Civic responsibility, which simply means ‘responsibility of citizens’, involves voluntary service and selfless attitude towards promotion of democratic governance and constitutional authority.  Civic responsibility is paramount to the success of democracy and social participation.

A responsible citizen participates in projects that help reshape communities and advance the growth and development of states and nation. It entails active participation in government policies and programmes.

By engaging in civic responsibility, citizens uphold democratic rules and regulations to promote constitutional rights. Some of these responsibilities legally required of every citizen includes respect and obedience to federal, state and local laws, payment of taxes as and when due, respecting the rights, beliefs and opinions of other people and defending the country when the need arises. 

Voting during election is one of the most fundamental forms of civic engagement in a democracy as it allows the electorate to choose leaders of their choice. Civic responsibility encourages citizens to be responsible and patriotic towards the affairs that will bring growth and unity among members of the society.

Citizens engage in activities that promote healthy societal values and national advancement by their active participation in political and governmental activities such as general administration, public safety, education, protection of infrastructural facilities, health and sanitation.

In the same vein, government exists to regulate, control and protect the interest of the people but it is the duty of the citizens to conform to rules and fundamental laws to maintain security, peace and stability. 

For purposes of efficiency and effectiveness, government provides essential services for the welfare of individuals and the people at large. These include the provision of good roads, pipe-borne water, electricity, education, educational facilities, public parks and recreation centers. Government also maintains hospitals and public health facilities, including sanitation, maternity and child welfare, primary health care and general health care delivery. The facilities are provided to cater for the common interest of the citizens to achieve goals, which neither individuals nor private corporations can effectively achieve on their own.

It is heartwarming that Governor Willie Obiano’s administration has positively impacted on the lives of the people and has equally provided essential and people oriented services that raise the standard of living of the people. With this visible commitment to the welfare of the people, the citizens, on their part, should be alive to their individual and collective obligations and responsibilities that would encourage the administration to do more.

Governor Obiano’s administration has put in place efficient security apparatus in the state and some agencies like Anambra State Fire Service to protect all public offices.

Hence, Ndi Anambra are expected to perform other civic obligations, including paying of taxes, obedience to traffic lights, participating in the political process, protection of public property, keeping the environment clean, reporting suspicious movements and providing useful and prompt information to security agencies to enable them carry out their duties effectively. 

These constitutional duties and obligations of the citizens will help to bring stability and development in the state. Citizens should equally participate in projects such as clearing park paths, assisting the under privileged, including the motherless babies, participating in sanitation exercise and contributing generally to good governance.

Indeed, the responsibility of every citizen calls for an active participation and total dedication to the growth and welfare of the society. 

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