Features of the Independence Constitution of 1960

---

 

Subject:

Civic Education

Term:

First Term

Week:

Week 10

Class:

JSS 3 / BASIC 9

Previous lesson: Pupils have previous knowledge of

Features of Macpherson Constitution of 1951

that was taught in their previous lesson

Topic:

Features of the Independence Constitution of 1960

Behavioural objectives: At the end of the lesson, the pupils should be able to

• explain when and why the Independence Constitution of 1960 was formed
• mention the important features of the constitution of 1960
• explain the advantages and disadvantages of 1960 constitution

Instructional Materials:

• Wall charts
• Pictures
• Related Online Video
• Flash Cards

Methods of Teaching:

• Class Discussion
• Group Discussion
• Asking Questions
• Explanation
• Role Modelling
• Role Delegation

Reference Materials:

• Scheme of Work
• Online Information
• Textbooks
• Workbooks
• 9 Year Basic Education Curriculum
• Workbooks

Content:

1960 INDEPENDENCE CONSTITUTION

FEATURES OF 1960 INDEPENDENCE CONSTITUTION

1. The governor general was the ceremonial head of state.

2. The prime minister was the head of government and administration.

3. It provided for a parliamentary system of government.

4. Fundamental human rights were written in the constitution.

5. The constitution of 1960 was a rigid constitution.

6. It laid down procedures for the creation of regions.

EVALUATION

Identify the features of the 1960 independence constitution

The 1960 independence constitution featured a parliamentary system of government, with the governor general as the ceremonial head of state and the prime minister as the head of government and administration. Fundamental human rights were written into the constitution, and it was a rigid document that laid down procedures for the creation of regions.

The constitution was generally well received by the people

Advantages or Achievement of 1960 independence Constitution

1. It ushered independence for Nigeria.

2. It defined citizenship and how it can be acquired.

3. Outlined the fundamental human rights of individuals.

4. It created a federal system of government.

5. it promoted national unity and integration.

6. It enhanced the rule of law in Nigeria

7. The constitution made provision for social and economic development in Nigeria

8. The 1960 constitution was an improvement on the 1951

 

DISADVANTAGES OR WEAKNESS OF 1960 INDEPENDENCE

CONSTITUTION

1. It gave total sovereignty or independence to Nigeria

2. 1960 independence constitution was imposed on Nigerians. Nigerians did not take part in the writing

of the constitution

3. The Privy Council in London was the highest court and not the Supreme Court.

4. The Queen of England was still the head of state and this gave room for interference in Nigeria’s

internal affairs by the British government.

5. The 1960 independence constitution created a lot of tension and rivalry between the North and the

South. This was because, under the constitution, each region had an equal number of seats in the

legislature regardless of population. The Northern Region had the majority of the seats in the

legislature.

6. The 1960 independence constitution did not make provision for the rotation of power between the

regions. This meant that the North would always have a majority in the legislature and would be in

control of the government.

7. The 1960 independence constitution did not make provision for state creation. This led to a lot of

tension and agitation for the creation of states.

8. The 1960 independence constitution did not make provision for resource control. This led to a lot

of tension and rivalry between the states over the control of resources.

EVALUATION
Mention the weakness of 1960 independence constitution

Presentation

Step 1

The subject teacher introduces the new topic

Step 2.

He introduces the new topic

Step 3:

The class teacher allows the pupils to give their own examples and he corrects them when the needs arise

Evaluation

Objectives 

1.______constitution defined citizenship and how it can be acquired A. Republican B. Independence

Lyttleton D. Clifford

2. One of the weaknesses of ______the constitution was that the Queen of Britain was still the head of the state and this gave room to some interference A. Republican B. Presidential C. Parliamentary D. Independence

3.______was the highest court in Nigeria under the 1960 independence constitution A. High court B. Magistrate court C. Privy Council in London D. Supreme court

4. The 1960 independence constitution had the following features except ______A. it was rigid B. it was written C.it adopted federal structure D. it was flexible.

5. The 1960 independence constitution made provision for a______ A. Parliamentary Presidential C. Military D. Unitary

6. The system of government under the 1960 independence constitution was ______ A. Presidential B. Parliamentary C. Military D. Unitary

7. Who was the first prime minister of Nigeria? A. Nnamdi Azikiwe B. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa C. Yakubu Gowon D. Olusegun Obasanjo

8. The 1962 ______policy was a brainchild of the first prime minister of Nigeria, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa A. Africanization B. Indigenization C. Nationalization D. Islamization

9. One of the objectives of the______ policy was to make Nigerians predominant in all economic activities A. Africanization B. Indigenization C. Nationalization D. Islamization

10. The______was a military takeover of the government on January 15, 1966 A. First republic B. Second republic C. Military coup d’état D. First military regime

11. The first military head of state in Nigeria was ______ A. Nnamdi Azikiwe B. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa C. Yakubu Gowon D. Olusegun Obasanjo

12. Who among the following led the military coup that toppled the first republic? A. Ibrahim Babangida B. Sani Abacha C. Muhammadu Buhari D. Yakubu Gowon

13. The first military coup of January 15, 1966 was ______ A. successful B. not successful C. partially successful D. a bloodless coup

14. The second military coup that toppled the Gowon regime was led by ______ A. Ibrahim Babangida B. Sani Abacha C. Muhammadu Buhari D. Yakubu Gowon

15. The ______military regime lasted for thirteen months A. Murtala/Obasanjo B. Buhari/Idiagbon C. Abacha D. Babangida

16. The______was a military takeover of the government on December 31, 1983 A. First republic B. Second republic C. Military coup d’état D. Second military regime

17. The______was a return to civilian rule in Nigeria A. Structural adjustment program B. Economic reform program C. Democratic transition program D. National economic empowerment development strategy

18. The ______head of state in Nigeria was Alhaji Shehu Shagari A. first civilian B. second civilian C. third civilian D. fourth civilian

19. The 1983 constitution was______ A. rigid B. flexible C. unitary D. federal

20. The ______of the 1983 constitution were the military, the judicature, and the civil service A. pillars B. fabrics C. strength D. weakness

21. The ______of the 1983 constitution was that it was too long and cumbersome A. advantage B. disadvantage C. strength D. opportunity

22. The______were members of the military who participated in the December 31, 1983 coup A. patriotic Nigerians B. progressive Nigerians C. radical Nigerians D. reactionary Nigerians

23. The______were members of the military who did not participate in the December 31, 1983 coup A. patriotic Nigerians B. progressive Nigerians C. radical Nigerians D. reactionary Nigerians

24. The ______of the 1983 constitution was that it gave too much power to the president A. advantage B. disadvantage C. strength D. opportunity

25. The ______were civilians who participated in the December 31, 1983 coup A. patriotic Nigerians B. progressive Nigerians C. radical Nigerians D. reactionary Nigerians

 

Answer the following questions 

 

1. Nigeria’s first presidential election was held in ___________.

a) 1960

b) 1979

c) 1999

d) 2000

 

2. The 1960 Constitution made Nigeria a _____________.

a) Federal Republic

b) Kingdom

c) Dictatorship

d) Colony

 

3. After gaining independence, Nigeria introduced __________________.

a) One-party rule

b) Multiple political parties

c) No elections

d) Absolute monarchy

 

4. The 1963 Constitution changed Nigeria into a ____________.

a) Parliamentary Republic

b) Military Dictatorship

c) Absolute Monarchy

d) Federal Kingdom

 

5. The First Republic existed from _________ to _________.

a) 1960, 1966

b) 1963, 1979

c) 1979, 1983

d) 1999, 2003

 

6. “Supremacy of the Constitution” means the Constitution is ____________.

a) Equal to other laws

b) The highest law

c) Less important

d) Easily changed

 

7. The 1979 Constitution marked the return to ______________ in Nigeria.

a) One-party rule

b) Military rule

c) Multi-party democracy

d) Absolute monarchy

 

8. The 1999 Constitution established Nigeria as a ____________.

a) Federal Republic

b) Monarchy

c) Military Dictatorship

d) Unitary State

 

9. During military rule, the Constitution was _______________.

a) Respected

b) Suspended

c) Rewritten often

d) Ignored

 

10. “Supremacy of the Constitution” means no one is above the ___________.

a) President

b) Constitution

c) Military

d) Parliament

 

11. The 1960 Constitution had a ________________ government.

a) Federal

b) Unitary

c) Parliamentary

d) Monarchical

 

12. The First Republic had a ________________ government.

a) Presidential

b) Parliamentary

c) Monarchical

d) Military

 

13. The 1979 Constitution allowed _______________ political parties.

a) Two

b) Three

c) Many

d) None

 

14. Supremacy of the Constitution ensures all laws follow the _______________.

a) President’s orders

b) Constitution’s rules

c) Military’s power

d) Local customs

 

15. The 1999 Constitution established a _______________ system of government.

a) Federal

b) Unitary

c) Parliamentary

d) Monarchical

 

 

Theory

1. Identify five qualities of a good follower.

2. Mention three consequences of bad leadership.

3. Identify six offences people can be found guilty of and punished under the law.

4. Mention four qualities of a good leader.

5. Identify five benefits of living in a democracy.

Conclusion:

The subject goes round to mark the pupil’s notes. He does the necessary corrections