Nigeria @63 And The Big Question On Patriotism -By Siyi Umar Saleh

October 1st, 1960 was the day the World’s most populous black nation, Nigeria got independence from her erstwhile British colonial masters. Since that very day, the country has celebrated that historic moment as the calendar year cycles.

However, amidst the fanfare and festivities (mostly state-funded), the anniversary comes with polarized views and opinions amongst citizens. This year’s is not an exemption. On one side, we have people celebrating out of the sheer optimism that they still have over the future of the country. And on the other side, we have people that believe the “shege” (a slang used to describe the infuriating problems and woes of the country) they have seen is enough reason to dissociate themselves from country. They are unapologetically unpatriotic towards the country and they do so filled with rage and uncouthness as seen and heard on some social spaces in the last 24 hours or so. They asked daringly “what has Nigeria ever done to me?” in protest of the independence anniversary celebrations.

The worrisome part of it is the latter group are largely predominant.

Evidently, the country has been on a backward spiral over years. The security of of lives and properties is porously deteriorating. The economy is rapidly dwindling. The infrastructure are virtually disappearing. Health and Education systems are subliminally damaged from the apex level to their lowest foundations. Jobs are nearly nonexistent.

But these ‘sheges’ are arguably synonymous with any other country albeit the fact that ours appear to be continuous in nature. That alone can understandably turn even the most optimistic minds away. This raises the big question on the streets “Do Nigerian Citizens still owe the country patriotism?”

In answering this I will be a moderator while I let you and your conscience represent the aforementioned polarized groups in this debate.

Personally, I believe that every ‘great nation’ that we tend to abruptly site as an example is a product of firstly, patriotism before any other variable in the equation. So whenever the Grass is greener somewhere syndrome (GIGSS) strikes us, let us remember that no great nation can be built in the absence of patriotism.

On the bedeviling challenges, we might use the case of how the ‘great nations’ of the world emerged from ruins to phoenixes as source of inspiration. Admittedly, our challenges appear to be insurmountable as the years gone by courtesy of lack of deliberate planning, political sabotage and ineptitude in leadership. But hey! If China can use their poverty stricken population as a weapon to turn into a 1st World economy, then why not Nigeria? If America can overcome its divisions that led to a Civil War and become a United front for greatness worthy of emulation, then why not us? India has mitigated its corruption that is similitude to ours and built an export driven economy, then why can’t we hope?

Closer to home, Rwanda has put the pains of the genocide behind them to become one of the cleanest and safest tourist destinations, then why can’t we aspire?

For the people that throw the ridiculous “what has Nigeria ever done to me?” question, former US president, John F. Kennedy answered your question in style back in 1961 “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country!”

On the logical realm, if we don’t show patriotism to our country, do we have another country to do so? Or what will be the fate of the country when all of us decide to turn our backs on the country? Would it be livable? It won’t be an anecdote say that we are only seeing glimpses of peace and development once in a blue moon in this country because some of us stick to being patriotic. The talented men and women across Sports, Entertainment, Literature, Business, Technology that are so proud to be associated with the Nigerian flag aren’t doing so because they’re happy with the state of things. Or do you think the men of the Armed forces are out there, putting their lives on the line because they are well paid? Absolutely No!

This is exactly the point. That our systems are yet to give the desired output but series of ‘Sheges’ here and there, it does not you take away our enshrined responsibilities as citizens of this country!

Patriotism doesn’t lie on the pixels of a great country you envisaged or the volume of ‘sheges’ you’ve seen. Neither does it hang on the political leader nor your political allegiance.

It is a civic responsibility that is unconditional, constant and absolute.
On the final note, this piece isn’t about being a contrarian in the face of a populist mentality, but a needed reminder that patriotism to one’s nation should NEVER be contemplated!

Happy Independence Day once again!
God bless Nigeria!