The festive season is here again and lots of people can't wait for all
that comes with it. The partying, drinking, eating, socializing,
beautiful lights, family getaways just to mention a few. While these
seasons are worth celebrating, most of us look at Patriotism these days
like it's another "Celebration." We hear reminders about “the true
meaning” of the celebration season and we may even mutter a few
guilt-ridden words to that effect ourselves—but each of us spend more
time and thought in parties, gift-giving, and the other paraphernalia of
a secularized holiday than we do deepening our devotion to the true
meaning.
Yes the true meaning of patriotism. Nigerians can get really patriotic,
especially on Independence Day in October, Democracy day in May and the
rest. Walk down the street in Nigeria and ask one citizen after another
what patriotism means and with few exceptions, you’ll get a passel of
the most self-righteous but superficial and often dead-wrong answers.
Nigeria’s Founders, the men and women who gave us reason to be patriotic
in the first place, would think we’ve lost our minds if they could see
how we have watered down acts of patriotism. Continue......
Since the boko haram insurgents, the rise of corrupt leaders and other
problems that have plagued the nation, most Nigerians are beginning to
have a feeling that somewhat makes them feel patriotic. For most, sadly,
a feeling suffices to make one a solid patriot. But if I’m right, it
goes beyond that and it’s high time Nigerians take a refresher course on
the subject "Patriotism"
Patriotism is not just love of country, if by “country” you mean the
land scape, its natural endowment and the likes. Almost every country
has collections of rocks, water, and stuff that people grow and eat. If
that’s what patriotism is all about, then Nigerians have little for
which we can claim any special or unique love. And surely, patriotism
cannot mean giving one’s life for a river or a rock (aso).
Patriotism is not patronizing politicians and blindly trusting in
anything our leaders tell us or do. That just replaces some lofty
concepts with mindless actions.
Patriotism is not simply showing up to vote. You need to know a lot more
about what motivates a voter before you judge his patriotism. He might
be casting a ballot because he just wants something at someone else’s
expense. Maybe he doesn’t care much where the politician he’s hiring
gets it. Remember Dr. Johnson’s wisdom: “Patriotism is the last refuge
of a scoundrel.”
Waving the flag can be an outward sign of patriotism, but let’s not
cheapen the term by ever suggesting that it’s anything more than a sign.
And while it’s always fitting to mourn those who lost their lives
simply because they resided on Nigerian soil, that too does not define
the true meaning of patriotism.
People in every country and in all times have expressed feelings of
something we flippantly call “patriotism,” but that just begs the
question. What is this thing, anyway? Can it be so cheap and meaningless
that a few gestures and feelings make you patriotic?
I subscribe to a patriotism rooted in ideologies that are strong enough
to build a great Nation. I’m a patriotic Nigerian because I revere the
ideas that motivated the Founders and compelled them, in many instances,
to put their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor on the line to fight for
the independence of the country.
What are ideologies? ideologies expresses directly or indirectly, the
views, ideas and interests of a nation. It’s been said that Nigeria
suffers an ideology crises, yet in the heart of every Nigerian, are
ideologies rooted in justice, unity, love, peace and honesty of purpose.
It’s the right of a free people to rid themselves of a government that
becomes destructive of those ends, as our Founders did in a supreme act
of courage and defiance more than fifty five years ago.
Call it freedom. Call it liberty. Call it whatever you want, but it’s
the bedrock on which this nation was founded and from which we stray at
our peril. It’s what has defined us as Nigerians. It’s what almost
everyone who has ever lived on this planet has yearned for. It makes
life worth living, which means it’s worth fighting for.
I hope the Ugandans, British, Americans, Paraguayans and other countries
have lofty ideals they celebrate when they feel patriotic, but whether
or not they do is a question you’ll have to ask them. I can only tell
you what patriotism means to me as a Nigerian.
It is standing up for freedom for all and for the sovereignty of our
Nation.I understand that Nigeria has often fallen short in many ways,
but that hasn’t diminished my reverence for her, nor has it dimmed my
hope that present/future generation of Nigerians will join hands
together to build a better and great Nigeria.
Freedom—understanding it, living it, teaching it, and supporting those
who are educating others about its principles. That, my fellow
Nigerians, is what patriotism should mean to each of us today.
Freedom from corruption, insurgencies, poverty, inequality,
unemployment, epileptic educational and health system, broken down
infrastructure, poor power supply etc is the cry of a true patriot.
What does patriotism mean to you? What can you do for your country
Nigeria and what Nigeria are you going to leave for the generations
after you? These discussions and more coming to you live on this blog
soon. Keep it logged in here, the real home for all patriotic
Nigerians.Together we can make a difference.
#BeTheChangeYouWantToSeeInNigeria.
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