It is another day to reflect on Nigeria’s journey towards true nationhood and development since independence on October 1, 1960. At this point of the country’s journey, it is difficult to be optimistic on a direction towards a better future for the country without relapsing into one sentiments or the other. At the face of the increasing levels of mistrust, religious bigotry, nepotism, ethnicism, micro and macro-tribal nationalism, self determination, populism, insurgency, corruption and youth restiveness plaguing the country, preaching patriotism becomes a herculean task.
However, it is a tested stance that the best only emerges after the most difficult times. An individual, institution or society’s ability to withstand such period yields the ultimate benefit. In fact, it is said “Na onye gbakata ghalu, nke ọgbara agba a laa ya n’iyi.” It is on this note that Nigeria, as a country that has reached that crossroads, must not be deterred but consider it pertinent to rethink her understanding and practice of patriotism if there will be a conscientious agreement to begin the journey towards true nation building. Hence, this is the most germane time to discuss patriotism in light of the Nigerian experience and her march towards its promised land.
The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy offers a very simple definition of patriotism. It says that patriotism is love for one’s country, identification with it, special concern for its well-being and that of its compatriots and the willingness to sacrifice to promote the country’s good.
Patriotism places the interest of the nation ahead of other personal, political or regional interests or any attempt to mask such individual interests as public interest. It commits to collective good and says, “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” in the words of former US President, John F. Kennedy. Mr Kennedy was, also, unequivocal when he said “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill,
that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” By this, He
underscored the sacrifices, prices, burdens, and hardships that must be conquered to reach nationhood. He highlighted that the process of nationhood is a never ending effort and that is
constantly under threat and also emphasizes that a people driven patriotism must protect liberty – independence to hold thought and actions which are the foundations basic for democracy.
Regrettably, this understanding of patriotism which were upheld by the founders of Nigeria such as Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and co has eluded us today. As against the vision to build a nation where unity, peace and justice shall prevail, where there will be equal access to opportunities not minding ones’ religious orientation, tribe, ethnicity, or gender, and a shinning example for the black world, the country has been reduced to a land where dreams die and her offsprings describe their migration to other lands for greener pastures as an escape – “japa”. Today, the divisions across different social stratifications are widening; compromise of national institutions for selfish personal aggrandizement is the order of the day; impunity and promulgation of unsustainable policies by the ruling class and unwillingness by the led to commit to their civic obligations and to hold the leaders accountable once they favour them have become the resort.
Everyone in the equation must be held accountable for what Nigeria has become and for what it will become. Any day you bend the rules to favour yourself or your kinsman, advance destructive conspiracy theories to sustain a tribal or regional sentiment or prejudice, or say and take actions that propagate the saying, “In Nigeria, anything goes”, you have become a major contributor to the waning state of the country. If you are patriotic only when you have an immediate benefit to reap, then you must have a rethink today.
Patriotism should not be conditional. It should, at all times, think about the country first. It must be committed to the country’s survival. This is the way we must think of patriotism in Nigeria if we must become a nation where, together, we can “great lofty heights attain”.
Happy Independence Day, Nigeria!
Written by ABS EDITORIAL
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