Being patriotic is loving ones county; deeper commitment to the welfare of co-compatriots or citizens, passion to serve one’s country, desire to compete with other nations among others. The word patriotism is tantamount to loyalty. A patriot will be loyal to his/her country in every respect.
The spirit of patriotism was the driving force that assisted the nationalists to got Nigeria independent in 1960. The same spirit led to a republican state in 1963. The nationalists made the whole world to know that Nigeria is prone to development like other advance countries of the world. This brought about the tour to Nigeria as contained in the reports of Phelps-strokes commission of 1921. Citizens of the advanced countries of the world cannot compromise their loyalty to their nations for anything no matter how valuable; money, riches or gold. The patriotic spirit is fading off in Nigeria.
Majority of our leaders are egocentric, they see leadership or political post as means of accruing wealth and securing better future for their children at the expense of other citizens. This menace is detrimental to democracy and kills more than HIV and Boko Haram. Because if Nigerians are patriotic, there will be no Boko Haram. Patriots are not fractional, regional, tribal-bias, religion impartial and nepotistic in their leadership and political dealings. But this practice is a popular and well adopted one among Nigeria leaders. The patriotic spirit that is lacking among Nigerians is reversing the national anthem day-by-day. What can we say about the works of our heroes past? They brought us love, unity, peace, progress, togetherness among others, but what is the situation now?
Lack of unity, peace, love and cries of break-up, are we not working towards making the work of our heroes past to be in vain? Also, many Nigerians claimed that to serve Nigeria is not by force, this is evident in the way many Nigerians discharged their duties lesser than expectations. Youth corps members are no longer discharging their duties well at places of their primary assignments. Security officers are no longer dedicated and faithful, the judiciary system is not exempted among others. But a part of Nigeria’s anthem says “to serve Nigeria with all my strength” can you see the havoc lack of patriotism has caused Nigeria? Instead of working in the direction to catch-up with developed countries of the world, we are pulling Nigeria down by lack of patriotic spirit every moment.
This is a clarion call to political functionaries, religion leaders, Nigeria securities, parents, children and all Nigerians to embrace the spirit of patriotism in totality. This spirit of patriotism should guide our voting during the general election and Nigeria will be better.
Akintola David Akinjide (Ph.D.),
Ogbomoso.
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