TOWARDS ADDRESSING PATRIOTISM PROBLEM IN NIGERIAN SOCIETY THROUGH VALUE EDUCATION IN SOCIAL STUDIES

Nigeria as a country is bedevilled with many vices which are currently affecting the realisation of the national objectives of the country despite all the strategies introduced by various government to entrench patriotism and nationalism among the citizens like learning of the national anthem and the pledge by heart as well as giving of national awards to patriotic Nigerians. Patriotism seems to be a mirage in Nigeria, as the moral values which are germane to national development are getting deteriorated on daily basis. In order to curb this challenge, there is need to teach value education through Social Studies so that learners can imbibe patriotism concepts as they grow to become useful and responsible citizens. Even though there are some problems associated with the teaching of values such as the relative nature of value to individual, variability of value due to time, diversity of human society, and prevailing circumstances; Social Studies education is poised towards overcoming these challenges thereby inculcating core values that can entrench patriotism amongst the learners. The paper therefore recommended among others that priority should be given to Social Studies education especially at the formative stage of schooling so that learners can imbibe the spirit of patriotism, and that Social Studies education teachers should focus more on the affective component of the subject area in order to inculcate patriotism among the learners.