Introduction to Citizenship & Heritage Studies – SS1 Citizenship & Heritage Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Citizenship and Heritage Studies is the subject that teaches students their legal membership of a country and the culture handed down to them.

• Citizenship: the legal status of belonging to a country, with rights such as voting and duties such as paying taxes.
• Heritage: what ancestors pass down to us, such as languages, music, food, historical buildings and values.
• Aim: to produce good citizens who respect their culture.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. Define citizenship and heritage.
2. State the areas covered by Citizenship and Heritage Studies.
3. Give reasons why the subject is important.
4. Distinguish between citizenship and heritage.
5. Explain how citizenship and heritage relate to national identity.

What is citizenship?

Citizenship is the legal status of being a member of a particular country.

• Belonging: a Nigerian citizen belongs to the Nigerian nation.
• Rights: a citizen enjoys privileges such as the right to vote and the right to life.
• Duties: a citizen must perform responsibilities such as paying taxes and obeying the law.
• Source: citizenship is defined by the Constitution.

How can a person become a Nigerian citizen?

A person can become a Nigerian citizen in three main ways under the 1999 Constitution.

• By birth: a person born in Nigeria whose parents or grandparents belong to a Nigerian community.
• By registration: a person who applies and meets the legal conditions, for example a foreign woman married to a Nigerian man.
• By naturalisation: an adult foreigner who meets the required conditions, such as living in Nigeria for a stated period, and is granted citizenship.

What are examples of citizens’ rights and duties?

• Right to life: no one may take your life without lawful reason.
• Right to freedom of expression: you may share your views within the law.
• Right to education: you may go to school and learn.
• Duty to obey the law: every citizen follows the rules of the country.
• Duty to pay taxes: taxes help the government provide roads, schools and hospitals.
• Duty to protect public property: we look after schools, roads and water facilities.
• Duty to vote: eligible citizens help choose their leaders.

What is heritage?

Heritage is the inheritance that ancestors pass down to a people, and it makes a people unique.

• Languages: Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Efik and many others.
• Traditional music and dance: drums, folk songs and masquerade dances.
• Food and dress: pounded yam, jollof rice, aso oke and other traditional attire.
• Historical buildings and sites: old palaces, shrines and monuments.
• Values: respect for elders, honesty and hospitality.

What are the types of heritage?

There are three types of heritage: cultural, intangible and natural.

• Cultural (tangible) heritage: objects and places you can touch, such as artworks, palaces and the Sukur Cultural Landscape in Adamawa State.
• Intangible heritage: traditions you cannot touch, such as language, festivals, folktales and music.
• Natural heritage: protected land and wildlife, such as the Yankari Game Reserve.

What does Citizenship and Heritage Studies cover?

The subject covers the following areas of study.

• Citizenship: how a person becomes a citizen.
• The Constitution: the rules that guide our country.
• History and culture: our history and cultural traditions.
• Environment and national property: how to protect them.

Why is Citizenship and Heritage Studies important?

The subject helps students to become informed, responsible and respectful members of society.

• To know your rights: you cannot defend what you do not know, so the subject teaches what the government owes you.
• To know your duties: a country works only when citizens help, so we learn to be useful members of society.
• To promote peace: understanding other cultures teaches us to respect our neighbours, which reduces tribalism and conflict.
• To preserve our history: traditions that are not studied may be forgotten.

What are the differences between citizenship and heritage?

Citizenship is the legal status of belonging to a country, defined by law.

Heritage is the culture inherited from ancestors, such as language, arts and beliefs.

The two often go together, but citizenship is about the law and heritage is about culture.

How do citizenship and heritage relate to national identity?

National identity is the feeling of “we are one” that makes people from the North and the South see themselves as Nigerians.

1. Shared pride: celebrating festivals such as the Argungu Fishing Festival or the New Yam Festival builds pride in our nation.
2. Unity in diversity: heritage shows that we are different, while citizenship shows that we belong to one country.
3. Patriotism: knowing our history makes us love our country and protect it.

What makes a good citizen?

• Respect for heritage: a good citizen values the culture of the country.
• Active contribution: a good citizen helps the country to grow every day.
• Respect for others: a good citizen accepts people of other cultures.

Evaluation

1. Define citizenship and heritage.
2. List three things that make up your personal heritage (for example, your language).
3. Mention two duties you perform as a student to show good citizenship.
4. State two differences between citizenship and heritage.
5. Name the three ways of becoming a Nigerian citizen.

Assignment

In your notebook, explain in a short paragraph how heritage and citizenship help to build national identity. Use at least one example from this lesson.