Class: Primary 4
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 3
Age: 9 years
Duration: 40 minutes
Subject: History
Curriculum Theme: History
Previous Lesson: History And Contributions Of Heroes And Heroines In The Locality
Topic: Heroes And Heroines In Nigeria: Jaja Of Opobo And Ovonramwen Of Benin
Content: Heroes and heroines in Nigeria, e.g., Jaja of Opobo, Oba Ovonramwen of Benin.

Performance Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain:

Identify Jaja of Opobo and Oba Ovonramwen as Nigerian heroes.
State two achievements of each hero.

Affective Domain:
3. Appreciate the importance of preserving Nigeria’s history.

Psychomotor Domain:
4. Illustrate key events in the lives of Jaja of Opobo and Oba Ovonramwen through role play.

Social Domain:
5. Share stories of other Nigerian heroes during group discussions.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 – Years Basic Education Curriculum.
Abuja Educational Resource Centre Scheme of Work.
NAPPS National Unified Scheme of Work.
Online information from: Wikipedia – Jaja of Opobo
Relevant Textbooks.

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

A timeline chart of events in the lives of Jaja of Opobo and Oba Ovonramwen.
Pictures of the two heroes.
Flashcards with achievements and contributions of the heroes.
A Nigerian map showing Opobo and Benin.

Rationale for the Lesson

Understanding the lives and contributions of Nigerian heroes helps pupils appreciate their heritage, learn lessons of resilience, and foster a sense of national pride.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have learned about heroes and heroines in their locality and can mention some of their achievements.

Instructional Procedures

To deliver this lesson, the teacher will adopt the following steps:

Content Development	Time	Teaching Method	Teaching Strategy	Teacher’s Activity	Pupils’ Activity	Learning Point
Step 1: Introduction	5 mins	Set induction	Questioning	Leads pupils to mention some heroes and heroines in Nigeria.	Respond by naming known heroes.	Heroes exist in every culture and history.
Step 2: Presentation	10 mins	Explanation	Storytelling	Explains the life histories of Jaja of Opobo and Oba Ovonramwen.	Listen attentively and ask questions.	Jaja and Ovonramwen contributed to Nigerian history.
Step 3: Illustration	5 mins	Visual aids	Demonstration	Shows pictures and maps to locate Opobo and Benin.	Observe and locate the places on the map.	Heroes come from different regions of Nigeria.
Step 4: Note taking	5 mins	Written work	Guided writing	Guides pupils to copy the lesson note.	Copy the note carefully.	Key facts about Jaja and Ovonramwen.
Step 5: Role Play	7 mins	Dramatization	Interactive learning	Assigns pupils roles to act key events in the heroes’ lives.	Act scenes as guided.	Understanding through action.
Step 6: Evaluation	5 mins	Questioning	Group response	Asks questions based on the lesson.	Respond to questions in turns.	Reviewing lesson comprehension.
Step 7: Conclusion	3 mins	Recap	Summary	Summarizes the achievements of both heroes.	Participate in the recap.	Reflect on the lesson content.

Lesson Content

Heroes And Heroines In Nigeria: Jaja Of Opobo And Ovonramwen Of Benin

Nigerian heroes and heroines played significant roles in shaping the country’s history. Two notable figures are Jaja of Opobo and Oba Ovonramwen of Benin.

Jaja of Opobo (1821–1891): Jaja of Opobo, originally known as Jubo Jubogha, was born around 1821 in the Niger Delta region. He was sold into slavery at a young age but worked diligently to gain his freedom. Rising through the ranks of the Anna Pepple House, a powerful trading house in Bonny, he eventually became its head. Jaja founded the Opobo Kingdom in 1869 after breaking away from Bonny due to disputes over trade rights. He strategically controlled the lucrative palm oil trade, establishing Opobo as a major trading hub. His resistance to British interference in local trade earned him admiration but also led to conflict with colonial authorities. In 1887, Jaja was tricked into surrendering and exiled to the West Indies. Despite this, he remains a symbol of resilience and leadership in Nigerian history. He passed away in 1891 while returning to Opobo.
Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi (1857–1914): Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi (1857–1914) was the 35th Oba of the Benin Kingdom, ascending the throne in 1888. His reign was marked by resistance against British colonial expansion. Oba Ovonramwen opposed British demands for trade control and interference in Benin’s sovereignty. After his defeat, Ovonramwen surrendered to the British and was exiled to Calabar, where he died in 1914. His legacy lives on as a reminder of the bravery and resilience of the Benin Kingdom during colonial times.

Lesson Evaluation

To evaluate the learning, the teacher asks pupils to:

Name the two heroes discussed in the lesson.

Mention one achievement of Jaja of Opobo.
Describe the resistance of Oba Ovonramwen against the British.
Explain why we should remember these heroes today.
Share the importance of preserving Nigerian history.

Note for Teachers Using This Lesson Plan

This lesson is an opportunity to instill pride in Nigeria’s rich history. Make the role play engaging and encourage pupils to connect with the stories. Happy teaching!

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Heroes And Heroines In Nigeria: Jaja Of Opobo And Ovonramwen Of Benin (Primary 4)