national consciousness and identity by eguriase s. m. okaka

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NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS AND IDENTITY
By Eguriase S. M. Okaka Consciousness is the state or quality of awareness. It is the condition of being awake and able to use one’s sense and mental powers to understand events happening around you. Nation: A nation is a stable community of large people united on the basis of a common decent, language, history territory, ethnicity, and culture and living in the same geographical area. National Consciousness: National consciousness is the level of a person’s awareness of issues of and happenings in the nation and how they affect him and others. It is the awareness of citizens of a nation that they share the same identity and have common ties which bind them together. It is this spirit of ones that help a citizen to be patriotic, loyal and committed to things that would move the nation forward e.g., soldiers defending the nation, athletes and footballers representing and bringing honors to their land. National Identity: National identity is the act of belonging and identifying with a nation. It refers to objects (symbols, culture, beliefs, and heritage) for which a nation or country is known and identify with. These include national symbols e.g., national flags, national anthem, currency, national identity card, national pledge, etc. Nation identity is a unifying factor that binds people of a nation together. As the people know that they have the same identity e.g., culture, currency, and national flag, they become united and see themselves as brothers and sisters in one nation. National Symbol: A symbol refers to an object, sign, picture, shape or something that represents a particular quality, idea and meaning. National identity are Symbols by which a particular nation or country is identified. The national identity is represented by the national symbols which include: • The national coat of arms • The national flag • The national anthem • The national pledge • The national currency • The national passport • The Nigerian constitution • The national identity card • The mace • Nigeria map, etc. Coat of Arms: The Nigeria coat-of-arms is the country’s symbol of unity, state power and authority. It was created in 1960 and was officially adopted by the Nigerian government in 1975. This coat of arms stands to represent the authority of government and it is used by all the organs of government encompassing the executive, legislature and the judiciary arm. The features of the coat of arms are: • The Eagle: It stands for the strength of the country. • The two white horses: They stand for dignity and pride of the nation. • The two white wavy bands on the shield, which form the letter “Y” stands for river Niger and river Benue. • The black shield: It represents Nigeria’s fertile soil. • Flowers at the base: The yellow flower represents the nation’s beauty and rich heritage. • The wreath (with green and white bands): These represent the rich agricultural potentials of Nigeria. • The band around the base of the shield: This bears the national motto: “Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress” which was adopted in 1978. The Nigeria former motto before 1978 was “peace, unity and freedom”. National Flag: The national flag is the most common national symbol known by Nigerians. It is used almost everywhere such as in school, offices, during inter-nation matches, etc. The flag was designed in 1959 by Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi and officially hoisted on 1st October, 1960. The Nigerian flag has three vertical bands of green, white, green. • The two green stripes or color represent agriculture which is the national wealth of the nation. • The white band or color represents peace and unity. National Pledge: It is an oath of allegiance taken by citizens of a country and it is usually recited at public events. This it is also a renewal of peoples’ faith in the nation. This national pledge of allegiance is recited immediately after the Nigerian national anthem. It was written by Prof. (Mrs.) Adebola Adedoyin in 1976. The Nigerian National Pledge I pledge to Nigeria my country To be faithful, loyal and honest To serve Nigeria with all my strength, To defend her unity and uphold her honor and glory, So help me God. National Anthem: This is Nigeria’s official or national song. It is a song Nigerians have accepted to sing as a symbol of unity and readiness to serve the nation. It fosters national unity. The Nigeria first national anthem “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was adopted on 1st October, 1960. The anthem’s lyric were written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British who lived in Nigeria. Nigeria Former National Anthem (Has been the reintroduced by National House of Assembly as the best National Anthem for the country) Nigeria we hail thee, Our own dear native land, Though tribe and tongue may differ, In brotherhood we stand, Nigeria all, and proud to serve Our sovereign motherland Stanza 2 Our flag shall be a symbol That truth and justice reign, In peace or battle honored, And this we count as gain, To hand on to our children A banner without stain Stanza 3 O God of all creation, Grant this our one request, Help us to build a nation Where no man is oppressed, And so with peace and plenty Nigeria may be blessed. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria! The new national anthem of Nigeria is called “Arise O Compatriots” was written by a Nigerian police officer, Mr. Benedict E. Odiase and the song was adopted in 1978. It is mandatory to stand upright when singing the national anthem. The National Anthem: Arise, O compatriot. Nigeria’s calls obey, to serve our fatherland with love and strength and faith. The labor of our heroes past shall never be in vain. To serve with heart and might one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity. O God of creation, Direct our noble cause, Guide our leader’s right Help our youth the truth to know, In love and honesty to grow And living just and true, Great lofty heights attain, To build a nation where peace and justice reign. The Nigerian Passport: The Nigerian passport is a traveling document that was first introduced in 1948 and was then called the British West African Passport. At independence in 1960, Nigeria changed the color to light green. It is a national traveling document issued to Nigerian citizen wishing to travel outside of Nigeria. The purpose of issuing the passport is for identification. The Nigerian passport is issued by the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs via the Nigerian Immigration Office to those intending to travel to other countries for legitimate activities such as business, schooling, for sports competition, etc. The Nigerian Currency: The Nigerian currency is a legal tender. Naira is the currency of Nigeria. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is the only bank that has the power to issue the currency throughout the Nigerian Federation and controls the volume of currency in circulation in order to ensure monetary and price stability. The Nigerian pound was the currency of Nigeria between 1907 and 1973. The Naira and Kobo was introduced in January, 1973 to replace the pounds and shillings. We use Nigerian currency to buy commodities, pay for salaries, goods and services, etc., within Nigeria. They are into different denominations: • The coin denominations 50kobo, N1 and N2 while the eight banknotes denominations are: Five Naira (N5.00), Ten Naira (N10.00), Twenty Naira (N20.00), Fifty Naira (N50.00), One Hundred Naira (N100.00), Two Hundred Naira (N200.00), Five Hundred Naira (N500.00), and One Thousand (N1000.00). The Nigerian currency is a force of unit and serves as a medium of exchange which brings interaction between citizens. It is an essential symbol of nationalism and national pride. The Constitution: The constitution is one of Nigeria’s national symbols. It is a legal document containing the rules and regulations used in governing the country. It serves as a guide to Nigerian citizens as well as the three arms of government. It is used by the judiciary when taking decisions or making their judgment over matters. The judiciary work within the confine of the constitution and things done outside the constitution is considered as null and void, and therefore unconstitutional. The Nigerian Map: The Nigerian map is one of the national symbols. It shows the location of the country and the location of the six states within the six geo-political and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The map shows the boundaries of Nigeria with other countries. It is bordered by Niger in North, Republic of Benin in West, Cameroon in South East and Chad in North East across Lake Chad. The National Identity Card: The national identity card is one of the national symbols. In February 2003, the Nigeria government launched a registration process for obtaining the national identity card. The distribution of the identity card began in 2004. Those eligible to register are Nigerian citizens who are eighteen (18) years and above in age. The national identity card has the following features: • At the top of the card, the words “Federal Republic of Nigeria National Identity Card”. • Nigeria coat of arms • Cardholder’s digital photograph • The Nigeria flag • The Nigeria map • Bio-demographic information such as surname, middle name, height, date of birth, sex and lots more. At the back of the national identity card contains the kins, applicant origin, date and place of issue, ID form number, personal number, etc.
The new national identity card contains: • The front side of the national identity card has owner’s passport photograph. • Bio-demographic information such as surname, middle name, first name, date of birth, sex, height, owner’s signature, nationality, age, and issue date. • 16-digits ID card number
• The Nigeria coat of arms. • Expiring date and document number • Nigeria map • Master card at the back Mace: The mace is the symbol of authority in the legislative arm. Before the commencement or start of any legislative sitting, the sergeant-at-arm carries the mace shoulder high with the speaker following from behind as they walk into the legislative chamber where it is placed on top of the mace stand. Matters legislated in the house when the mace is on mace stand are considered legal and constitutional.
The mace is an instrument of authority used by different legislative arms cutting across House of Senate, House of Representative, Houses of Assembly and Council Assembly (Council Legislative Arm). The mace is used by judges at the judiciary arm of government. Questions • Define national consciousness’ • Explain the meaning of national identity. • What is national symbol? • Explain two of the national symbols? • Draw the national coat of arm with all the features presence? • List the five features on the coat of arms and explain them. • Write the national pledge. Eguria.blogspot.com

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education as a weapon by Eguriase S.M. Okaka

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Education as a weapon by Eguriase S.M. Okaka A weapon is an instrument of offensive of defensive combat; something to fight with; anything used, or designed to be used, in destroying, defeating, or injuring an enemy, as a gun, a sword, etc. That is how I likened, education as a weapon of offense and defense. Those who fought for Nigeria's independence on October 1st 1960, did not fight with guns, bombs and their likes rather they fought with their their education. Education is a weapon that no one can dispute. There is education in plenty @ Guria Lectures, Benin City. For enrollment,WhatsApp Uncle Guria on 08032587335. Classes available: 1. Six months course in Adult Education 2. Primary Lectures 3. Secondary Lectures 4. Speech sounds class Ask Patriots like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe,Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Anthony Enahoro and a host of others, they will tell you that their Education was their major weapon in the struggle for independence. SO, Uncle Guria sa...
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