SECOND TERM SCHEME

OF WORK
WEEK
TOPICS
1&2
REVISION

CULTISM
3&4
RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD
5
ORDERLINESS
6
MID TERM TEST
7
REVISION
8
TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
9
CIVIL SOCIETY
 10
CIVIL SOCIETY & REVISION
11 &12
EXAMINATIONS

WEEK 1: REVISION
CULTISM
One of the greatest social crimes committed
in institutions of higher learning in this
country as of today is cultism. It is a social
crime that is not only rampant in tertiary
institutions of all kinds all across the
country, but unfortunately, it has become a
common phenomenon in the entire society.
Secondary and primary schools are not left
out. The activities and conflicts within these
groups often involve human lives.
These groups are known by different names
in the society, depending on the institution.
There are some that are meant exclusively
for females, while there are some meant for
only the males.
A cult has been said to be a small group
of people who have extreme religious
beliefs and are not part of any established
religion.
Secret cult is an enclosed organised
association or group of people devoted to
the same cause. It is an enclosed group of
adherents having an exclusive sacred
ideology and a series of rites centering
round their sacred symbols. The term secret
cult was coined by a former Head of State,
Ibrahim Babangida between 1983-1984.
Before then, such groups were referred to
as fraternities. Members of the cult groups
commit themselves to an oath and
allegiance, which serves as their strong
bond. Members of these groups are always
violent when defending their cause. Secret
cults have been existing sinCe the pre-
colonial times in Nigeria and some of them
have now been reformed. They exist in
every ethnic group of the country.
REASONS WHY STUDENTS JOIN CULTS
Students are attracted to cult groups for a
variety of reasons such as:
1. SEARCH FOR RESPONSIBILITY: some
students join cult groups in order to
perform certain services for the members.
For example, some of them want to fight
perceived injustice on their campuses
against their members.
2. SEARCH FOR SECURITY: many
students, especially the females join cult
groups for protection. Some male
students join to secure their female
friends.
3. SEARCH FOR SATISFACTION OF ONE’S
NEEDS AND ASPIRATION: a student may
belong to a cult group whose part of their
objectives is to ensure high success of its
members in academic. There are also
students who join cult groups for reason
of wealth or financial assistance.
4. SEARCH FOR SOCIAL IDENTITY: there
are also students who join cult groups in
attempt to be popular. They want to be
regarded as powerful people and For
them, it is a way of achieving prestige and
greatness. It is their belief that they can
influence decisions on campuses and
dictate the pace during Students Union
elections.
5. Search for respect and recognition and
to acquire protection against sanction
protection against sanction from
members of the community.
 6. Some people join cult groups to hide
their weaknesses (inferiority complex,
academic or social deficiencies). Some are
coerced to join, while others feel that the
objectives of the cults are laudable and
worthwhile and they join.

CAUSES OF CULTISM IN NIGERIAN

INSTITUTIONS
Cultism is an anti-social system which
promotes defiant acts. It is at variance with
the established norms of behaviour. It is a
non- conforming system which usually
contravenes the social rules of an institution
in particular and the society in general. In
spite of the negative consequences of cultism,
it still thrives. Some factors responsible for
this are:
1. PARENTAL AND HOME BACKGROUND:
students’ participation in cult activities
may be influenced by parents’
involvement in similar activities. Parents
who are members of secret cults will not
see anything wrong in their children’s
involvement in cultism. Parents may
encourage their children to join cults so
that they may maintain the traditional
titles that have been given to the former.
Children from broken homes may also
find solace in cultism. A home that is
characterised by child abuse, intolerance,
violence, insecurity and hostility may be a
breeding ground for prospective cult
members.
2. SOCIETAL DECAY: the Nigerian adult
society is materialistic. There is the mad
rush to acquire wealth and power. Some
powerful members of the society
 sometimes unleash terror on the hapless
and defenceless members. Some of them
recruit young people to perpetrate
heinous crimes and can escape the long
arms of the law. They are the fraudsters,
kidnappers, ritual killers e.t.c. children
who grow up in this kind of environment
may see nothing wrong in cult activities
that involve maiming and killing innocent
people. “Godfathers” who are ready to
protect cultists from prosecutions sponsor
cult activities.
3. PEER GROUP INFLUENCE: motivation
for joining cults may come from peer
groups’ influence. Some students have
become cultists because their friends
lured them into joining. The members of
the peer group influence one another
with the experiences they have had in
their various families and environments.
4. EMOTIONAL SICKNESS: children who
have emotional sickness tend to be
depressed and frustrated with life. In an
attempt to express their anger against
neglect, they may join cults to unleash
terror on the society that has caused
them emotional distress.
5. THE MASS MEDIA: the mass media
also expose young ones to all kinds of
negative behaviours. There is the
importation of magical films, occultic
literature and obscene behaviours.
Advertisements are placed in the media
on how youths and adults can join cult
organisations either locally or abroad.
6. GOVERNMENT’S LUKEWARM
ATTITUDE: cultists in educational
institutions watch how government
officials break the laws of the land with
impunity because they are members of
secret cults. Government also fails to
apply sanctions against cultists who
contravene the laws of the land because
of the protection offered by their
sponsors who are close to the corridors of
power. Cultists are therefore given the
impressions that they can go away with
any act of lawlessness.
Other causes are supports given by staff
of educational institutions, unconducive
learning environment, inadequate
religious and moral instructions/
education.

CULT GROUPS ON NIGERIAN CAMPUSES

In Nigeria, records put the number of cult
groups at close to 36. They include the
following;
a.Black eye
b. Buccaneers
 c.The Dragon
d. Pyrates Confraternity
e. Red Devil
f. Scorpion
g.Black Axe
h. Mafia
i. Blood Suckers
j. Vikings Fraternity
k.Neo Black Movement
Some of them are exclusively for females.
They include:
a.Daughters of Jezebel
b. Temple of Eden
c.Amazons
d. Black Beret
e. Barracudas

WEEK 2 CHARACTERISTICS OF CULT

GROUPS
1. Illegal possession of firearms
2. Drug abuse
3. Violent crimes like armed robbery
4. Sexual escapades
5. Killing of innocent students, academic
and non- academic staff.
6. Arson, rape, extortion, threats,
physical attacks, blackmail and other
inhuman practises.
7. Factional struggle and war of
supremacy resulting in bloody clashes
between the cults groups.

CONSEQUENCES OF CULTISM
1. MURDER: the nefarious and
nocturnal activities of secret cults
have led to the untimely death of
several cult members, innocent
students and staff/lecturers of
 institutions of higher learning. Cult
groups have gradually turned the
campuses of Nigerian institutions of
learning into killing fields or theatres
of war. In September, 2005, Bolaji
Tomiwa, a student of the Lagos State
University was killed as a result of
cultism. Another example was in
October 2003, three students;
Kehinde Dosunmu, Omotayo Suraju
and Olalekan Ajao of Kwara State
Polytechnic were killed.
2. EXPULSION: some cultists have
their educational career terminated
abruptly through expulsion or
rustication, or they may spend more
than the required number of years.
For example, on March 27, 2005, a 32-
year old Ikechukwu Okomah Anthony
was arrested. He had spent over ten
 years pursuing Higher National
Diploma in the department of Estate
Management, Ibadan Polytechnic.
3. VIOLENCE: cultism promotes
violence. Every member of any cult
group is violent. Their main aim and
objective is to cause trouble and
unrest. They derive joy in fighting one
another, using dangerous weapons
like axe, knives and guns e.t.c.
4. SPIRITUAL PROBLEMS: during
initiation of new members into cult
groups, some of them are exposed to
various satanic powers which lead
them to spiritual problems. Some of
these spiritual problems are insanity,
mental disorder, hallucinations and so
on.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES AGAINST
CULTISM
Cultism is a social crime and their
activities are often laden with blood.
And there is the urgent need to put an
end to the evil. Some people have
openly declared that cultism is as
condemnable as armed robbery.
Therefore, in order to curb it, there
should be:
1. A definite legislation that will pass
a death sentence to anybody found
guilty of cult activities on the
campuses.
2. Moral education should be made
compulsory in the primary and
secondary schools in the country.
3. Cultism and its consequences
should be treated in the General
 Studies courses in all tertiary
institutions in the country.
4. Parents should take time to
understand their children, give
enough time to listen to them at
home and satisfy their emotional,
psychological and physical needs.
5. Parents should watch the friends
their wards are keeping in the
institutions. They should also take
time to watch any strange behaviour
put up by their wards and correct
them immediately.
6. Aggressive efforts to wage war
against cultism in all tertiary
institutions should be allowed by
government and religious groups in
the country.

WEEK 3
RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD
A caring and responsible parent should be
able to detect the need, happiness, problems,
nature of his or her family and children and
be able to heed and cater for them according
to his or her capability.
Responsible parenthood is the will and ability
of parents to respect and do the needs and
aspirations of the family and children. The
qualities of responsible parenthood are
1. ADOPTION OF FAMILY PLANNING/
SOUND KNOWLEDGE OF CHILDBEARING
AND REARING: responsible parenthood
requires parents to consider their financial
ability and plan on the number of children
to give birth to, so that they will be able to
cater for them naturally, socially,
economically and spiritually.
2. ABILITY FOR NEEDED PROVISION:
parents should be able to provide for the
family needs in order to avoid the children
going into the streets in search of those
needs.
3. EMOTIONAL ADJUSTMENT ABILITY: a
responsible parent should be able to
detect when the parents and the children
are emotionally unbalanced and know
how to control either of them in order to
prevent uprising of dispute and likes in
the family.
4. ADOPTION OF PEACEFUL STRATEGIES:
responsible parents should adopt peaceful
strategies like mimicking, laughter social
and live trips, family viewing and circuit,
family exercise and so on. This will help to
cultivate the habit of staying back home in
members of the family instead of
searching for peaceful strategies outside.
 5. CHILDREN GETTING MARRIED TO THE
RIGHT PARTNERS: this is a very important
role for parents, as the husband or wife
their children choose will help to prevent
future disputes in the family. For instance,
in a situation where there exists frequent
quarrelling and fighting between the
parents, the children are likely to emulate
such and establish it before their
playmates, which means constant fighting
and disputes may become a habit for
them.
FURTHER/LATER RESPONSIBLE
PARENTHOOD
This is a good and caring parent/family
concern regarding a child’s choice of life
partner. The following factors should be
considered:
1. AGE: at least 23 for men and 20 for
young women.
RELIGION: religious belief is another factor. In
the modern world, there exists sometimes
inter-change of religion.
2. PERSONALITY AND CHARACTER:
human personality and character/
behaviour is another factor. Some
people engage in sinful habits. Some of
them smoke, drink, fight, lie, steal and
so on and this will not match some
people’s taste of choosing partner.
3. EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: level of
educational attainment also plays a big
role in this regard. There are different
educational backgrounds for different
people. It will be expedient for a
responsible person to interfere, if not,
completely, but partially in choosing
children’s partners’ educational
background.
 4. OCCUPATION: some people are
respected while some others are
involved in criminal activities. A
responsible parenthood must consider
future partner’s occupation before
giving out their children out for
marriage.
5. ECONOMIC STANDING: the pocket
size of someone and position he or she
holds tell more about the economic
standing and should be considered by a
good parent before giving his/her child
out for marriage.
BASIC CONCEPTS IN RESPONSIBLE
PARENTHOOD
Responsible parenthood considers the
following important issues:
1. FAMILY SIZE: this is the same as family
planning. Here, the number of children to
bear and time to give birth to then or child
 spacing are necessary as some parents
bear children too frequently without
proper spacing.
2. CHILD SPACING: a good and
responsible parenthood considers the
spacing of the children which sometimes
is determined by the pocket size, time
factor, health of a child. All these factors
are connected to the adoption of a good
family planning.
3. AVAILABILITY: a good and responsible
parent is supposed to be there to meet
the children’s needs and be patient
enough for them to approach maturity
age before giving them out for marriage
since the parents are fit enough to cater
for the children education and other
needs.
4. EMOTIONAL MATURITY: anyone
preparing for marriage must be sound in
mind, spirit, body and soul in order to be
able to tolerate all that go with the
institution of marriage like pregnancy
pains, endurance, tolerance, care, e.t.c.

DUTIES OF RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD:

1. FATHERS’ ROLES:
a.FAMILY FUND: it is the priority and
duty of a father to provide the primary
fund- money needed by the family.
b. PROTECTION AND DEFENCE: it is
the responsibility of a father to
protect and defend his family
members in times of troubles of any
kind or sickness.
c.ASSURANCE OF PEACE: it is the duty
and priority of a father to ensure that
unity, peace, love and harmony reign
within his family.
d. PROVISION OF BASIC NEEDS: it is
the priority and duty of a father to
provide the basic needs of his family
such as accommodation, clothing,
feeding, e.t.c
e. OVERSEER OF BASIC ROLES: it is
the priority and duty of a father to
overseer the roles or duties of the
family members and call the to order
obedience whenever the need arises.
f. ENSURING PROPER UPBRINGING: it is
the priority and duty of a father to
ensure the proper upbringing of his
children.

MOTHERS’ ROLES
a.KITCHEN ROLE: it is the priority and
duty of a mother to prepare meals
and carry out every kitchen related
roles for the family.
b. NEATNESS ROLE: it is the duty of a
responsible mother to keep the
house tidy for the family.
c.TRAINING OF CHILDREN: it is the
priority and duty of a responsible
mother to train her children on basic
household chores and so on.
d. LOVE AND CARE ROLE: It is the
priority and duty of a mother to
teach and show love and care to
every member of her family.
e. TOTAL SUPPORT: it is the duty of a
mother to support her family,
mostly her husband in all the roles
required of a responsible mother for
instance financial support, spiritual
support, material support e.t.c.

WEEK 4 ORDERLINESS
 Orderliness is the art by which
things are done or arranged in a
proper, neat and systematic manner.
Orderliness is also a situation where
laws are obeyed and authority is
respected. It is the art of doing
things in a peaceful and orderly
fashion. Orderliness also entails
people taking time to become aware
of everything that is going on in their
lives which they choose to handle in
a certain order.
The truth is that without
orderliness, everything will be in
chaos; driving on the roads, flying in
the air, navigating on the high seas,
all involve orderliness. Law is the
blood without which order is bound
to collapse. For example, in Nigeria,
every driver keeps to the right hand
side of the road. But government did
not assume that every driver would
conform to this orderliness so it
places a sanction on defaulters.
Without the sanction, you can be
sure compliance will be difficult.
Orderliness is cooperative
action. People work together
without even knowing that they are
doing so. In order to have
orderliness, a person must begin by
having a schedule lined up in his or
head. For instance, when a person
gets up in the morning he or she
usually knows what will take place
during the course of the day. In
other words, the person has his or
her day in order. The alarm goes off,
the person jumps into the shower,
eats breakfast, grabs the key and
heads out of the door to work. If
schedules were nonexistent and
people just flew by the seam of their
pants, nothing would ever have a
rhyme or a reason.

EXAMPLES OF ORDERLINESS IN
SOCIETY
1. LISTENING SKILLS: we listen to
gain information, to make
decisions and for enjoyment. Good
listening habits help to avoid
misunderstandings,
embarrassment and mistakes.
There is need for us to be attentive
to others while they talk.
Orderliness involves paying
attention while others talk.
2. DRIVING SKILLS: there is need
for us to acquire driving skills
 before driving. It is important to go
through the normal driving school
process as prescribed by the
authority concerned before
making any attempt to drive. That
is where we will be taught the
necessary driving skills. We can
demonstrate orderliness in driving
by observing the traffic light,
obeying traffic warden instruction
and obeying the traffic rules and
regulations.
3. QUEUING CULTURE: queuing is
an important way to maintain
orderliness in the society. There
may be need for us to queue up at
some place where many people
want to enjoy same services with
us. This will help in letting things
go in a well orderly manner.
 Examples of places where we may
need to queue up are: hospitals,
banks, airports petrol stations,
supermarkets, ATMpoints, e.t.c.
4. DECORUM: this is referred to
as a requirement for correct
behaviour in polite society. It is a
right behaviour expected at a
particular situation. This behaviour
should be exhibited always. For
example, perfect silence is
expected from students while the
principal is giving them
instructions on the assembly
ground.
5. OBEYING TRAFFIC RULES AND
REGULATIONS: it is important for
us to obey traffic rules and
regulation while driving. There is
need for proper understanding of
traffic signs.

ROLE OF ORDERLINESS IN THE

SOCIETY
1. TIME SAVING: much time will not
be wasted where there is
orderliness.
2. REDUCTION OF FRUSTRATION:
there exist several cases of
disorderliness like in time of
queuing at the banks, fuel
stations e.t.c. this leads to
frustration of several kinds.
Orderliness helps reduce
frustration when things are done
accurately.
3. PROMOTION OF GOOD
NATIONAL IMAGE: if everyone
keeps to orderliness in our daily
 activities, it will help promote
peace, unity and progress which
will thereby improve and foster
good national name and image.
4. IT PROMOTES PEACE IN THE
SOCIETY: maintained orderliness
in the society, mostly in public
places like church, school,
market e.t.c. will promote and
foster peace in the society.

TRAFFIC REGULATIONS:
Traffic regulation can be defined as the
rules and regulations which guide the
behaviour or actions of road users, in order to
prevent accidents and enhance free flow of
traffic. Road users include vehicle drivers,
cyclists, pedestrians e.t.c.
 SOME TRAFFIC
REGULATIONS
Some rules and regulations guiding road users
are:
1. DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE: road users
should always avoid alcohol before and
while driving.
2. OBSERVANCE OF ROAD SIGNS: all road
users should always observe road signs.
3. CYCLISTS SHOULD WEAR CRASH
HELMETS: cyclists should wear crash
helmet while riding for protection against
fall or accidents of any kind. This will
protect the head which is the most
delicate part of the body. This is
applicable to horse riders as well.
4. NUMBER OF PASSENGERS: drivers
should always avoid overloading their
vehicles as this will contravene traffic
laws. They should not carry more than the
 stipulated number of passengers for their
particular vehicle. Neither must they carry
too much loads as these can endanger the
lives of passenger and affect the condition
of the vehicle. Motor cycle riders are not
supposed to carry more than one
passenger.
5. VIGILANCE: pedestrians should walk
opposite traffic rather than backing it
while they trek on busy roads.
6. SPEED LIMIT: all road users should
observe stipulated speed limits.
7. BRIDGES AND ZEBRAS CROSSING
POINTS: pedestrians should use
pedestrian bridges or zebra crossing
points where they are provided.
8. PAVEMENT: pedestrians should walk
on road pavements where they are
provided and drivers should avoid driving
close to pavements no matter the large
 number of traffic that may take up the
road.
9. NOISE POLLUTION: all road users are
expected to guide against noise pollution.
Drivers of vehicles should not blow their
horns excessively to disturb other people.
10. AVIOD HANDS FREE/ EARPIECE: all
road users are required to avoid all forms
of earpiece as this may not allow them to
hear well.
11. WEARING OF SEAT BELTS: motorists
are expected to wear their seat belt at all
times. Passengers should also use seat
belts where they are provided.
12. OBSTRUCTION PACKING: all road users
should avoid packing on the road as this
may lead to obstruction for other road
users, thereby leading to heavy traffic.
13. USE OF TRAFFICATOR: road users
should indicate or trafficate before
 entering or leaving the road, most
especially where the junction or street
cuts into road or at a round-about.
14. MAKING CALLS WHILE DRIVING: road
users should avoid receiving or making
calls while driving. This can affect
concentration while driving and lead to
accidents.
15. MODE OF TREKKING: pedestrians
should walk opposite traffic rather than
backing it while they trek on busy roads.

TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES

These are electronic or non-electronic
materials for controlling the free movement
of vehicles and ensure safety use of road by
everyone. They include traffic light road signs
and boards.
1. Traffic lights or lamp-stop lights or
signal lights are signaling devices
positioned a road intersection, pedestrian
across and other locations to control
current traffic. Traffic lights were first
installation done 1868 they are now in use
in most cities and town around the world
nowadays. They alternate the right way of
road users by displaying rights of standard
colors (Red, Yellow/amber and green).
The colors are universal code to enable
color bling road users to be able to
understand. The green light allows the
traffic to proceed in devoted, the
yellow/amber light implies incoming
vehicle should be prepared to stop before
 the interaction while the red light implies
oncoming vehicles should stop or are
prohibited from proceeding
2. Traffic signals/ Road Sign: - Traffic
signs give drivers and other road users in
formations and warning depending on the
shape, color and placement of the sign.
Essentially a road sign must meet four
requirements.
a. Fulfill a need
b. Command attention (bold enough for
identification)
c.Give adequate time for proper response
ROAD SIGNS
Road signs are symbols which help road
users gain full information about road, in
order to avoid accidents. These signs are
grouped into:
1. REGULATORY SIGNS: these signs
appear often in circular shapes.
Regulatory signs are divided into:
a.MANDATORY REGULATORY SIGNS:
these give the right regulatory
instructions. They appear with blue
circles but without red border such as
diversion signs, roundabout sign e.t.c.
b. PROHIBITIVE REGULATORY SIGNS:
signs with red and yellow circles are
referred to as prohibitive regulatory
signs. Examples include: U turn sign, No
light sign, stop sign e.t.c
2. INFORMATIVE SIGNS: these signs
provide the required information to road
users. They appear rectangular in shape.
Ugu Examples include; hospitals signs,
advanced direction sign school signs and
so on.

MINIMAL SPEED
NO U-TURN
 NO STOPPING U-
TURN

NO PARKING BEND
 NO LEFT TURN TWO
WAY TRAFFIC AHEAD

CROSSING PART
ROUND ABOUT
 DOUBLE BEND SERIES
OF BEND
 SLOW DOWN COUNCIL
BUS STOP

TURN RIGHT NO
HAWKING
MAN AT WORK
MOTORCYCLE NOT ALLOWED

LEFT TURN
ROLES OF INDIVIDUALS AND
GOVERNMENT IN OBEYING TRAFFIC
REGULATIONS
ROLES OF GOVERNMENT:
The roles of government in maintaining
traffic regulations include the following:
1. PROVISION AND ERECTION OF
TRAFFIC LIGHT: it is the responsibility of
government to provide traffic lights and
ensure that they are erected at strategic
locations.
2. ENACTMENT OF LAW: the constitution
should be reviewed to update most of
the laws of the Federal Roads Safety
Corps (FRSC).
3. PUNISHMENT: government should
ensure that road traffic offenders are
severely punished.
4. SUPPORT AND FUNDING OF FRSC:
government should not only provide
 fund for FRSC but also give them
necessary supports to effectively carry
out their functions.
5. GOOD ROADS AND SIGNS:
government should ensure that roads
are well constructed with traffic signs in
strategic locations.
6. INTRODUCTION OF ROAD SAFETY
CLUBS TO SCHOOLS: government should
embark on the programmes of
introducing road safety club to schools
in order for citizens to be well aware of
traffic rules and regulations.
7. SYMPOSIA AND PUBLIC AWARENESS
PROGRAMMES: government through
FRSC should embark on symposia and
public awareness programmes on traffic
issues with the help of the mass media
and by reaching the people physically on
the street, stadium e.t.c.
8. DRIVER’S LICENCE AND HIGHWAY
CODE: government should orientate
road users about driver’s licence and
provide highway codes to be within the
reach of all citizens.

ROLES OF INDIVIDUALS
The roles of individuals in maintaining
traffic regulations include:
1. REGULAR READING OF HIGHWAY
CODE: individuals should cultivate the
habit of getting and frequent reading
of highway codes provided by
government.
2. TRAFFIC WARDEN: road users
should endeavour to obey traffic
wardens to maintain a free flow of
traffic.
 3. ROAD-WORTHY VEHICLES:
motorists should constantly ensure
that their vehicles are road-worthy.
4. VOLUNTEER TRAFFIC WARDENS:
individuals should at most times
endeavour to volunteer themselves,
energy and time to carry out traffic
controls and wardens exercise when
necessary.

TOPIC: CIVIL SOCIETY

Content:
Civil society organizations are non-
governmental organizations made up of
different kinds of people with various ideas,
interests and needs, seeking ways to improve
their lot as individuals, groups, organizations
or communities. It is also the aggregate of
non-governmental organization and
institutions that manifest the interests and
the will of the people. Civil society is the
arena outside of the family and the state
where people associate to advance common
interests.
The entire range of organized groups and
institutions that are independent of the state
formed to protect the values which sustain
the society are called civil organizations.

Types of Civil Society

Professional: NMA, NBA,
Labour Groups: Nigeria Labour Congress
Campaign for Democracy
Students Groups: National Association of
Nigerian Students
Business Groups: Manufacturer’s Association
of Nigeria, NGOS, Co-operatives and Cultural
Groups.
Lastly, Religious Groups: Christian Association
of Nigeria, Council for Islamic Affairs.

Functions of Civil Society

1. Civil Society organizations check the
excesses of political leaders and military
dictatorship.
2. They place importance on fairness and
justice
3. Civil Society fosters people’s participation
in governmental development.
4. Civil Society helps to settle conflicts and
mediate during Crisis.
5. Civil Society monitors the electoral
process and also makes elected leaders to
be accountable to the electorate.

Problems of Civil Society

1. Sometimes Civil Societies may not be
sincere in their motives but may have
their own narrow interests or hidden
agenda.
2. Some civil societies conduct their affairs
as though they are at war with the
government. This means having collision
with constituted authority.
3. Some civil Society groups raise fund from
international agencies and do not use it
for the purpose for which it was donated.
4. Sometimes, activities of some civil society
groups may have the tendency of inciting
citizens against political authorities there
by causing political crisis.
5. Some civil society groups enrich
themselves by embezzling the money
donated for programmes.
Qualities of Civil Society
1. Civil Society groups are civil, polite and
have respect for the laws and other
groups.
2. They get involved in social, political and
economic activities of the state and make
government to be responsible and
accountable.
3. Civil Society is set up by government.
They are independent of government.
4. Civil Society organizations are involved in
charity work e.g old peoples home.
5. Civil Society organizations are set up to
make the society better and they promote
popular interest and participation.

INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIP
This means the social association, connection
or affiliation between two or more people.

IMPORTANCE OF INTER-PERSONAL
RELATIONSHIP
The essence of inter-personal relationships
and its necessary tools can be cited as
follows:
1. Common goals: the main essence of
inter-personal relationships and necessary
tools for building them is sharing of
common goals, interests, views.
2. Respect/regard: genuine
respect/regard for each other’s view is
another important tool for inter-personal
relationship.
3. Inter-dependence: inter-dependence
is another tool for building inter-personal
relationships.
4. Transparency: transparency with traits
such as truthfulness, honesty, sincerity
are also aimportant for building inter-
personal relationships.
TYPES OF INTER-PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP
1. Platonic relationship: this is the type
of relationship that exists between
people of the same or different genders
without any intention of marriage or
intimate affairs. This kind of relationship
can exist between a man and woman,
boy and girl.
2. Relationship between male and
female: this is the kind of relationship
between a man and a woman. Most
times, this type of relationship leads
both partners to marriage if well
formalized. It also leads to the
formation of a family.
3. Relationship between man and God:
this relationship exists between the
creator and his creatures.
4. Family relationship: this type of
relationship exists between members of
the same family (biological family).
5. Relationship between man and man:
this is a friendship between two people
of the same gender who share similar
 interests such as social, economic,
religion interests and so on. This may
also exist between woman and woman,
boy and boy and girl and girl.
6. Peer relationship: this is the friendship
among people of same age bracket,
political or social, groups, classmates,
sports e.t.c. For example, fans of the
same football club, stars, political
leaders end up in peer relationships.
7. Relationship between individuals and
government: this is the relationship that
exists between an individual and his
government.
STAGES OF INTER-PERSONAL
RELATIONSHIP
A psychologist, George Levinger
explained five stages of inter-personal
relationships which are:
1. Acquisition stage: he said that
inter-personal relationship starts from
the point when two people meet each
other. People can meet in school,
church, club.
2. The building-up stage: this is the
stage where relationship extends
beyond just knowing each other. At
this stage, people develop strong,
deep and genuine confidence, hope
and trust in each other.
3. Continuation stage: this is the
stage where relationship deepens,
 that it is the deepest stage of
relationship. Here, there exists deep
level of closeness, joy, passion and
feelings for each other.
4. Deterioration: this is the stage
where all the flakes of the relationship
begin to wane.
5. Termination stage: this is the stage
when the relationship ends whether
by the event of death of one partner,
separation or divorce.

BASIC SKILLS THAT PROMOTE INTER-

PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP
 Some positive skills that can help build
and grow long-lasting inter-personal
relationships are:
1. TOLERANCE: people should tolerate
their partners for their relationships to
last long.
2. KINDNESS/CHARITY: this is one
essential skill needed to promote inter-
personal relationships. This means that
partners must always be there for each
other at their points of need.
3. PATIENCE/ENDURANCE: both partners
in any kind of inter-personal relationship
are supposed to patiently treat and
endure each other, even at the point of
difficulties of any kind.
4. HONESTY: truthfulness, meekness,
firmness are the essential skills to help
promote interpersonal relationship.
Partners of a relationship of any kind
should learn to tolerate each other for the
growth of interpersonal relationship.
5. FORGIVENESS: counting offences,
mistakes, weaknesses do not help a
relationship to grow. Hence, partners
should learn or imbibe the habit of
forgiving their partner’s mistakes
whenever such arises.
6. APPRECIATION AND CONTENTMENT:
partners of interpersonal relationship
should appreciate each other and be
satisfied with whatever is given them.
OBSTACLES TO INTERPERSONAL
RELATIONSHIP
The following are some of the factors or
obstacles that can hinder inter-personal
relationship:
1. DECEIT: people engaged in inter-
personal relationship must not deceive
each other in order for the relationship to
last long.
2. SADNESS: partners in interpersonal
relationship must always see the need to
smile and be cheerful towards each other.
3. MALICE AND UNFORGIVING SPIRIT:
partners of any interpersonal relationship
must not cultivate the habit of malice and
 unforgiveness if they wish to grow and
last in the relationship.
4. COMMUNICATION: there should be
effective communication between
partners no matter how far or near they
might be.
5. COMPATIBILITY: character is the main
subject of interpersonal relations. Those
whose characters do not match at all
should either work hard to build such or
end the interpersonal relationship that
exists between them due to the fact that
it will keep floundering always.