In governance, both the governor and the governed have roles to play. Thus it is important that the governed [the citizenry] are well aware of their rights, roles and responsibilities. Without proper understanding of government and how it works, the citizens will not be in a position to hold government accountable.
It is for this reason that government has the duty of ensuring that the citizens understand governance and what the roles of individuals are in running the country. That is why every government makes sure that there is a civic education department.
In a democratic state, the civic awareness campaign is [should be] a continuous process. Many a time we observe that people only want to know about government before, during and shortly after elections. After elections, it’s over and done with. But civic education is not only about elections. Civic duty goes far beyond voting and electioneering.
It is the role of every individual in a country to know what your rights, responsibilities and duties are. It is after knowing this that you would be able to perform your duties fully.
We therefore need civic education. It is when we are well informed and are aware of what government is, that we will be able to do away with issues of [or which bring] bigotry like tribalism, sectionalism or regionalism. It is then that we will see and value an inclusive outlook which will bear fruits of unity, peace and progress for our nation.
