THE VALUE OF PATRIOTISM IN CREATING THE NIGERIA OF OUR DREAMS
-Goto Emmanuel
Nigeria is one of the most populated countries in Africa accommodating over 200 million people, with over 250 languages across the 36 states including the Federal capital territory, Abuja. Its diversity serves as our responsibility to build, create and structure Nigeria of our dreams. Therefore, constant devotion, dedication, and love to support Nigeria is the panacea that can chase the nightmares we are facing.
Patriotism is not just a reaction of emotion, but a lasting dedication and love for one's country that can effect unprecedented change for posterity. If there is genuine patriotism, our dreams, plans, prayers, imaginations and visions will come to manifestation.
According to former President of the United States of America, Barrack Obama, "We, the people, recognise that we have responsibilities as well as rights; that our destinies are bound together; that a freedom which only asks what's in it for me, a freedom without a commitment to others, a freedom without love or charity or duty or patriotism, is unworthy of our founding ideals, and those who died in their defence." The importance of patriotism can never be overemphasized concerning creating a glorious future and sustainable projects. The firm prosperity of a state begins with the patriots because those who are not patriotic can never feel the plight of the people.
The love for one’s country must engender enlightenment campaigns in the young generation to inculcate unfading love and dedication. Not just singing the national anthem, not pledging ostensibly to the country, not just undergoing youth service, but deep love and dedication to foster the growth of the country. Most of the developed countries are investing in the people because of the deep concerns to promote the citizens effectively.
No nation can reach the desires of the future without active consciousness of the society, no country can grow effectively without considering the fraught of the people, no man can govern satisfactorily without activating patriotic consciousness, and no Nigeria can develop without accentuating the positive notions of genuine patriots.
In conclusion, as people, the outcry against bad governance can be alleviated if leaders are dedicated, devoted and duty-bound to their country. Patriots have a deep desire to develop, transform and represent without egocentric interest, and no man can destroy or fight against the government if devotion to promote the welfare of the people is activated. The clamour, protest, and blurring of dreams and nightmares would be reduced if we proffer positive solutions to issues militating against the people in Nigeria.
