Difference Between Rights and Duties – JSS1 Civic Education Lesson Note (Second Term)

Rights are the freedoms and benefits a citizen is entitled to enjoy, while duties are the things a citizen is expected to do for the country and other people.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. State the meaning of rights and duties of a citizen.
2. Explain how rights and duties are related to the Constitution.
3. Give examples of rights and duties of a Nigerian citizen.
4. Explain how rights and duties go together.
5. State four differences between rights and duties.

What are rights?

A right is a freedom or benefit that every citizen is entitled to enjoy in the country.

• Source: the Constitution gives us our rights and protects them.
• Who enjoys them: all citizens, irrespective of sex, religion, tribe and social status.
• Purpose: rights protect our basic freedom.

Examples of rights of a Nigerian citizen

• Right to life: no one may take another person’s life without lawful reason.
• Right to dignity of the human person: no one may be treated in a cruel or shameful way.
• Right to personal liberty: a person cannot be arrested or locked up without lawful cause.
• Right to fair hearing: an accused person must be heard fairly in court.
• Freedom of religion: everyone may follow the religion they choose.
• Freedom of expression: a person may share ideas and opinions within the law.
• Freedom of movement: a citizen may live and travel in any part of Nigeria.
• Right to own property: a citizen may buy, own and keep lawful property.

What are duties?

A duty is something a citizen is expected to do for the country and for other people.

• Source: the Constitution and the laws expect these actions from the people.
• Who performs them: every citizen, whatever the person’s age or position, as far as the person is able.
• Purpose: duties are the actions we perform so that we can enjoy our freedom.

Examples of duties of a Nigerian citizen

• Obeying the laws: following the rules of the country, the school and the community.
• Paying taxes: giving the government money to provide roads, schools and hospitals.
• Voting: taking part in elections to choose leaders (for those of voting age).
• Respecting others: honouring the rights, religion and culture of other people.
• Loyalty to Nigeria: being faithful to the country and respecting the national symbols.
• Protecting public property: taking care of schools, roads, water and electricity facilities.
• Community service: helping to keep the neighbourhood clean and safe.

How are rights and duties related to the Constitution?

The Constitution is the supreme law of Nigeria, and it states both the rights of citizens and what is expected of them.

• It gives citizens their rights and protects them from being taken away unlawfully.
• It expects citizens to perform their duties.
• Courts can be used to defend a citizen whose rights are denied.
• Some duties, such as obeying the law and paying tax, are backed by law, and breaking them can bring a penalty.

How do rights and duties go together?

Rights and duties go together because every right we enjoy comes with a duty to respect the same right in others.

What are the differences between rights and duties?

Rights are what a citizen receives and enjoys, while duties are what a citizen gives and performs.

Why must citizens perform their duties?

Citizens must perform their duties so that rights can be protected and the country can develop.

• The government can provide services when citizens pay taxes.
• Peace and order exist when citizens obey the law.
• Good leaders are chosen when citizens vote.
• Everyone enjoys their rights when each person respects the rights of others.

Evaluation

1. What are rights?
2. What are duties?
3. Who gives us our rights?
4. State two differences between rights and duties.
5. Give two rights and two duties of a Nigerian citizen.

Assignment

In your exercise book, write out the four differences between rights and duties of a citizen.