Recently, I came across a rather poorly-written book with a beautiful title: Patriotism has no Party. I tried to read it, but realised it was an academic thesis by a Nigerian student studying abroad.
The author simply decided to have it published without any effort at reducing or simplifying the stack of boring academic theories that must have definitely impressed his professors. He would have done well to have the script edited and bring it to the basic realities of politicking. Perhaps, for the intellectually-inclined who are more interested in research information than realities, this would make a great read.
But to those of us who seek to be informed about everyday life based on what happens on the street-sides and boardrooms, the book holds no appeal whatsoever.
My belief, however, has always been that every book is like the birth of a child: it comes to fulfil a purpose. Every book has its own audience. No book is a waste; not even this one.
Yes, it was the title of the book that attracted my attention. This is where the message is well captured. Even without reading the contents, as a student of political history, you are likely to get the message at a glance.
And that is: you do not need to be a member of a political party to be patriotic. A political party is a platform for seeking political power or political office; it is not a forum to display patriotism.
Not everyone (if any) who seeks political office is necessarily a patriot. In most cases, they do so based on their selfish interests. They see politics as the cheapest form of investment because of the huge profit that comes with it within the shortest possible time.
That is why most people are ready to pay whatever price the political market attracts, so as to get into a political office. This includes killing or sponsorship of violence.
There are so many educated people and otherwise decent-looking citizens occupying public offices today whose hands are soaked in the blood of the innocent. They are sponsors of killing squads. Some of them are so religious that you will never believe what their records in heaven look like. They go to church consistently and support church projects. Others almost sleep in mosques praying and worshipping Allah. But their hands are fully stained.
These are not patriots. These are desperados parading as patriots. When they get into political offices, their first assignment is to recover the money they spent sponsoring violence and deaths.
Patriotism is that purposeful or deliberate inclination towards loyalty or faithfulness to a cause; most importantly, your country. I see those soldiers putting their lives on the line to free this country of militants and Boko Haram killers as the real patriots.
You do not need a political platform to do that. You do not need to be in government to be patriotic. Patriotism is a decision. It is that readiness to oppose what would ordinarily profit you for the sake of the country you love.
Whatever positive thing you do in your little corner, no matter how unrecognised it may be, as long as it is for the good of humanity, that act will one day be revealed and rewarded.
Patriotism is that nationalistic urge in you to rise to the service of humanity. In specificity, the passionate persuasion does not need to come from anyone.
Nigeria’s political and non-political elite must not see politics as the only platform for expression of patriotism. It goes beyond that.
In whatever sphere of human endeavour you find yourself, don’t try to compartmentalise patriotism; display it because no act of patriotism is ever too small and is ever lost.
Whenever I think of the word patriotism, the most practical definition that comes to mind is the statement by former American president, John F. Kennedy, who said we should not worry about what our country can do for us but what we can do for our country.
This is the central message in patriotism. It is my sincere belief that every citizen of Nigeria has an opportunity, no matter how obscure or negligible, to contribute to nation-building.
For instance, you don’t need to be a politician to pay your taxes. You don’t need to be a politician to safeguard government investments in oil and power sectors.
You do not need to hold a political office to plant trees around your environment or be involved in environmental sanitation exercises or ensure orderliness in public places. You do not need to be in government to support the leadership of your country. You do not need to a government contractor to vote during elections. These are little patriotic acts that we take for granted.
Every patriot must be sensitive to leadership, be sensitive to the nation called Nigeria and be sensitive to its development.
Democracy must not be seen as a mere political language; it must be seen and practised as an avenue for expression of patriotism. It is for the engineering of individual and collective passion towards the growth of Nigeria.
As the curtain rises again for election of people to public offices, we must not be misguided by empty shouts of patriotism. Let us examine every man’s purpose beyond personal interest and blame game. Let’s vote for patriotism. Only patriots deserve our votes.
