In the second term of SSS 2 Geography, students will explore key topics related to environmental resources, agriculture, transportation, and industrial activities in Nigeria. These topics will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how human activities interact with the environment and how industries, agriculture, and transport systems play crucial roles in shaping the economy and daily life. This article provides a clear, well-explained, and detailed guide to each topic, ensuring that even beginners can understand the core concepts and apply them effectively. The topics covered include: Renewable and Non-renewable Resources, Environmental Problems (Hazards), Agriculture, Transportation in Nigeria, Manufacturing Industries, Measurement of Direction and Bearing, and Representation of Relief.
Week One: Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources
Key Concepts:
- Renewable resources are resources that can be replenished naturally over time, such as solar energy, wind, and biomass.
- Non-renewable resources are resources that cannot be replenished within a human lifespan, like coal, oil, and natural gas.
Explanation:
- Renewable resources are vital for sustainable development because they can be used without depleting future availability. Non-renewable resources, on the other hand, are finite and their overuse can lead to depletion, which affects future generations.
Example:
- Renewable: Solar power, which comes from the sun, can be harnessed repeatedly without depleting the sun’s energy.
- Non-renewable: Coal, used for electricity generation, is extracted from the earth and takes millions of years to form.
Reading Assignment:
- Investigate the impact of non-renewable resource consumption on the environment.
Evaluation Questions:
- Define renewable and non-renewable resources.
- Provide two examples of each type of resource.
- Explain why it is important to conserve non-renewable resources.
Week Two: Environmental Problems (Hazards)
Key Concepts:
- Environmental hazards refer to natural or human-made factors that can harm the environment and pose risks to human health and safety, such as pollution, deforestation, and climate change.
Explanation: Environmental problems often arise from human activities such as industrial pollution, agricultural runoff, and urbanization. Natural hazards like earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes can also cause significant environmental damage. Managing these hazards is crucial for sustainable development.
Example:
- Pollution: The release of toxic chemicals from factories into rivers can harm aquatic life and affect communities dependent on clean water sources.
- Deforestation: The clearing of forests for agricultural purposes leads to loss of biodiversity and contributes to climate change.
Reading Assignment:
- Study the major environmental hazards facing Nigeria and their impact on both the environment and the economy.
Evaluation Questions:
- What are environmental hazards, and how do they affect human life?
- Provide two examples of human-made environmental hazards.
- Discuss the impact of deforestation on the environment.
Week Three: Agriculture
Key Concepts:
- Agriculture involves the cultivation of crops and rearing of animals for food, raw materials, and other products.
Explanation: Agriculture is the backbone of many economies, providing food for consumption and raw materials for industries. In Nigeria, agriculture plays a critical role in employment and economic development. Different types of agriculture include subsistence farming (small-scale farming for family use) and commercial farming (large-scale production for sale).
Example:
- Subsistence farming: A farmer grows crops like maize and beans primarily for family consumption.
- Commercial farming: Large-scale production of cash crops such as cocoa and palm oil for export.
Reading Assignment:
- Explore the importance of agriculture in Nigeria’s economy and the different farming methods used.
Evaluation Questions:
- Define agriculture and explain its role in the economy.
- What is the difference between subsistence farming and commercial farming?
- Name two cash crops grown in Nigeria.
Week Four: Transportation in Nigeria
Key Concepts:
- Transportation refers to the movement of people, goods, and services from one location to another.
Explanation: Transportation is vital for economic growth and development. In Nigeria, transportation is primarily divided into road, rail, air, and water transport. Each mode of transportation has its advantages and challenges, with road transport being the most commonly used, followed by rail transport in some regions.
Example:
- Road transport: Lorries and buses used for the movement of goods and people across the country.
- Rail transport: Trains used for transporting bulk goods and passengers between major cities.
Reading Assignment:
- Research the current state of transportation infrastructure in Nigeria and the challenges faced by the sector.
Evaluation Questions:
- What are the four main modes of transportation in Nigeria?
- How does road transport contribute to Nigeria’s economy?
- Discuss the challenges facing transportation in Nigeria.
Week Five: Manufacturing Industries
Key Concepts:
- Manufacturing industries involve the transformation of raw materials into finished products through various processes.
Explanation: Manufacturing is a key driver of economic development, providing jobs, generating income, and producing goods for domestic use and export. Nigeria has industries in sectors such as food processing, textiles, cement production, and oil refining.
Example:
- Food processing: The production of packaged foods such as biscuits and canned vegetables.
- Oil refining: The conversion of crude oil into refined products like petrol and diesel.
Reading Assignment:
- Explore the role of manufacturing industries in Nigeria’s economic growth and development.
Evaluation Questions:
- Define manufacturing and explain its importance in economic development.
- Name two manufacturing industries in Nigeria.
- How do manufacturing industries create jobs?
Week Six: Manufacturing Industries (II)
Key Concepts:
- This week will continue to focus on the various manufacturing industries in Nigeria, their processes, challenges, and contributions to the economy.
Explanation: Different industries in Nigeria face unique challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, power shortages, and competition from imports. However, efforts are being made to improve these industries by enhancing technology, supporting local businesses, and increasing access to capital.
Example:
- Textile industry: Nigerian textile companies have faced challenges from foreign imports but have received government support to revive local production.
Reading Assignment:
- Research the steps being taken by the Nigerian government to improve local manufacturing industries.
Evaluation Questions:
- What challenges do Nigerian manufacturing industries face?
- How can the government support local industries?
- Discuss the importance of technology in improving manufacturing.
Week Seven: Measurement of Direction and Bearing
Key Concepts:
- Direction and bearing refer to the methods used in geography to determine the orientation or course of a route or feature on a map.
Explanation: In geography, measuring direction involves using the compass to determine the cardinal directions (North, South, East, West) and their intermediate directions (NE, SE, NW, SW). Bearing refers to the angle between the starting point and a specific direction.
Example:
- Direction: A bearing of 90° means heading directly east.
- Bearing: The direction from point A to point B is measured in degrees clockwise from north.
Reading Assignment:
- Study how to measure bearing on a map using a protractor and compass.
Evaluation Questions:
- What is the difference between direction and bearing?
- How do you measure bearing on a map?
- Why is it important to measure direction and bearing in geography?
Week Eight: Representation of Relief
Key Concepts:
- Relief refers to the physical features of the Earth’s surface, including mountains, valleys, and plains.
Explanation: In geography, relief is represented on maps using contour lines, colors, and shading. These techniques help us understand the shape of the land and how steep or flat the terrain is.
Example:
- Contour lines: Lines on a map that connect points of equal elevation above sea level.
- Shading: The use of darker colors to show areas of higher elevation.
Reading Assignment:
- Study how to read contour maps and understand how relief is depicted.
Evaluation Questions:
- What is relief in geography?
- How are contour lines used to represent relief on a map?
- What is the significance of understanding relief when studying geography?