The Concept of Government – Basic 4 Social Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

What is Government?

The government is a group of people chosen to lead and take care of a country. They make rules and decisions for everyone to follow.

Why Do We Need Government?

To Keep Us Safe 🛡️

• Police protect us from bad people

• Soldiers protect our country

• Fire service helps during fires

To Provide Services 🏥

• Build schools for learning

• Build hospitals for healthcare

• Provide roads for traveling

• Supply water and electricity

To Make Rules 📜

• Laws to guide how we live
• Rules to keep peace
• Punish those who do wrong

To Help Citizens 🤝

• Create jobs for people
• Help the poor
• Take care of the elderly
• Protect children’s rights

Levels of Government in Nigeria

1. Federal Government 🏛️

• Takes care of the whole country
• Led by the President
• Makes laws for all Nigeria
• Located in Abuja

2. State Government 🏢

• Takes care of each state
• Led by the Governor
• 36 states in Nigeria
• Makes laws for the state

3. Local Government 🏘️

• Takes care of your local area
• Led by the Chairman
• 774 local governments in Nigeria
• Closest to the people

Simple Examples:

• Your School: Principal is like the president
• Your Class: Class prefect helps teacher govern
• Your Home: Parents govern the family

How Government Gets Money

• Taxes from workers
• Money from oil and resources
• Fees and fines

Remember!

Just like your parents take care of your family, the government takes care of the country!

EXERCISES

A. Fill in the blanks:

1. _______ is a group of people who lead a country.
2. The President leads the _______ government.
3. There are _______ states in Nigeria.
4. The _______ leads a state government.
5. Government builds _______ for our education.

B. True or False:

1. We don’t need government. _______
2. Government makes rules for us to follow. _______
3. Local government is closest to the people. _______
4. There are 20 states in Nigeria. _______
5. Government provides services like schools. _______

C. Match the following:

D. Circle what government provides:

• Schools
• Toys
• Hospitals
• Candy
• Roads
• Police protection
• Video games
• Water

E. Name the 3 levels of government:

1. Short answers:

1. Who leads the Federal Government?
2. How many local governments are in Nigeria?
3. Name one thing government does for us.

F. Think and Write:

If you were in government, what would you do to help children?

G. Complete:

Government is like _______ in a family because: