Introduction

Responsibilities are deservedly studied by various humanities, based on the

tools they have tested. Jurisprudence also holds responsibilities in the focus of
its attention, although not as consistently and intently as rights. At the same
time, the obligations of an individual are unanimously recognized as the basic
element of his legal status, supporting the well-known maxim that there are no
rights without duties, and there are no duties without rights. Such a mutual
correspondence of rights and obligations, on the one hand, emphasizes the unity
of the legal status of an individual, and gives free rein to an extensive
interpretation of the catalog of duties that reflect the attitude to another person,
to society and to the state on the other. At the same time, doctrinal horizons
unfold for ranking, interpretation and classification of individual
responsibilities.

Duties

The obedience or respect that one should show toward one's parents, older
people, etc. An act or a course of action that is required of one by position,
social custom, law, or religion

Obligation

An obligation can be defined as something that one must do because of a law,

necessity or because it is their duty. There are various forms of obligations such
as legal obligation, moral obligation, etc.

Citizen

A native or naturalized member of a state or nation who owes allegiance to its

government and is entitled to its protection (distinguished from alien). an

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inhabitant of a city or town, especially one entitled to its privileges or
franchises.

Nation

A large body of people, associated with a particular territory, that is sufficiently

conscious of its unity to seek or to possess a government peculiarly its own:

Some of the Duties and Obligations of a Citizen in a Nation include:

1. Paying of taxes

An important duty of any citizen in any country is to pay taxes to the state. Tax
is a compulsory contribution to state revenue, levied by the government on
workers’ income and business profits, or added to the cost of some goods,
services, and transactions. Taxes are used in the development of a country,
therefore if the citizens do not pay their taxes, it would be difficult for the state
to carry out important development and management projects.

2. Obeying the laws of the state

Law and order is a prerequisite of every society. To ensure that there is law and
order therefore, every citizen must obey the laws of the land. Citizens are
expected to respect and obey federal, state, and local laws.

3. Participating in the political process

Citizens are expected to participate in the political process of the state. The
citizen is expected to vote and can also be voted for if he or she vies for a
political office. Citizens are expected to be active in the democratic process.

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4. Protection of public property

Every citizen has the responsibility to protect state property. A lot of tax money
is spent by governments to create public properties for the state. As such, it is
expected of citizens to take care of these properties.

5. Defense of the state and crime prevention

Citizens are expected to be ready to defend the country if the need should arise.
A citizen must be ready to take up arms in a lawful way to defend his country
when it is attacked from outside or where there is an internal insurrection aimed
at destabilizing the state.

In order to maintain law and order, citizens are also required to assist the police
and defense forces to apprehend criminals. A citizen is obliged by law to report
and even assist the police in investigations to solve a crime he or she witnessed.
A citizen should also be willing to testify in court or serve on a jury to help
convict the guilty or acquit the innocent.

Conclusion

Responsibilities are immanent to a state organized person. Representing a legal

measure of his proper conduct, duties act as a prerequisite for freedom and
determine his own interests. The recognition of the invariable social
significance of individual duties led to their constitutional consolidation.

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Reference
https://nigerianscholars.com/tutorials/citizenship-and-rights/general-obligations-
of-citizens/
https://www.redalyc.org/journal/279/27964799019/27964799019.pdf

https://www.thefreedictionary.com/duties

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/citizen

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