Post-1960 Constitution – JSS3 Civic Education Lesson Note (First Term)

Topic: post 1960 constitution

Features of the 1979 constitution

1.         It provided for the office of the executive president who was the head of state and commander–in–chief of the Nigerian armed forces.
2. The executive president was both the head of state and the head of government.
3.         The 1979 constitution introduced the presidential system of government.
4.         It provided for the office of the vice president.
5.         The president has a maximum of two terms of four years each.
6.         There was a clear separation of powers among the organs of government.
7.         Fundamental human rights were provided in the constitution.
8.         It provided for election at the local government level.
9.         It initiated the federal character principle.

 Achievements of the 1979 constitution

1.         It created the office of the executive president to be properly elected.
2.       There was a clear separation of powers and functions among the organs of government.
3.         The 1979 constitution was supreme.
4.         It provided for a new federal capital territory called Abuja.
5.         It made provision for the rights of Nigerians.

 EVALUATION 

1.         Mention the features of the 1979 constitution.
2.         What were the achievements of the 1979 constitution?

 Features of the 1989 constitution

1.         It introduced a two-party system.
2.         Legislative houses were to be part-time.
3.         It retained the presidential system of government.
4.         Fundamental human rights were provided in the constitution.
5.   The minimum qualification for major political offices was a school certificate.

 Features of the 1999 presidential constitution

1.         It retained the presidential system of government.
2.         It provided for 36 states including the F.C.T. Abuja.
3.         It provided for the independence of the judiciary.
4.         It retained a bi-cameral legislature, the House of Senate, and the House of Representatives.
5.         Fundamental human rights were provided in the 1999 constitution.

 EVALUATION 

1.         What were the features of the 1989 constitution?
2.         Mention the features of the 1999 presidential constitution.

 General evaluation/revision questions

1.         Mention five national symbols in Nigeria.
2.         Identify the three organs of government.
3.         What are the functions of the legislature?
4.         What are the functions of the executive?
5.         Identify the functions of the judiciary.

 Reading assignment

Fundamentals of Civic Education for Basic 8 by Sola Akinyemi pages 138 – 139

 Weekend assignment

1.         Nigeria started with the presidential system in A. 1960 B. 1963 C. 1989 D. 1979.
2.         Who among the following was the first executive president of Nigeria? A. ShehuShagari B. Obafemi Awolowo C. AbubakarTafawa D. Nnamdi Azikiwe.
3.         The 1989 constitution provided for a ___ party system A. multi B. one C. two D. zero.
4.         All the following were the achievements of the 1979 constitution except A. It made provision for human rights B. The 1979 constitution was not supreme C. It made provision for a new Federal Capital Territory D. There was a clear separation of powers.
5.         The 1999 constitution retained __________ system of government in Nigeria
6.         unitary B. military C. parliamentary D. presidential

THEORY

1.         What were the achievements of the 1979 constitution?
2.         Identify the features of the 1999 constitution.