SS 2 Civic Second term notes

WEEK ONE
POPULAR PARTICIPATION
Popular participation is the willingness and active involvement of the people in the conduct of
the affairs of the state at various levels. Popular participation is important in democracy and it
allows for effective operation and stability of the political system.

Factors that can Promote Popular Participation

1. Good governance.
2. Supremacy of the constitution.
3. Respect for human rights.
4. Mass education.
5. Enlightenment campaign.
6. Freedom of press.
7. Application of rule of law.
8. Free and fair election.

Reasons why people do not participate in politics

1. Unfulfilled political promises: People refuse to participate in public affairs due to the failure
or inability of the leaders to fulfill their promises.
2. Illiteracy: The illiterates in the society see political activities as the birthright of the educated
elite. Those who cannot read and write cannot be allowed to contest for any elective position.
Therefore, they do not see any need to be actively involved in public affairs.
3. Violence DuringElection: Many people stay from popular participation because of the
frequent violence that characterized most elections. They prefer to sit at home to avoid being
victims of violence.
4. Poverty: Money plays a major role in any political system. The cost of electioneering
campaign is high. Many good candidates cannot afford to meet this financial obligation
hence they remain at the level of mere voters.
5. Cultural/Religious Beliefs: Some religions and culture do not allow women to take active
part in public affairs. They see it as the duty of men.
6. Fear of Intimidation: Most people believe that the influential in the society could easily use
their position to intimidate anybody they perceive as a viable opposition.
7. Disability: Those who are physically challenged may not be able to participate actively in
politics even when they have the interest.
8. Military Intervention: Frequent intervention of military in the administration of the state
can create lack of interest in political affairs.
9. Election Rigging: People refuse to participate in politics because they believe their vote will
not count. Hence, they prefer to stay back and watch from far.
 WEEK TWO
HOW POPULAR ORGANIZATIONS ARE FORMED
Popular organizations are those organized groups whose membership cuts across different areas
of the society with clearly defined objectives. An example is a political party. As an organized
group, a political party is an association of people with similar political ideology whose major
objective is to contest election and gain political power in order to obtain control of government.

The formation of political party can take the following forms:

1. Socio-Cultural Organization: Many political parties started as cultural organizations. The
Action Group (AG) started as a cultural association known as EgbeOmonOduduwa while the
Northern People’s Congress (NPC) sprang up from a popular Northern cultural association
calledJamiyyaMutanemArewa.
2. Religious Organizations: Political parties can be formed based on religious beliefs and
doctrines. This is common in countries where a particular religion is predominant. Examples
of such associations are Christian Democratic Union in Germany and Muslim League in
Pakistan. Countries like Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Israel are nations where political parties
are formed based on religious beliefs.
3. Government in Power: The government in power may decide to form or create political
parties for the country. Former president, General Ibrahim Babangida formed the Social
Democratic Party (SDP) and National Republican Convention (NRC) that contested the 1993
elections.
4. Labour Organizations: Political parties can transform into a political party that seeks to
promote the interest of the organization. Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria and Workers’
Solidarity Party in Indonesia are examples.
5. Constitution: The constitution defines the party system in any state. It also determines the
requirements for the formation of any party. There are three major types of party system:
One-party, Two-party and Multi-party system.

WEEK THREE
HUMAN RIGHTS
Human rights are the inalienable rights and privileges enjoyed by the citizens of a state as
codified in the constitution. Such rights include right to life, right to dignity of human person,
right to personal liberty, right to freedom of expression and the press, right to freedom of
movement, right to fair hearing, right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, right to
vote and be voted for, right to private and family life, etc.
LIMITATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Human rights can be restricted for the overall good of the citizens and the country at large in the
following ways:
1. A citizen may be denied some of his rights if he is detained by a court of law.
2. A citizen’s right to life may be denied if he is condemned to death by the law court as a
result of murder, armed robbery, etc.
3. Right to life is also restricted by the law which forbids a citizen from killing himself or
herself.
4. Right to fair hearing cannot be exercised beyond the highest court which is the Supreme
Court in Nigeria.
5. Right to private property may be restricted by the right of the state to compulsorily
acquire private property for public use.
6. Declaration of dusk to dawn curfew in periods of emergency or chaos may limit the right
of a citizen such as freedom of movement.
7. The police in enforcing law and order can ban public assembly and demonstrations which
will deny a citizen his rights to freedom of association and assembly.
8. A citizen suffering from insanity or contagious disease may be deprived his rights to
safeguard the rights of others.
9. The court can also restrict the movement of a citizen if he/she has a serious case pending
in court.
10. Rights to freedom of expression and the press are restricted by the law that prevents
individuals from saying or publishing statement that could damage the personality of
others (laws of slander and libel).
11. Some public office holders such as the president, governor, parliamentarians,
ambassadors, judges cannot be sued while in office because they enjoy protection of the
law called ‘immunity clause’
12. Existence of military rule or an unpopular dictatorial government can lead to restriction
of citizens’ rights.

WEEK FOUR
EMERGENCY
Emergency can be defined as urgent situations that require the suspension of the constitution in
order to restore law and order. During periods of emergency government institutions such as
legislature, executive and judiciary may not be able to carry out their regular functions and
citizens may be restricted of their human rights until the emergency is lifted.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING EMERGENCY PERIOD?

1 Partial or temporal suspension of the constitution.
2 The principles of rule of law may be ignored.
3. Movement may be restricted to certain areas or hours of the day.
4. Some arrests can be carried out without any warrant.
5. There may be restriction of freedom of expression and the press.
6. Human rights may be violated for the interest of security.
7. It can lead to involvement of military in politics.
WAYS OF REDUCING EMERGENCY
1. Respect for Constitution: A situation where people have respect for the constitution and
laws of the land there will be reduction in emergency cases.
2. Promotion of Human Rights: Respect for human rights in conduct and relationship with
other people will reduce emergency cases in the society.
3. Good Government: A situation where the government is responsive and responsible to
the people there may not be any need for emergency.
4. Socio-Economic Development: The provision of basic infrastructure can reduce the
causes of emergency. Where there is socio-economic development people are able to live
in harmony with one another thereby promoting peace and orderliness.
5. Public Enlightenment: People should be educated on the need to promote the social
wellbeing of the society. They should be taught their civic responsibilities to the
government and the society at large.
6. Respect for Democratic Principles: A state where people have respect for democratic
principles such as rule of law, popular participation and fundamental rights there will
reduction of emergency cases.

WEEK FIVE
DRUG USE AND ABUSE I
A drug is a substance or a mixture used for the prevention or cure of ailment.
Drug abuse is defined as the non-medical use of drugs that can alter mood or perception and
have the ability to make the user want to continue to use the drugs in spite of health, social and
physical impairment.
Common drugs that can be abused are: Tobacco, Marijuana, Alcohol, Cocaine, Indian hemp, etc
A drug is said to be abused when it is taken without doctor’s or medical prescription. Below are
some of the ways drugs can be abused:
1. Continuous intake of drugs without prescription.
2. Taking drugs more than the prescribed dosage.
3. Using drugs in ways that are medically and culturally unacceptable.
4. Continuous use of drugs despite their adverse effects on the user.
5. Using drugs to the extent that it leads to change of mood and perception of the user.
6. Taking drugs beyond the recommended periods.
7. Giving of self-medication.
8. Taking of prohibited substances referred to as hard drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, etc
9. Heavy consumption of tobacco such as cigarettes and snuff.
10. Heavy consumption of substances such as coffee and kola nuts mostly used to stay
awake.
CAUSES OF DRUG ABUSE
1. Easy access to drugs.
2. Keeping bad company.
3. Family background.
4. Poverty.
5. Need to keep awake.
6. Peer pressure.
7. Enhanced performance.
8. Ignorance.

WEEK SIX
DRUG ABUSE II
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ABUSE
1. Constant anxiety, depression and frustration
2. Mood swings
3. Bloodshot eyes
4. Weight loss
5. Forgetfulness
6. Disorderly behaviour
7. Nervousness
8. Slow, disjointed speech
9. Shabby appearance
10. Victims are also prone to thoughts of suicide
11. prone to committing crime and being violence

WEEK EIGHT
EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE
Drugs are substances or mixtures used by people, based on medical prescription, for the
prevention or total cure of ailments. However, anytime a drug is taken without medical
prescription or medical use it becomes abuse. The incidents of drug abuse have tremendous
negative effects on the individual, family and society. The agencies working against or fighting
for the reduction of drug abuse in Nigeria are NDLEA, NAFDAC, etc. Some of the effects of
drug abuse are outlined below:
1. Individuals who abuse drugs become problem to themselves and their families.
2. It leads to anxiety and desire to use more of the drugs the victim is addicted to.
3. It causes depression and change of mood.
4. Victims often result into committing crimes such as armed robbery, cultism, drug trafficking,
rape etc.
5. School children who are into drug abuse mostly perform poorly in academics and eventually
drop out of schools.
6. Drug abuse is also a major cause of road accidents.
7. Sharing of needles used in injecting drugs into the body of victims increases the risk of
contracting HIV/AIDS.
8. It can lead to psychological problem and loss of memory.
9. It brings about low self-esteem and social stigma.
10. It can damage important organs of the body such as kidney, liver, lungs, etc
11. It can lead to terminal disease such as cancer, kidney failure etc.
12. It can lead to break up of marriages.
13. Victims become burden on members of the family.
14. It leads to shortage of manpower and wastage of material resources.
15. Increases government spending on providing rehabilitation services for victims.
16. It can promote the bad image of the family and nation
 Week Nine

PREVENTION OF DRUG ABUSE

It will be difficult to completely eradicated drug abuse in Nigeria. However, some measures can
help to reduce the rate and dangers of drug abuse in our society. Below are some of the
suggested remedies to the prevention of abuse of drugs.

1. Parental Intervention: Parents can begin to serve as good role models and mentors for their
children to emulate. Parental education of children about the dangers of drug abuse will go a
long to reduce the rate of drug abuse in the society.
2. Public Enlightenment Campaign and Seminars: There should be regular campaign
programmes and seminars where the public can be educated on the dangers of drug abuse to
the individual, family and society at large.
3. Religious Intervention: Our religious bodies should sensitize their followers of the negative
effects of drug abuse. The campaign should be emphasized in their various gatherings until
there is positive response.
4. Media Campaign: The existing media in the country should promote programmes that
would prevent the youths from going into illegal use of drugs. If the print and electronic
media can engage in this kind of campaign it will help to reduce drug abuse in the society.
5. Sales should be done by professionals: The sales and management of drugs should be done
by qualified professionals such as pharmacists and doctors. People should not be allowed to
transact in drugs as other businesses that may not require expertise.
6. Adequate Punishment for Offenders: There should be strict laws and adequate punishment
for those who deal in drugs illegally.
7. School Intervention: Drug abuse, its negative effects and consequences should be made part
of our school curriculum. Student should be taught how to live responsibly in the society
without depending on drugs.
8. Provision of Employment: Some people are involved in the abuse of drugs as a result of
poverty and joblessness. When such people are engaged in productive venture it will reduce
their dependence on drugs.
9. Effective Drug Law Enforcement Agencies: The existing agencies in charge of drug law
enforcement in Nigeria should be well equipped in order to enablethem carry out their
responsibilities effectively.
DRUG LAWS IN NIGERIA
The promulgation of drug laws in Nigeria is one of the ways the Nigerian government has been
responding to the prevention of drug abuse in the country. Examples of such laws are:
1. Indian hemp decree (1966) – According to this decree, any person who engages in the
cultivation or exportation of cannabis will face 21 years imprisonment. Those who only
export will risk 10 years imprisonment and 5 years imprisonment if found to possess
smoking utensils.
2. Indian hemp decree (amendment) 1984 – This Amendment Act provides for 21 years
imprisonment for sales and trafficking while 4 or more years for smoking and possession.
3. Tobacco smoking decree (1990) – This law prohibits smoking of tobacco in public
places. It also made it compulsory for tobacco advertisers to put warnings on them e.g.
smokers are liable to die young.

Week Ten

ACTIVITIES OF DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES

There are two major agencies in Nigeria responsible for drug management and control. These
agencies are NDLEA and NAFDAC.
a) National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA): This agency was established by
Decree 48 of January 1990. The agency has its officials positioned in strategic places such as
international airports, seaports and borders. This is to ensure that there is elimination of
importation and exportation of uncertified drugs and other consumables in the country.

FUNCTIONS OF NDLEA
1. To ensure eradication of illicit cultivation and demand for narcotic plants across the
country.
2. To eliminate the root causes of the production and consumption of narcotic plants.
3. To promote effective enforcement of drug laws in the country.
4. To coordinate all preventive measures against illegal dealings in drugs.
5. To prosecute drug law offenders.
b) National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC): This
agency was established by Decree 15 of 1993 but was officially recognized January 1, 1994.
FUNCTIONS OF NAFDAC
1. Regulation of foods, drugs, cosmetics, chemicals, etc.
2. Inspection of foods, drugs, cosmetics, chemicals, etc for quality assurance.
3. Ensures laboratory test of foods, drugs, cosmetics, chemicals, etc and certify them for
consumption.
4. Investigation of raw materials and production center where foods, drugs, cosmetics,
chemicals, etc are produced.
5. Registration of foods, drugs, cosmetics, chemicals, medical appliances, etc
ACTIVITIES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN NIGERIA
1. Detection of fake and expired drugs.
2. Burning of substandard drugs, cosmetics, etc.
3. Detection of drug traffickers.
4. Arrest of drug traffickers.
5. Confiscation of smuggled food and drugs items.
6 Prosecution of drug traffickers.
7. Destruction of plantation of illegal drugs.
8. Public enlightenment campaign.