National Consciousness – SS2 Commerce Lesson Note (First Term)

National consciousness is the strong feeling of love, commitment, loyalty and affection that enables a citizen to work for the growth, development and progress of his nation. It is the awareness that enables the individual to pursue the interest of the nation above personal, ethnic, religious or tribal interest. It is the affection that compels an individual to advocate for the total freedom and unity of his nation.

Behavioural objectives

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

• define national consciousness, national integrity and national unity;
• state the relationship between the three concepts;
• list and explain factors that promote national consciousness;
• list and explain factors that prevent the promotion of national consciousness.

What are national integrity and national unity?

National integrity is the complete adherence to the moral principles and standards that ensure the development and prosperity of a nation. It is national integrity that enables the individual to avoid all manner of sentiments and act rightly in the face of any situation.

National unity is the deliberate effort made by the citizens of a country to work and promote the factors that ensure the unity of the nation.

The three concepts (national consciousness, national integrity and national unity) are interrelated. However, national consciousness is the main focus of this study.

What factors promote national consciousness?

1. Tolerance: Tolerance is the ability to put up with other people, no matter how offensive or inferior their opinions seem. It enables citizens to overlook the weaknesses of other people to promote the national interest.
2. Hospitality: Hospitality is the quality that enables an individual to take care of another person without minding his or her tribal, ethnic, regional or religious affiliation. It is one of the major factors that promote national consciousness and national unity in a nation like Nigeria, with over 250 ethnic groups. A nation is prosperous if its sense of hospitality cuts across tribal and religious lines.
3. Intertribal marriage: Intertribal marriage is the coming together of a man and a woman from different tribes, ethnic groups or cultures as husband and wife. This is another factor that can strengthen national consciousness and unity.
4. Respect for human rights: Respect for the rights of other people helps to promote national consciousness. Where the fundamental rights of individuals are respected, there will be peace and acrimony will be reduced.
5. Effective and independent judicial system: An independent judicial system that can dispense judgment without fear, favour or interference from external factors helps to promote national consciousness.
6. Citizenship education: The knowledge acquired through citizenship education helps the individual to imbibe the right values that promote national consciousness and unity.

What factors can prevent the promotion of national consciousness?

1. Tribalism: This is a situation where an individual prefers or favours his tribal kinsmen above other tribes in public dealings.
2. Intolerance: This is the inability to exercise patience over an offence or argument when relating to other people in society.
3. Selfishness: This is the satisfaction of personal interests, even when other people’s rights are violated.
4. Bad governance: When a government is irresponsible, people seek personal satisfaction rather than the national interest.
5. Religious fanaticism: People who are excessively devoted to a particular belief see people of other religions as enemies.
6. Illiteracy: People who are not informed can be a danger to national consciousness because they do not know what is expected of them in society.

Evaluation

1. Define national consciousness.
2. Explain national integrity and national unity.
3. State four factors that promote national consciousness.
4. Explain tribalism and religious fanaticism as factors that prevent national consciousness.

Assignment

Explain any three factors that promote national consciousness and any three that prevent it.