Classwork Series and Exercises {Civic Education – SS2}: Citizens Responsibilities

SS 2 Civic Education  Week 2

Topic: Citizens Responsibilities

Content- Duties and obligations of Nigerian citizens

Duties and Obligations of Nigerian Citizens

A citizen is a legal member of a given state who possesses full constitutional, legal or natural rights in the state he or she resides. A citizen is “a person owing loyalty to and entitled by birth or naturalization to the protection of a state or union” (ibid.).

The rights of a citizen go with the responsibilities, wherever there is a right there is corresponding duty.

Civic means, “of, relating to, or belonging to a city, a citizen, or citizenship, municipal or civil society” .

Responsibility refers to “the state or quality of being responsible or something for which one is responsible such as a duty, obligation or burden” (ibid.).

Civic Responsibility is defined as the “responsibility of a citizen” (Dictionary.com). It is comprised of actions and attitudes associated with democratic governance and social participation. Civic responsibility can include participation in government, church, volunteers and memberships of voluntary associations. Actions of civic responsibility can be displayed in advocacy for various causes, such as political, economic, civil, environmental or quality of life issues.

Citizenship means “a productive, responsible, caring and contributing member of society.” (ibid.).

 Duties are responsibilities a citizen is expected to perform for the effective functioning of the state. Some of the duties and obligation of Nigerian citizens are:

1. Obedience to law and order: The citizens of the state are expected to obey the laws of the state so that orderliness can reign in the state.All the citizens should willingly and habitually obey the laws of the state. A democratic government is a government of the people themselves. Laws reflect their own will. There should not be, therefore, any hesitation in the obedience of laws.
2. Reporting of criminals: A good citizen must perform the duties of reporting law breakers or any act of lawlessness to the police. It is the duty of every citizen to lend a hand of co-operation to public officials in the discharge of their duties. Every citizen should try to remove evils and crimes from society by rendering help to the officials concerned.
   
3. National service: A good citizen should respond to the call to serve his/ her country. An example is the National youth service corps (NYSC).
4. Voting during election: This is one of the political duties of a citizen. Good citizens are to exercise their voting rights during elections. A Nigerian citizen that has attained the age of 18 is expected to vote during election.
5. Payment of taxes and rates: This is a financial obligation of a citizen. Good citizens are expected to pay their taxes at the appropriate time. This will help he government to discharge their duties correctly.
6. Loyalty to the state: It is the responsibility of Nigerian citizens to be firm and show constant support to their government. Your loyalty must not be divided.
   
7. Resistance: It is more or less a moral duty. It is the duty of a good citizen to resist injustice from any quarter. If the government is unjust, it may also be resisted.
8. Respect for national symbols: Nigerian national symbols are the national anthem, national flag, Nigerian currency, the coat of arms etc. All of these needed to be respected by the citizens.
9. Public Spirit: Every citizen should be public spirited. He should not seek his self-interest and should always be ready to contribute his mite to the welfare of society.
10. Honest exercise of Franchise: Vote is a sacred trust in the hands of the citizens. It should always be used judiciously. Suitable represen­tatives should be sent to the legislatures. A wrong use of vote may result in a bad government.
11. Work: Every able-bodied citizen should work and try to add something to the social fund. Idlers are a parasite on the society. Work brings in wealth and prosperity in the country. In countries like Russia work is considered to be a legal duty.
12. Tolerance: Every citizen is expected to be tolerant towards others. Their religions beliefs “Do unto others what you wish to be done by,” should be the motto before every citizen.
13. Community Services: A good citizen should volunteer and always try to offer whatever help you can for the community in which he or she is living in.

Your Rights

1. To vote and hold public office
2. To say what you want in speech or writing
3. To practice your religion
4. To have a fair trial
5. To be protected by the Government
6. To have privacy in your home and private life.

Duties

1. Obeying the law
2. Serving on a jury or a witness
3. Defending your country
4. Paying taxes
5. Attending of School (Education)

Responsibilities

1. Common Good – The well being of all members of the society
2. Holding office
3. Campaigning
4. Participating in Political processes
5. Serving your community

Test and Exercise

1. A legal member of a given state who has the who possesses full constitutional, legal and natural right in the state where he resides is known as (a) owner (b) citizenship (c) citizen (d) head of state. ans (c)
2. ———- are expected responsibilities citizens are to perform for the development of their states. (a) Duties (b) offence (c) responsibilities (d) all of the above. ans (a)
3. All of these are duties of citizens except (a) obedience to law and order (b) payment of taxes and rates (c) disregarding the law of the land (d) showing loyalty to the state. ans (c)
4. To be loyal means to (a) bend down when the president is speaking (b) to be at alert when there is crisis (c) to be available for civil war (d) to be firm and show constant support to the government of your state. ans (d)
5. All of these are part of the Nigeria national symbols except (a) the national anthem (b) the Nigerian coat of arms (c) the lines on the Nigeria roads (d) the national currency. ans (c)