National consciousness and identity

Meaning of National Consciousness

National consciousness is the feeling of love for one’s country. This is called National Consciousness or Nationalism. The love for one’s country is paramount in the mind of such individual. People in a Nation share the following:

(i) Common territory

(ii) Economic life

(iii) Political system

(iv) Constitution

Meaning of National Identity

National identity refers to the characteristics by which a Nation can be recognized.

Identity is a situation in which things are the same or alike. In this wise, people from particular cultural group are different from another and can easily be known because of some common characteristics they possess. For instance, the Igbo’s are different from Yoruba’s. The features that distinguish them from the Yoruba’s are language, mode of dressing, greetings, marriage practices, dance patterns, art, values, festivals, customs and tradition. Each tribe in Nigeria has its own specific cultural features that make it different from other tribes.

Ethnic Composition of Nigeria

Nigeria is inhabited by people with different traditions and socio-cultural set up. It is almost a matter of controversy in trying to ascertain the number of ethnic groups in Nigeria. Over 250 ethnic groups have been identified to be in Nigeria, though some are sub-groups of a larger group. Nigeria has three dominant (major) ethnic groups namely; Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa. Other ethnic groups exist. These are Gwari, Kanuri, ShuwaArabs, Angas, Tiv, Nupe, Edo, Urhobo, Izon, Ibibio,Itsekiri, Efikand others.

The Yoruba ethnic group occupy the south-west of Nigeria and they are found mainly in Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Lagos and in parts of Kwara, Kogi and Edo states.

The Hausa-Fulani ethnic group occupies the extreme Northwestern part of the country and borders of Middle belt. Such states are, Zamfara, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, Bauchi, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Adamawa.

The Igbo occupy the South Eastern part of Nigeria.The main States are: Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo and parts of Delta and Rivers States.

Other notable ones are the Izon found mainly the coastal states of Nigeria, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and coastal areasof Ondo State; The Nupe in Niger, parts of Kogi and Kwara States; The Tiv and Idoma in Benue State, the Efik and Ibibio in Akwa-Ibom and Cross-River States; The Urhobo, Isoko, Itsekiri in Delta State, The Kanuri, Shuwa Arabs etc in Borno and Yobe States; numerous others intermixing with these and the major ethnic groups across the country are regarded  as the minority tribes.

Aspects of National Identity

1. We can identify with our country as a member and citizen of Nigeria. The federal Government controls the whole Nation and we are part of it.
2. The international passport which is issued by Federal Ministry of internal affairs for intending travelers outside Nigeria serves as a National Identity.
3. We can also identify with our constitution which controls both the government and the people of Nigeria.
4. There is also the National Identity card which is issued to all Nigerians to serve as means of identification.
5. We can also identify with our National symbols like the flag, Anthem and the pledge which serve as a symbol of Nationhood.
6. Our currency (Naira and Kobo) is another major form of National identity.

EVALUATION

1. What is National identity and consciousness?
2. List five states occupied by the following ethnic groups (a) Yoruba (b) Hausa (c) Igbo

What is the difference between National identity and National Consciousness