ONLY IN NIGERIA…: PATRIOTISM IN TIMES OF DISRUPTION AND DISTRUST

This article is inspired by the current situation in Nigeria. I wish to ask what true patriotism is! What it means to love your country, serve it to the best of your ability, defend its honor and care deeply for everyone, the natural resources and infrastructure and to be really proud of your country. A patriot is a person who loves, supports his country and is prepared to serve her. The question here is, are the present crop of political office occupiers truly patriotic? Will they be ready to make sacrifices and lay their lives for Nigeria? Do they give as much as they receive? How connected are they to the people they represent? Mark Twains says, “a patriot is a person who can holler the loudest without knowing what he is hollering about.” There are different ways to demonstrate these emotions. Different countries, cultures and even people belonging to similar cultures, areas and religions use different ways to be patriotic. This article is a prayer and a challenge to all Nigerians that we have the power to turn our declining nation into a very successful Nigeria. Patriotism signify strength, courage and devotion. Therefore, our patriotism is actually striving that Nigeria shall be righteous as well as strong. We should not look for reasons to be patriotic, to make Nigeria great and to serve it, because patriotism is an unconditional love.

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