Measures Adopted by the Nigerian Government to Promote Unity Among Nigerians I – JSS1 Civic Education Lesson Note (Third Term)

The Nigerian government promotes unity among citizens through national symbols and documents. These include the National Pledge, the National Anthem, the Nigerian passport, the constitution, the map of Nigeria, the unity lamp and the national identity card. The pledge and anthem ask citizens to be loyal and to serve the country.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• state the National Pledge;
• say what the National Pledge is and what it promises;
• name the two national anthems in the note and give details about the one adopted in 1978;
• explain what the Nigerian passport is used for;
• list other national symbols that promote unity.

What is the National Pledge?

The National Pledge is a solemn promise made by the citizens of Nigeria to be loyal to their country. It is said as follows:

I pledge to Nigeria my country,
To be faithful, loyal and honest,
To serve Nigeria with all my strength,
To defend her unity,
And uphold her honour and glory,
So help me God.

What is the National Anthem?

The National Anthem is the song that represents the nation. Arise, O Compatriots was adopted in 1978 and replaced the previous anthem, Nigeria, We Hail Thee. Its lyrics combine words and phrases taken from five of the best entries in a national contest. The words were put to music by the Nigerian Police Band under the directorship of Benedict E. Odiase.

Nigeria, We Hail Thee

Nigeria we hail thee,
Our dear native land,
Though tribe and tongue may differ,
In brotherhood, we stand,
Nigerians all and proud to serve
Our sovereign motherland.

Our flag shall be a symbol
That truth and justice reign,
In peace or battle honour,
And this we count as a gain,
To pass unto our children
A banner without stain.

O God of all creation,
Grant this our one request,
Help us to build a nation
Where no man is oppressed,
And so with peace and plenty
Nigeria may be blessed.

Arise, O Compatriots

Arise, O compatriots,
Nigeria’s call obey,
To serve our fatherland
With love, and strength, and faith,
The labour of our heroes past
Shall never be in vain,
To serve with heart and might
One nation bound in freedom, peace, and unity.

Oh God of creation,
Direct our noble cause,
Guide our leaders right,
Help our youth and truth to know,
In love and honesty to grow,
And living just and true,
Great lofty heights attain,
To build a nation where peace and justice shall reign.

What other national symbols promote unity?

The Nigerian passport is a document issued by the federal government to citizens who wish to travel to other countries. It serves as a means of identity for such individuals.

Other national symbols are:

• the constitution
• the map of Nigeria
• the unity lamp
• the national identity card

Evaluation

1. Being able to use one’s senses and mental powers to understand events happening at a particular point in time is known as (a) ability (b) knowledge (c) consciousness (d) identity.
2. The Nigerian flag was designed by (a) Flora Shaw (b) Taiwo Akinkunmi (c) Goodluck Jonathan (d) Taiwo Olawunmi.
3. The eagle in the Nigerian coat of arms represents (a) the beauty of the nation (b) the strength of the nation (c) the dignity and pride of the nation (d) the good soil of the land.
4. __________ is the level of a person’s awareness of issues and happenings in the nation and how they affect him or her and others in the nation. It is the love and affection for oneself. (a) international consciousness (b) national consciousness (c) personal consciousness (d) general consciousness.
5. The act of belonging and identifying with a nation is (a) national identity (b) national consciousness (c) national symbol (d) none of the above.

Assignment

1. Write out the National Pledge from memory.
2. List four national symbols, other than the pledge and the anthem, that promote unity in Nigeria.