2024 WAEC GCE Government (OBJ/Essay) Questions and Answers

(No 2)
(i) Liberalism prioritizes personal freedoms and rights, allowing individuals more choice in personal and economic matters, unlike socialism, which often emphasizes collective goals over individual preferences.

(ii) Liberalism supports a market-driven economy, where competition encourages efficiency, innovation, and economic growth. Socialism’s focus on state-controlled resources can sometimes lead to inefficiency.

(iii) Liberalism advocates for minimal government intervention, giving individuals and businesses more autonomy. Socialism, by contrast, typically involves extensive government control over resources and industries.

(iv) Liberalism values private ownership, which can lead to better resource management and incentives for individuals to invest and grow wealth, whereas socialism often restricts private property in favor of communal ownership.

(v) Liberalism encourages a diversity of beliefs, lifestyles, and choices, supporting tolerance and inclusivity. Socialism may prioritize uniformity and collective identity, potentially limiting individual expression.

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(5)
(PICK ANY FIVE)
(i) Increased Efficiency and Profitability:
Private ownership incentivizes profit maximization, leading to improved efficiency in operations and increased returns on investment.
(ii) Reduction of Government Spending:
Privatization reduces the financial burden on the government, freeing up funds for essential public services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
(iii) Access to Capital and Expertise:
Private investors often have access to greater capital and expertise, which can accelerate the growth and expansion of former state-owned enterprises.
(iv) Improved Customer Service:
Private companies are driven by the need to satisfy customer demands, leading to improved service quality and responsiveness.
(v) Competition and Innovation:
Privatization introduces competition into markets, encouraging innovation and improved product or service offerings.
(vi) Creation of Job Opportunities:
The growth and expansion of privatized enterprises can create new job opportunities in various sectors of the economy.
(vii) Transparency and Accountability:**
Private companies are generally subject to greater financial transparency and accountability, reducing corruption and enhancing public trust.
(viii) Reduction of Monopoly Power:
Privatization can break up state monopolies, promoting competition and preventing market distortions caused by government intervention.

(7)
(i) Promotion of Federalism and Regional Autonomy: Awolowo was a strong advocate for a federal system of government, which he believed would accommodate Nigeria’s ethnic diversity more effectively than a unitary system. His arguments for federalism influenced the constitutional conferences that led to Nigeria’s federal structure, a model that continues today.

(ii) Economic and Social Development through Education: Awolowo pioneered free primary education in Western Nigeria, making it the first region in Nigeria to introduce universal primary education. This approach increased literacy rates and contributed to a well-educated population that was crucial for Nigeria’s development and self-governance.

(iii) Formation and Leadership of the Action Group: Awolowo founded the Action Group (AG) in 1951, a political party that promoted progressive policies, regional autonomy, and social welfare. The AG became a powerful political force, especially in the Western Region, and set a model for organized, issues-based political engagement.

(iv) Advocacy for Economic Self-Sufficiency: As Premier of the Western Region, Awolowo promoted policies aimed at economic independence, including infrastructure development, industrialization, and the establishment of cooperative societies. His emphasis on financial autonomy for regions provided a framework for economic self-reliance within the federal structure.

(v) Role in Constitutional Negotiations and Debates: Awolowo played a critical role in negotiating the terms of Nigeria’s independence, advocating for minority rights and a fair federal arrangement. His intellectual contributions during constitutional conferences influenced the structure and principles of Nigeria’s governance at independence.