SOCIAL STUDIES AND COUNSELLING AS MEANS OF CURBING TERRORISM AND MILITARISM FOR NATIONAL SECURITY AND PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE IN NIGERIA

Social Studies education is a value laden subject, which relates citizen obligation and duties to the state. It is a process of integrating the citizen with national policies, economic, social and technological values. Social Studies is defined as citizenship education that prepares individuals to live cooperatively with one another, appreciate one’s culture and have a thorough knowledge of existing norms, structure and privileges. Counselling on the other hand helps the individual to realize the need for interdependence with various groups of the society and the world at large. The paper begins by explaining vividly the concept of terrorism and militarism and establishes the difference between terrorism and militarism. It reveals that militarism is the offspring of terrorism, and that different countries of the world adopted militarism to protect their nation and restore law and order. The paper reveals that militarism and terrorism are problems that affect harmonious living of Nigerian people. In addition the paper highlights causes of conflicts or crises in the past and recent Nigeria. It further looks at Social Studies and counselling as an imperative paradigm as a means of curbing terrorism and militarism in Nigeria. It suggests that Social Studies and Counselling approaches and strategies be used for harmonious living to enhance lasting peaceful co-existence in Nigeria