Civic Rule in Nigeria First Republic 1960 To 1966 History Primary 6 First Term Lesson Notes Week 2

History Lesson Plan for Primary 6 – First Term, Week 2

Subject: History
Class: Primary 6
Term: First Term
Week: 2
Age: 10-11 years
Topic: Civil Rule in Nigeria – First Republic (1960-1966)
Sub-topic: Civil Rule in Nigeria’s First Republic and its Collapse
Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioural Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Explain the meaning of civil rule.
2. List the major political parties and their leaders during the First Republic.
3. Identify the features of the cabinet system of government.
4. Discuss the achievements of Alhaji Tafawa Balewa.
5. Understand the reasons for the collapse of Nigeria’s First Republic.

Keywords: Civil rule, First Republic, political parties, cabinet system, Tafawa Balewa, collapse

Set Induction:
The teacher will ask pupils to describe what they think “civil rule” means and relate it to current events in Nigeria.

Entry Behaviour:
Pupils are aware that Nigeria is currently under civil rule and know that the country gained independence in 1960.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• History textbooks
• Chart showing political leaders of the First Republic
• Pictures of Alhaji Tafawa Balewa
• Map of Nigeria showing regions in the First Republic

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:
The teacher will explain that civil rule means government by elected leaders, connecting this with Nigeria’s independence and what pupils know about democracy today.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Critical thinking
• Political awareness
• History and government understanding

Reference Books:

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Primary 6 History Textbook

Instructional Materials:

• Pictures of political leaders in the First Republic
• Whiteboard and markers
• Chart of the cabinet system in the First Republic

Content:

1. Meaning of Civil Rule:

Civil rule refers to a system of government where the country is governed by elected officials rather than military leaders.

2. Major Political Parties and Leaders (1960-1966):

• Northern People’s Congress (NPC): Led by Alhaji Tafawa Balewa
• Action Group (AG): Led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo
• National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC): Led by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe

3. Features of the Cabinet System of Government:

• The Prime Minister is the head of government.
• The cabinet consists of ministers from the majority party in parliament.
• The cabinet is responsible for making and executing decisions.

4. Achievements of Alhaji Tafawa Balewa:

• First Prime Minister of Nigeria after independence.
• Maintained peace among Nigeria’s different regions.
• Promoted Nigeria’s role in international affairs.

5. Reasons for the Collapse of the First Republic:

• Corruption within the government.
• Ethnic tensions and regional differences.
• Disputes among political parties.
• Military intervention in 1966.

Evaluation (15 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions):

1. Nigeria’s First Republic lasted from __ to __.
   a) 1960-1966 b) 1950-1965 c) 1965-1970 d) 1970-1975
2. The leader of the Northern People’s Congress was __.
   a) Obafemi Awolowo b) Nnamdi Azikiwe c) Tafawa Balewa d) Jomo Kenyatta
3. The head of government in the First Republic was the __.
   a) President b) Prime Minister c) Governor d) Military leader
4. One of the political parties in the First Republic was __.
   a) APC b) AG c) PDP d) PRP
5. Alhaji Tafawa Balewa was the first __ of Nigeria.
   a) Governor b) President c) Prime Minister d) King
6. Nigeria gained independence in __.
   a) 1966 b) 1960 c) 1970 d) 1980
7. The Action Group was led by __.
   a) Nnamdi Azikiwe b) Obafemi Awolowo c) Tafawa Balewa d) Ahmadu Bello
8. A cabinet system of government includes __.
   a) Military leaders b) Appointed governors c) Elected ministers d) Kings
9. Corruption and ethnic tension caused the collapse of the __.
   a) First Republic b) Fourth Republic c) Military rule d) Empire
10. __ was Nigeria’s Prime Minister during the First Republic.
    a) Nnamdi Azikiwe b) Ahmadu Bello c) Tafawa Balewa d) Obafemi Awolowo
11. The __ intervened to end the First Republic in 1966.
    a) Military b) Police c) Foreign governments d) Lawyers
12. Nigeria’s First Republic used a __ system of government.
    a) Presidential b) Monarchy c) Cabinet d) Dictatorship
13. __ was known for promoting international relations during the First Republic.
    a) Nnamdi Azikiwe b) Tafawa Balewa c) Ahmadu Bello d) Obafemi Awolowo
14. The First Republic collapsed due to __.
    a) Ethnic unity b) Political disputes c) Strong leadership d) Economic growth
15. The NCNC party was led by __.
    a) Obafemi Awolowo b) Nnamdi Azikiwe c) Tafawa Balewa d) Ahmadu Bello

Class Activity Discussion (15 FAQs with Answers):

1. What is civil rule?
   Civil rule is a government run by elected leaders, not the military.
2. When did Nigeria’s First Republic begin?
   In 1960, after independence.
3. Who was the leader of the NPC?
   Alhaji Tafawa Balewa.
4. What political party did Obafemi Awolowo lead?
   The Action Group (AG).
5. What was the role of the Prime Minister in the First Republic?
   The Prime Minister was the head of the government.
6. Who was Nigeria’s first Prime Minister?
   Alhaji Tafawa Balewa.
7. Name one achievement of Tafawa Balewa.
   He promoted Nigeria’s role in international relations.
8. What was the main cause of the collapse of the First Republic?
   Corruption and ethnic tension.
9. What system of government was used in the First Republic?
   The cabinet system.
10. Who was the leader of the NCNC?
    Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.
11. When did the First Republic collapse?
    In 1966.
12. What did the military do in 1966?
    The military took over the government, ending the First Republic.
13. What was one feature of the cabinet system of government?
    The Prime Minister leads the government.
14. How long did the First Republic last?
    It lasted for six years, from 1960 to 1966.
15. Why did ethnic tension cause problems in the First Republic?
    Different regions had different interests and views on governance.

Presentation:

Step 1: The teacher revises the previous topic on Nigeria’s independence and the key figures in that process.
Step 2: The teacher introduces the new topic by explaining what civil rule means, discussing Nigeria’s First Republic, and highlighting the political leaders and government system at that time.
Step 3: The teacher allows pupils to share their understanding of civil rule and the leaders they know from the First Republic, and corrects any misconceptions.

Teacher’s Activities:

1. Explain the meaning of civil rule and the role of political parties in the First Republic.
2. Show pictures and charts of the major political leaders.
3. Guide the pupils through the features of the cabinet system of government and the reasons for the collapse of the First Republic.

Learners’ Activities:

1. Listen and take notes during the explanation of civil rule and political parties.
2. Participate in the class discussion by naming political leaders of the First Republic.
3. Work on filling in the blank questions and engage in the class activity discussion.

Assessment (10 Short Answer Questions):

1. What is civil rule?
2. Who was Nigeria’s first Prime Minister?
3. Name one political party in Nigeria’s First Republic.
4. What system of government was used in the First Republic?
5. When did Nigeria’s First Republic collapse?
6. Who was the leader of the Action Group?
7. What caused the collapse of the First Republic?
8. Name one achievement of Tafawa Balewa.
9. Who led the NCNC party?
10. What happened in 1966 that ended the First Republic?

Conclusion:

The teacher will review the key points of the lesson, focusing on the concept of civil rule, the major political leaders and parties, and the reasons for the collapse of the First Republic. The teacher will mark students’ work and provide feedback on their understanding.