GCE Civic Education 2024 Theory Past Questions

Model answer

(a) Bases of emergence of constituted authority in the state: i. Inheritance/Tradition/Custom - authority is derived from traditional systems where power is passed down through inheritance, adhering to established customs and practices within a community. ii. Law/Legal System/Constitution of the State - constituted authority emerges through a formalized set of laws and rules, established in the state's constitution, which guide governance and the legal framework. iii. Charisma/Unique God-given Personal Qualities/Attributes - a leader can gain authority through exceptional personal qualities, such as charisma, which inspire and attract followers, making them accept the leader's authority. (b) Roles of traditional leaders in a democratic society: i. Assisting the police and other law enforcement agencies in the prevention of crime and apprehension of offenders within their jurisdiction/area of operation. ii. Assisting and cooperating with other organs of government (central/regional/state/local government) in the execution/implementation of policies, programmes and projects. iii. Preservation and maintenance of cultural/historical sites, works of art, literary works and historical sites/monuments/museums. iv. Upholding the promotion/protection/preservation of the culture of the society, and performing traditional functions and ceremonial functions. v. Interpreting the customary laws applicable to their traditional communities, and serving as custodians of the history and tradition of the people. vi. Promoting the welfare of the people through provision of social amenities and organizing the community for self-help projects, helping youths and community members embark on individual projects. vii. Settling disputes amicably among the people in their communities and representing the people as their spokespersons. viii. Defending the community from external attacks/war, and helping the government to educate people on government policies, programmes and activities. ix. Serving as intermediary between their people and the government of the day, serving as advisers to government, and promoting law and order and good/obedient followership in their respective jurisdiction. x. Helping to instil good morals and discipline in their subjects through local laws and interactions, and promoting popular participation in the affairs of their communities/societies. xi. Monitoring the performance of activities of elected/appointed officials in government in their areas. (Any six of the above roles are acceptable.)

Model answer

(a) Community service refers to a voluntary involvement or participation in processes and activities that can add value and improve the quality of lives and living of the people in any community where citizens reside. (b) Benefits of community service: i. Speeds up development in communities - community service accelerates local development by addressing immediate needs. ii. Gives opportunity to individuals to serve humanity at the community level - it allows people to contribute positively to their local communities. iii. Promotes unity/national integration/consensus building - community service fosters a sense of unity and national integration among diverse groups. iv. Helps in solving communal problems - it provides practical solutions to local issues. v. Draws the attention of government to projects that require intervention - community efforts can highlight areas needing government support. vi. Fosters peaceful co-existence in the community/peace and order - it promotes harmony and peaceful living among residents. vii. Inculcates the spirit of community service in youths/people - engaging in service builds a habit of helping others. viii. Creates an avenue for citizens to participate in government/governance - it encourages active citizen involvement in governance. ix. Cultivates leadership skills and values in citizens - participation develops leadership and valuable skills. x. Cultivates effective followership - it teaches the importance of being a good follower and supporting leaders. xi. Promotes cooperation/collaboration/networking among stakeholders - it encourages collaboration among different community members. xii. Promotes effective teamwork/building among community members - community service strengthens teamwork. (Any six of the above benefits are acceptable.)

Model answer

(a) Road users include: i. Motorists ii. Pedestrians iii. Cyclists (any three of: motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, tricycle riders, animals, people living with disabilities, truck/cart pushers, hawkers, skate riders, road construction/maintenance workers). (b) Requirements road users must comply with to ensure safer roads: i. Maintenance of discipline by road users - road users must always follow rules and regulations to ensure order and safety on the roads. ii. Safety consciousness by road users - use pedestrian crossings and overhead bridges to reduce accidents. iii. Obedience to traffic rules and regulations/traffic officials - always follow traffic signs and instructions from traffic officials. iv. Avoiding over-speeding/reckless driving - drive within speed limits to prevent accidents. v. Ensuring the availability of safety equipment in serviceable condition in vehicles plying the roads - check that all safety equipment in the vehicle is functional. vi. Driving under sane condition/good health condition, not fatigued - only drive when healthy and well-rested. vii. Adequate awareness of education on traffic rules and regulations - stay informed about traffic laws and safe driving practices. viii. Proper maintenance of vehicles/ensuring roadworthiness - regularly service the vehicle to keep it roadworthy. ix. Avoiding distraction/ensuring full concentration while on the road. x. Avoiding competition while using the road - do not race or compete with other road users. xi. Possession of adequate knowledge/skills in the use of safety equipment/devices in the vehicle. xii. Wearing of reflective clothing/stickers at night to stay visible to others. xiii. Possession of a valid driving licence - always carry a valid driving licence when driving. xiv. Being mindful of weather conditions on the highway and adjusting driving accordingly. xv. Avoiding tail-gating/bumper-to-bumper driving - keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front. (Any six of the above requirements are acceptable.)

Model answer

i. Placing/enforcement of stiff penalties for drug-related offences in schools - implementing and strictly enforcing severe penalties for drug-related offences can deter students from engaging in substance abuse. ii. Exposure to drug-related education in the school system - integrating drug education into the curriculum helps students understand the dangers of substance abuse and equips them with knowledge to make informed decisions. iii. Students should be taught moral and religious precepts and principles - teaching moral and religious values instils a sense of right and wrong, guiding students to avoid behaviours like substance abuse. iv. Access to hard drugs should be controlled by school authorities - schools should implement strict measures to monitor and restrict the availability of hard drugs within school premises. v. Students should be encouraged to resist negative peer pressure - encouraging students to stand firm against negative peer influence empowers them to make positive choices and avoid succumbing to pressures to engage in substance abuse. vi. Exemplary lifestyles by members of staff should be encouraged - teachers and school staff should model healthy, drug-free lifestyles, serving as role models for students to emulate. vii. Provision of adequate security to prevent drug trafficking/access to schools - implementing stringent security measures can help prevent the entry and trafficking of drugs within school premises. viii. Provision of mental health support services in schools - schools should have mental health professionals available to provide counselling and support for students struggling with substance abuse or related issues. ix. General awareness/media campaigns against substance abuse should be intensified. x. There should be effective counselling services for students on drug-related matters. xi. Celebrities and role models should be in the forefront of anti-drug campaigns in schools. xii. Regular visits to schools by drug law enforcement agencies, and parents' active involvement in monitoring their children/wards regarding drug-related activities. (Any five of the above are acceptable.)

Model answer

(a) Ways HIV/AIDS can be prevented: i. Public enlightenment and education on HIV/AIDS and its prevention. ii. Unmarried people should abstain from unprotected sex/usage of condom. iii. HIV/AIDS tests should be carried out to determine HIV/AIDS status. iv. Contact with infected body fluid, such as infected blood, should be avoided. v. Infected needles and other sharp objects should be used once and disposed of. vi. Surgical instruments should be properly sterilized before use. vii. Pregnant women should be tested for HIV/AIDS, and blood to be transfused should be screened for HIV/AIDS before use. (Any five of the above are acceptable.) (b) Symptoms usually associated with People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA): i. Tuberculosis/dry cough - a persistent dry cough, often accompanied by tuberculosis, which is common in PLWHA due to a weakened immune system. ii. Memory loss/amnesia - difficulty in remembering things or experiencing significant memory loss. iii. Nausea/urge to vomit - frequent feelings of nausea and the urge to vomit. iv. Extreme weakness/chronic fatigue - persistent and severe tiredness not relieved by rest. v. Persistent fevers/headache - recurring fevers and headaches. vi. Swollen lymph glands/nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin. vii. Chronic diarrhoea/dehydration, profuse night sweating, unexplained weight loss/emaciation, mouth/genital/anal sores, skin rashes, blurred vision, anaemia/paleness, pneumonia, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, and recurrent fungal infections. (Any five of the above are acceptable.)

Model answer

(a) Agencies responsible for curtailing human trafficking include: i. Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF) ii. Civil Society Organizations iii. The media iv. National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) (any three of these, or similar bodies such as the Nigeria Police, NACTAL, NIS, etc.). (b) Problems associated with human trafficking: i. Forced labour/child labour - victims are coerced into working in harsh conditions for little or no pay, often under the threat of violence, with many being deprived of their childhood and education. ii. Social stigmatization - victims of human trafficking often face discrimination and ostracism from society, leading to difficulties in reintegrating into their communities. iii. Unwanted pregnancy - victims, especially women and girls, may become pregnant as a result of sexual exploitation, leading to further physical and emotional trauma. iv. Untimely death of victims - the harsh conditions, violence, and neglect faced by victims can lead to premature death. v. Trauma/depression/torture - victims often suffer from severe psychological trauma, including depression and PTSD, due to the brutal and inhumane treatment they endure. vi. Organ harvesting - some victims are trafficked for the purpose of illegal organ trade, resulting in the loss of vital organs and even death. vii. Drug abuse/drug trafficking, forced prostitution/sexual abuse, denial of access to education, physical abuse of victims, increase in crime rates, and spread of HIV/AIDS and other STDs. (Any six of the above are acceptable.)

Model answer

(a) The rule of law means the principle of democracy that emphasizes supremacy of law, equality before the law, observance of human rights, and absence of arbitrariness in governance. (b) Conditions that can enhance adherence to the principle of rule of law in a democracy: i. The law must be respected by all citizens/entities/institutions/government. ii. Laws must be clearly stated; they should not mean different things to different people. iii. Laws must be adequately publicized/awareness created - every citizen must get to know about it; it should not be hidden. iv. Enforcement of adequate sanctions/punishment on violators of the law. v. All accused persons must be given the opportunity to defend themselves in court/prosecution (exercise of right of fair hearing). vi. There must be no retrospective or retroactive application of law. vii. Law enforcement agents must follow due process in investigation and prosecution. viii. Members of the public must be human-rights-conscious/vigilant. ix. Democratic government or governance must be free and independent of other organs of government. x. The judiciary must be free and independent of other organs of government. xi. Freedom of the press - the press should not be gagged in order to discharge their duty effectively. xii. Constitutionalism/practice of adherence to constitution in governance, right of appeal for violators, separation of powers, checks and balances of the organs of government, an efficient policing system, and existence of legal aid to support the vulnerable or poor in litigation. (Any six of the above are acceptable.)

Model answer

i. Weak or inadequate intra-party democracy - political parties often lack internal democratic practices, leading to decisions being made by a few influential members. ii. Godfatherism in party politics - powerful individuals, or 'godfathers,' exert control over political candidates and elected officials, undermining democratic principles. iii. Poverty - high levels of poverty make it difficult for many citizens to participate fully in the democratic process and can lead to vote buying. iv. Poor justice delivery system - inefficiencies and corruption within the judicial system hinder the enforcement of laws and protection of democratic rights. v. Prevalence of insecurity/political violence/terrorism - frequent violence and terrorism create a climate of fear that disrupts democratic processes. vi. Monetization of politics/electoral politics/vote buying - the influence of money in politics leads to corruption and undermines fair competition in elections. vii. Ethnicism/tribalism in politics, politicization of religion/religious fanaticism/extremism, high level of political apathy, low turnout of voters in elections, high level of electoral malpractice/rigging, military intervention in politics, and lack of independence of the electoral commission/officials. (Any five of the above are acceptable.)

Model answer

i. The constitution has a preamble or introduction stating the essence of the constitution/owners and makers of the constitution. ii. It defines the distribution of powers, functions, and relationship among the three organs and levels of government. iii. The procedure for its amendment is stipulated in the constitution. iv. It entrenches the fundamental human rights of the citizens. v. The constitution stipulates the administrative structure of the civil service and public service. vi. The constitution states the type of party system the country will operate; it expresses the ideals and aspirations of the people or citizens/fundamental principles and objectives of the state. vii. It specifies the type, system, and form of government to be adopted. viii. It defines the criteria for an individual to acquire citizenship, their duties and obligations. ix. It recognizes the composition of the forms/tiers/levels of government. (Any five of the above are acceptable.)