Being Patriotic

Nigeria is marking 58 years of independence today.

We should be celebrating and having huge street festivals all over the 36 states but alas, coming out of my house this morning, I see people going about their business like every other day. There is no air of excitement, no hint that today is even an Independence Anniversary.

I guess the question we are all asking ourselves is “What have we achieved in 58 years?”

The first thing that comes to mind is the huge pot bellies our politicians carry, how much our senators and representatives earn every month and even the months they take off for vacation yearly.

My brothers and sisters, politics is the real business in this country. No wonder people are ready to wipe out the entire nation just to win elections. It seems to be the most viable business in the nation.

But let’s hold on a minute, we have spent years and years lamenting and complaining. Every election period, we listen to false promises, we tell ourselves that this time, surely this time, things will be different, and we will create a new Nigeria. 

Election seasons carry a distinct ray of hope, an air of excitement with it but do not be deceived, that hope is most times solely based on greedy ambitions.

People are canvassing for win so that their pocket will be favoured when their candidate wins. Simple!

It’s the dreamers like me that are hoping for at last, that change, that great nation we have been hearing of since we were babes but never actually experienced.

So, today, instead of complaining and lamenting, I am going to use the public holiday to think of ways my country can be better and how I, in my own small way, can contribute to it. Then I will begin to do it.

I mean, why do we wait?

Like the Americans say, think of what you can do for your country, not what your country can do for 

you.

I know that in Nigeria, we don’t want to stick our necks out for the nation, after all, nobody will commend the efforts and sometimes, it just means danger to yourself and family.

But that is not what I am asking you to do.

Example: Chimamanda, in all her fame and popularity, in all her international influence and affluence, chooses to remain unapologetically Nigerian. She wears only Nigerian designs publicly and carries her natural afro hair with pride everywhere. That is patriotism.

To be patriotic is not only carrying gun and fighting for the nation. It is also not blindly supporting all the country does or says. To be patriotic is not just being willing to defend the nation.

I think the small way we can be patriotic is to Change the Nigerian Narrative.

What the world sees every time is death, chaos and underdevelopment. Why don’t we change that by showing the sides of us that make us proud? 

Let us also tell the good stories. Let's not rush to social media to show the tell the bad stories, hoping to go viral. Let's also use that same zeal to tell the good stories on social media.

So think about Nigeria and the things you love about Nigeria and begin to showcase that. That is your patriotic act. Your life will not be in danger. Your pride will commend you. And most importantly, you will not just be a complaining voice but a working hand.