RIGHTS AS CITIZENS OF NIGERIA Lesson Note
REFERENCE: 1 Peter 2:13–17, Romans 13:1–7, Matthew 22:21, Galatians 3:28, Acts 5:29
This SS1 CRS lesson note covers RIGHTS AS CITIZENS OF NIGERIA for First Term, Week 5.
Lesson Note
REFERENCE: 1 Peter 2:13–17, Romans 13:1–7, Matthew 22:21, Galatians 3:28, Acts 5:29
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
1. Explain the meaning of a good citizen.
2. Narrate good citizenship
3. Identify the rights of a Nigerian citizen.
4. Explain the responsibilities of a Christian as a child of God and Nigerian citizens
A. INTRODUCTION
Meaning of a Good Citizen
A good citizen is a person who loves and respects his or her country, obeys lawful rules and regulations, respects the rights of others and performs civic responsibilities for the development of the nation.
Good Citizenship According to 1 Peter 2:13–17
According to Peter in is epistle said a good citizen is he who for lord’s sake, subjects himself to every human authority or institution.
He performs his civic duties and responsibility promptly
He respects the authority or the rulers who have been appointed by God to punish evildoers and praise those who do the right thing. By doing this, the good citizen out put to shame the ignorance of foolish men.
Peter also taught Christians to:
Live as free people but not use freedom as a pretext to do evil. But he should live as a servant of God. Above all, he should respect everyone, love the Christian community, fear God and honour the rulers and the kings.
B. RIGHT AS A NIGERIA CITIZEN
Rights are the freedoms and privileges that citizens are entitled to enjoy under the law.
Some important rights include:
*Right to life – Every citizen has the right to life and should be protected by law.
*Right to personal liberty – Citizens should not be unlawfully detained or deprived of their freedom.
*Right to dignity – Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and should not be subjected to degrading treatment.
*Right to fair hearing – A person accused of an offence has the right to a fair hearing according to law.
*Right to freedom of expression – Citizens have the right to express their lawful opinions.
*Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion – Citizens may practise their religion according to the law.
*Right to peaceful assembly and association – Citizens may peacefully associate with others.
*Right to movement – Citizens have the right to move freely within Nigeria, subject to lawful restrictions.
*Right to participate in government – Eligible citizens have the right to participate in the political process.
*Right to own property – Citizens have legal protection concerning ownership of property.
C. RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHRISTIAN AS A NIGERIA CITIZEN
A Christian citizen has responsibilities both to God and the nation.
1. Obey the Law
2. Respect Authorities
3. Pray for the Nations
4. Promote Peace
5. Protect Public Property
6. Pay Lawful Taxes
7. Vote Responsibly
8. Help Others
9. Reject Corruption
10. Defend Justice and Truth
Evaluation
OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS
1. A good citizen is a person who ______.
A. disobeys all laws
B. respects the law and the rights of others
C. destroys public property
D. promotes violence
2. According to 1 Peter 2:13–17, Christians should ______.
A. reject every authority
B. submit to legitimate human institutions
C. disobey all government laws
D. avoid society
3. Which of the following is a right of a Nigerian citizen?
A. Right to destroy public property
B. Right to life
C. Right to commit crime
D. Right to disobey the law
4. Which of the following is a responsibility of a good citizen?
A. Paying lawful taxes
B. Destroying public facilities
C. Engaging in violence
D. Supporting corruption
5. A Christian citizen should respect ______.
A. only members of his family
B. legitimate authorities
C. criminals
D. no one
6. Which of the following promotes good citizenship?
A. Tribalism
B. Corruption
C. Peace and unity
D. Violence
7. According to 1 Peter 2:17, Christians should ______.
A. respect everyone
B. hate foreigners
C. disobey God
D. promote discrimination
8. Christians should obey human authorities as long as the authorities require ______.
A. sinful behaviour
B. lawful conduct
C. corruption
D. violence
9. When a human command directly contradicts God's command, Christians should ______.
A. obey sin
B. obey God
C. reject Christianity
D. encourage violence
10. One importance of good citizenship is that it ______.
A. promotes national development
B. encourages corruption
C. causes disorder
D. promotes hatred
Theory Questions
1. What is good citizenship? Explain five rights and five responsibilities of a Christian as a Nigerian citizen.
2. Narrate Peter's teaching on good citizenship in 1 Peter 2:13–17