Reading : Awolowo’s Life and Legacy

Subject : English Grammar

Class : Primary 4

Term : Second Term

Week : Week 3

Topic : Reading : Awolowo’s Life and Legacy

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

• Analyse the passage
• Skim for main points that are in the passage
• Scan for specific information
• Extract new words from the passage orally and in written form from the passage

Learning Activities :

• Pupils, as a class analyse the passage
• Pupils in small group, skim through the passage
• Pupils, in pairs, scan the passage for new words orally and get them written down
• Pupils as individuals pronounce the new words and check out their meanings from the dictionary

Embedded Core Skills :

• Communication and Collaboration
• Creativity and Imagination
• Critical thinking and problem solving
• Leadership skills and Personal Development

Materials:

• Charts on tenses
• Flash cards
• Web Resources
• Hard copy dictionary
• Online dictionary
• Pictures of Chief Obafemi Awolowo
• Chart paper and markers
• Handouts with comprehension questions
• Video resources (optional)

Content :

Awolowo’s Life and Legacy.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo was a renowned Nigerian statesman and political leader who played a significant role in the country’s struggle for independence. He was born on March 6, 1909, in Ikenné, a town in the present-day Ogun State, Nigeria. Awolowo was known for his exceptional leadership skills, progressive ideas, and commitment to social justice.

As a young man, Awolowo had a keen interest in education and politics. He attended various schools, including the Wesley College in Ibadan, and later earned a law degree from the University of London. Upon returning to Nigeria, he worked as a clerk, then as a journalist, and later as a lawyer.

In 1949, Awolowo founded the Action Group, a political party that sought to advance the interests of the Yoruba people of Western Nigeria. He served as the party’s leader and was elected as the Premier of Western Nigeria in 1954. During his tenure as Premier, he introduced a series of innovative policies and programs, including free education, free healthcare, and rural development initiatives. These programs had a profound impact on the lives of the people of Western Nigeria and contributed to the region’s rapid economic growth.

In addition to his work as a politician, Awolowo was also an accomplished author and intellectual. He wrote several books, including “Path to Nigerian Freedom,” which outlined his vision for a free and prosperous Nigeria.

Awolowo was an ardent advocate of African unity and played a significant role in the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now known as the African Union. He also served as Nigeria’s Federal Commissioner for Finance and Vice Chairman of the Federal Executive Council.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo was a highly respected leader who left a lasting legacy in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. His commitment to social justice, economic development, and political freedom has inspired generations of Nigerians and Africans to strive for a better future.

Evaluation

1. When was Chief Obafemi Awolowo born? a) March 6, 1909 b) March 6, 1920 c) March 6, 1930 d) March 6, 1940
2. Where was Awolowo born? a) Lagos, Nigeria b) Ibadan, Nigeria c) Ikenné, Nigeria d) Accra, Ghana
3. What was Awolowo’s political party called? a) All Progressives Congress (APC) b) People’s Democratic Party (PDP) c) Action Group d) Labour Party
4. What policy did Awolowo introduce as Premier of Western Nigeria? a) Free education b) Free transportation c) Free housing d) Free electricity
5. What book did Awolowo write that outlined his vision for a free and prosperous Nigeria? a) The Wealth of Nations b) Path to Nigerian Freedom c) The African Dream d) The Future of Nigeria
6. What role did Awolowo play in the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU)? a) He was its first president b) He was a key advocate for its creation c) He opposed its formation d) He played no role in its formation
7. What position did Awolowo hold in Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council? a) Chairman b) Vice Chairman c) Secretary d) Member
8. What was Awolowo’s primary interest as a young man? a) Agriculture b) Education c) Medicine d) Law
9. What region of Nigeria did Awolowo serve as Premier? a) Eastern Nigeria b) Western Nigeria c) Northern Nigeria d) Southern Nigeria
10. What is Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s legacy? a) A commitment to social justice, economic development, and political freedom b) A dedication to military rule and authoritarianism c) A history of corruption and mismanagement d) A lack of impact or influence on Nigerian politics and society

Lesson Presentation 

Procedure:

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Begin the lesson by asking students if they know who Chief Obafemi Awolowo was. Allow a few students to share their ideas.
• Introduce the topic by explaining that Awolowo was a Nigerian statesman and political leader who played a significant role in the country’s struggle for independence.
• Show pictures of Awolowo and explain that he was known for his exceptional leadership skills, progressive ideas, and commitment to social justice.

2. Presentation (20 minutes)

• Use a combination of visuals, stories, and examples to present information about Awolowo’s life and work. Topics to cover may include:
  • Awolowo’s early life and education
  • The formation of the Action Group political party
  • Awolowo’s policies and programs as Premier of Western Nigeria
  • Awolowo’s writing and intellectual contributions
  • Awolowo’s role in the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU)
  • Awolowo’s legacy and impact on Nigerian and African society

3. Class discussion (10 minutes)

• Use chart paper and markers to record students’ thoughts and ideas about the presentation.
• Encourage students to ask questions and share their own experiences and opinions about the topics covered.
• Use the discussion to reinforce key concepts and ideas from the presentation.

4. Comprehension questions (10 minutes)

• Hand out comprehension questions that cover the main points of the lesson.
• Allow students to work individually or in pairs to answer the questions.
• Use the questions to assess students’ understanding of the lesson and to reinforce key concepts and ideas.

5. Conclusion (5 minutes)

• Review the main points of the lesson and ask students to share one thing they learned about Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
• Encourage students to think about the relevance of Awolowo’s ideas and legacy for their own lives and society as a whole.

Assessment:

• The comprehension questions can be used to assess students’ understanding of the lesson.
• The class discussion and chart paper can be used to assess students’ ability to articulate their thoughts and ideas about the topic.

Weekly Assessment /Test

1. Chief Obafemi Awolowo was born on __________ in Ikenné, a town in the present-day Ogun State, Nigeria.
2. Awolowo founded the __________ political party in 1949.
3. Awolowo served as the Premier of __________ Nigeria from 1954 to 1960.
4. As Premier, Awolowo introduced free __________ for all students in Western Nigeria.
5. Awolowo was an accomplished __________ and intellectual, writing several books on politics and society.
6. Awolowo was a key advocate for African __________ and played a significant role in the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU).
7. Awolowo served as Nigeria’s Federal Commissioner for __________ and Vice Chairman of the Federal Executive Council.
8. Awolowo’s commitment to social justice, economic development, and political freedom has inspired generations of Nigerians and Africans to strive for a better __________.
9. Awolowo was highly respected as a leader and left a lasting __________ in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
10. Awolowo’s policies and programs had a profound impact on the lives of the people of Western Nigeria and contributed to the region’s rapid __________ growth.