Bam Clement Liambee
Department of Social Studies
College of Education, Katsina Ala
meetbam@gmail.com
08132292119
Adamgbe Kenneth Aondohemba
Department of Social Studies
College of Education, Katsina Ala
adamgbekenneth@gmail.com
08160053792
&
Tyokever Eugene Amaakaven
Department of Social Studies
College of Education, Katsina Ala.
etyokever@yahoo.com
07031835344
Abstract
Nigeria is confronted with legion of socio-political and economic challenges; ranging from arson, vandalism, examination/electoral malpractices, insecurity, disunity, decayed infrastructure to bad leadership. Many shower blames on colonial masters for laying a
shaky foundation for the nation. Others accuse Nigerian leaders for not sailing the vessel according to the rule. Little or no attention is directed at citizenship awareness yet they are the owners of the state and have both crucial constitutional and moral responsibilities capable of changing the narrative if given the desired and needful awareness. To this end, this article titled prioritization of citizenship education for national cohesion and development is undertaken with the purpose of finding out: the relationship between informed A citizens and the national cohesion on one hand and, on the other to find out the relationship between citizens awareness and national development. On methodology, the article adopted qualitative approach relying on secondary sources. The article reveals that citizenship education has significant positive impact on national cohesion and development. It then recommends that; Citizenship education should not only be included in the school curriculum but must be made compulsory at all levels and for all categories of students and must be seen to be taught. Again, National orientation agency should organize for massive citizenship awareness for the
teeming out of school population via village assemblies, town hall meetings and public lectures. Also, Social Studies specialists should be used in teaching and training of would be teachers of citizenship education. Besides, the family should be repositioned for inculcation
of fundamental values and attitudes in the child. Finally, the mass media (private and public owned) should be motivated to key into citizenship education.
Keywords: Citizenship Education, National Cohesion and Development.