CIVIC EDUCATION AND ETHICAL REVOLUTION IN NIGERIA

CIVIC EDUCATION AND ETHICAL REVOLUTION IN NIGERIA
BY:


FIDEL AGU


The NEED TO re-engineer the process of INCULCATING civic education in our primary and secondary schools has become very OBVIOUS in the face of FAST dwindling national consciousness, social harmony and patriotic zeal. As far back as the 1980s, it became painfully evident that the lack of civic education and patriotic orientation had led to disorientation in schools and the larger society. The consequences were being felt at all strata of our society.

That was probably, why the Political Bureau set up by the Babangida administration recommended, in March 1987, the establishment of a Directorate for Social Mobilization MEMSER which eventually transformed into the National Orientation Agency NOA. Events of the recent past have indicated that Nigeria is facing the threat of loosing its much cherished sense of nationhood, cultural identity and indeed, hospitable spirit.

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The prevalence of trend of corruption, indiscipline, disrespect for both elders and the rule of law, indifference to duty are some of the manifestations of negative trends in the Nigerian society. There is therefore need for urgent value re-orientation because of their far reaching impact on national development. In all these, the school can not be left out.

The efforts of the National Orientation Agency and the National Technical Committee on Civic Education in initiating the writing of textbooks on Civic Education for Nigerian schools should be commended. The importance of Civic Education in the entire social re-engineering process cannot be over-emphasized especially in our country’s desire to further deepen democracy, encourage the qualitative participation of the average Nigerian in the process of governance well as promoting people driven democracy.

Furthermore, it underscores government’s commitment to address the issue of ethics and values as well as the socialization of Nigerian children through citizenship education.

The recent botched bombing of a US airliner by a young Nigerian is a challenge to the nation particularly in this regard. The incidence has among other issues thrown up the question of our national value system. Hardly would it have been fathomed that a Nigerian would want to embark on suicide mission.

More challenging is the fact that the misguided Youngman got the radical orientation from foreign countries where he had gone to school. Despite that the NOA and other relevant agencies have a serious task before then in unraveling and finding ways of preventing re-occurrence because no matter how we look at it the mud is on us as a nation. Indeed, civic education has the potential of producing a labour force with the right kind of value that will enhance industrial growth and development.

To say the least, this ethical reform programme is a critical element in the Human Capital component of the President’s Seven-Point-Agenda. Speaking at the public presentation of the books in Abuja, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Alhaji Idi Faruk said the next phase will be the capacity building process for teachers who are expected to carry out the appropriate dissemination of the contents of the books in the classrooms.

To this end, teachers are very critical to the success of this bold initiative. Theirs is to inculcate the right kind of values through effective teaching of civic education. It is gratifying therefore to note that the National Orientation Agency working in collaboration with other members of the Technical Committee will undertake a capacity building programme for teachers at all levels for the sustainability of Civic Education in the Nigerian School Curriculum.

It should ALSO be noted that the evolvement and sustenance of appropriate levels of social and national consciousness is the responsibility of all AND sundry. While government provides the opportunities for individuals and groups to make valid contributions to reviving a value-based nationalistic spirit, it is important to note that education and conscious positive information sharing hold the key to ensuring that citizens exhibit acceptance standards of socialization. IT IS THEREFORE A JOB FOR ALL. Parents should also be an integral part of the process as they constitute the first socialization contact for children.