CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION: A POTENT INSTRUMENT FOR NIGERIA NATIONAL UNITY AND STABILITY

EDUCATION

Citizenship education refers to training of individuals concerning themselves and the state by imparting social values, ethics, norms and spirit of patriotism in order to emancipate them and transform them into responsible citizens who are poised to contribute maximally for overall development of self and society. Through citizenship education, individuals acquire knowledge on how to become good citizens. Good citizens are responsible, rational and detribalized citizens who are cultured and have impeccable qualities of patriotism, nationalism and total allegiance to the state. A good citizen is an honest and upright person who shuns all forms of selfishness, corruption, egocentrism, parochialism and ethnicity, and at the same time upholds national ethics, values and attitudes with a burning desire to render selfless service. This paper provides various definitions of citizenship education as proffered by different scholars and x-rays the meaning and aims of citizenship education in Nigeria. Then, it delved into the consequences of failed citizenship education which include but not limited to precipitation of corrupt, irresponsible and non-responsive style of leadership among the leaders and production of equally corrupt and disgruntled followers with some feeling of neglect and marginalization. Such citizens pursue self and sectional interests and agenda including economic sabotage, which create an atmosphere of conflict, disunity and instability. The paper therefore recommends that for continued existence of the country, peace, unity and stability, effective citizenship education should be entrenched in the curricula for students at all levels of education. Only politicians who profess good citizenship should be allowed to occupy elective positions at all times.

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