and objectives, whether, political, social, religious or economic.
Organizations are characterized by ideals, missions, goals and dedication on the part
of members. A popular organization therefore is one which in addition to all these is
also acceptable to the majority of the people in its environment.

As it is, the importance of popularity of an organization among the members of an

environment cannot be overemphasized, as the interaction between the duos
determines the extent of success of such organizations. Thus, organizations
generally strive in a struggle to be reckoned with by members of their society.

To this end, popular organizations have been found to have certain characteristics:

 They meet society’s need especially in the area of quality service

delivery:
 Organization tends to endear themselves to the people and also gain
acceptance, hence popular support. That is to say once members of the
society recognizes that a particular organization has the capacity and will to
meet their needs, they come to see such an organization as a friend and
partner in progress hence they therefore easily lend their assistance and
support too such organization.
 Selflessness:
This refers to the spirit of sacrifice on the part of an organization towards
members of his host community and general public by being selflessly
generous. Organizations also win the support of the people as well as general
acceptance. They express this through various corporate social responsibilities
which give the people a sense that the organization is not being selfish with
proceeds (profit) that a….. to them, but rather ploughing back part of it for the
development of the host community. This way, they also coin popular support
of the people.
 Warm Personality:
by this we mean that the leadership of an organization that will enjoy popular
support, most comprises of individuals with charismatic qualities, capable of
inspiring trust and using the hearts of the generality of the people.
 Provision of quality service:
people tend to lend their support to organizations that do not compromise
quality in their service delivery or product.
 History / Track record:
people also lend acceptance and support to an organization based on the
history of success (or failure) of an organization. Some human beings generally
like to be associated with success, it follows that successful organizations are
likely to enjoy popular support.

LIMITATIONS TO FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS

Fundamental Human rights are irreducible and inalienable to humans all over the
world that is regardless of age, tribe, set, creed or material possessions

LIMITATIONS TO FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS

As it has been noted earlier, fundamental human rights are irreducible and
inalienable to humans all over the world that is regardless of age, tribe, sex, creed or
material possessions. Human beings have certain basic irreducible privileges – civic,
political or legal which are usually enshrined in national constitutions. Chapter four of
the Nigerian constitution deals with subject of fundamental human rights.

However, these rights also have limitations which provide boundaries within which
they can be exercise and enjoyed and without which they are denied. This means
that the issue of unlimited freedom does not apply to fundamental human rights.
Thus, the right of an individual stops whenever its enjoyment or exercise becomes an
infringement to the right of other persons. To this end, we can say that the first
limitation to the right of a person is the right of other persons. For example, you can
exercise your right of freedom of expression only to the extent that it does not affect
the integrity of other people.

OTHER AREAS OF HUMAN RIGHTS LIMITATIONS INCLUDE:

 War:
Whether local (civil) or international. Wars lead to a suspension of fundamental
human rights. This is because the conflict and violence so generated makes
citizens lose their rights, as the conditions around them automatically denies
them of fundamental human rights, for instance, citizens private property
maybe destroyed, able-bodied men conscripted (forcefully recruited) into the
army and citizens subjected to hunger, torture and other in human treatment.
 State of Emergency:
This is usually declared by the government of a state whenever there is a
breach in orderliness and public peace of a state in any part of the state or
entity. Under this condition, citizens’ movement are usually restricted political
rights suspended and sometimes absolute curfew. In recent times, state of
emergency has been experienced in Ekiti and Pleateau states in Nigeria during
the regime of former president Olusegun Obasanjo.
The features of state of emergency include:
o Suspension of constitution
o Lack of freedom of speech, expression and movement
o There is slow rate of economic growth as all economic activities are
suspended.

All government activity and efforts are geared towards restoring law and order.

 Decision of the state:

As was earlier noted, fundamental human rights exist only to the extent that
the state recognizes and is ready to protect them. In some countries however,
citizens do not enjoy freedom from discrimination. For instance, in apartheid
South Africa, the enjoyment of the right to the dignity of human person by
blacks was highly limited. There are also countries where racism is seen as
legitimate since it is backed up by the ideology of such societies.

Criminal Conviction:
Even the most basic of human rights – right to life may be denied if a citizen is
sentenced to death in a law court. He may also be denied some other rights if such
person is detained by competent authority