RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF CITIZENS

Rights are defined as things that one is morally, legally or officially allowed to do or have.
The rights of a citizen refers to those claims and privileges recognized by society and enforced by the
state. These claims are not rights until they are permitted by the law. The citizens are meant to enjoy
these rights, live useful, active, and balanced lives in the society. Rights are legal entitlements which
citizens claim from the country. The government of the country has a responsibility to protect and
guarantee such rights. All citizens of a country have a number of basic rights which are set out in that
country’s CONSTITUTION.

Such rights are :

1) Right to life

2) Right to education

3) Right to dignity of human person

4) Right to personal liberty

5) Right to fair hearing

6) Right to private and family life

7) Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion

8) Right to freedom of expression

9) Right to peaceful assembly and association

10) Right to life

11) Right to freedom of movement.

12) Right to freedom from discrimination

13) Right to acquire and own immovable property anywhere in Nigeria

14) Right to fair hearing in court

15) Right to vote and be voted for.

DUTIES

Duties are what citizens must do in the country because it is legally or morally right. A
duty is also the responsibility which a citizen has to his or her country. Duties and rights are like the
two faces of a coin. The state protects rights of citizens and expects them, in return, to perform some
corresponding duties. Some of the duties of Nigeria citizens include:

1) Payment of taxes, rates and bills

2) Obeying all the laws, rules and regulations of the country.

3) Showing commitment, loyalty and allegiance to the country

4) Respecting the rights of others in the country

5) Defending one’s rights and the rights of others against those who try to abuse them

6) Participating to improve the quality of political and civic life

7) Uplifting and developing the country.

8) Showing respect for parents, elders, teachers, leaders and all those in positions of authority

9) Checking and reporting crimes and criminals to law enforcement agencies

10) Showing care to government property

11) Being ready to render service to the country when called upon.

12) Registering and voting during election

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF CITIZENS

RIGHTS
i. They are inalienable
ii. They are privileges a citizen should enjoy in
the state
iii. They are protected by the government
iv. The failure of the government to protect the
rights of citizens makes her irresponsible
v. They are legal claims of citizens
vi. Rights are benefits of citizens in the State
vii. Citizens criticize government if she fails to
protect her citizens
DUTIES
They are not but at large determined by the
rights the citizens enjoy
They are the responsibilities citizens owe the
state and fellow citizens
The state compels the citizens to perform their
duties
Failure of citizens to carry out their duties makes
them irresponsible
They are not legal claims of citizens but their
constitutional responsibilities
They are sacrifices the citizens offer to the state.
Government punishes citizens when they fail to
perform their duties.

IMPORTANCE OF CITIZEN’S RIGHTS AND DUTIES

1) SOCIAL CONTROL: Social control makes every citizen of a country live freely with others without
discrimination of place of origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, or political association. Every citizen is
entitled to the free use of public Parks, markets, roads, schools, hospitals, courts, etc, and not being
oppressed or discriminated against by the rich or people in power.

2) PEACE: When citizens’ rights and duties are known to them, it brings about peace and stability in
that country. When there is peace in society, there will be progress, happiness, and development.

3) DUE PROCESS: It means that people should follow the right and proper ways of doing things in
society. Due process also encourages equal opportunity for all citizens of the country. For instance,
people should be given jobs strictly on merit, and not based on preferential treatment. At the same
time, jobs should be awarded to qualified contractors by the people in power, and this should be done
by following due process
4) Discipline: This means the training of the mind to respect and obey the rules and regulations of the
country. When rights and duties of a country are obeyed, there will be discipline. Every citizen will rise
up against indiscipline wherever they find themselves.

RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT

1. Who designed the Nigerian flag and in what year?

2. Discuss the term “national symbols” in not less than 60 words.

b. Identify the national symbols in Nigeria and discuss each based on the year and purpose of
formation

3. Explain the concept of national consciousness in not less than 60 words

4. The red eagle in the Nigerian coat of arms represents ________________

b. The colours of the Nigerian flag represent ___________________

c. What is the symbolic significance of the coat of arms of Nigeria.