ANAYO EZUGWU x-rays the call by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, for Nigerians to prioritise patriotism and sacrifice for the nation’s development, while delivering a lecture at the Yoruba Tennis Club

A s Nigerians continue to ask questions on nationhood and the need to build a society with equal opportunities, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has called on Nigerians to prioritise patriotism and sacrifice for the nation’s progress and development. He emphasised that true patriotism requires selflessness and the willingness to make sacrifices for the country.

Uzodinma, who made the call recently in Lagos, while speaking at a public lecture titled: “Where are the Nigerians? A Study on Patriotism and Citizenship” at the Yoruba Tennis Club, said reviving patriotism in the country is a task that falls on every Nigerian.

The governor, who was the guest speaker at the event graced by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ekiti State governor, Biodun Oyebanji; retired army chief and former senator, General Ike Nwachukwu; ex-governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim; Minister for Technology and Innovation, Chief Uche Nnaji; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; Bashorun J K. Randle, Chief Olakunle Agbebi, Senator Ben Obi, Otunba Johnson Fasawe;,Chief Greg Mbadiwe and Senator Osita Izunaso, among others, said revving patriotism requires “a fundamental shift in our mindset and behaviour.

From the halls of government to the streets, from the cities to the villages, we must all work together to foster a sense of national pride and commitment to our country’s progress.” Acknowledging the fact that the country is currently faced with significant challenges, the governor, however, affirmed that they were not insurmountable.

According to him, the flame of patriotism can be rekindled in Nigeria by promoting good governance, and unity, investing in education, addressing economic challenges and celebrating our national identity. This was just as he also stressed the importance of meritocracy in public and private life, as well as ensuring equal opportunities for all citizens regardless of their background or connections.

His words: “We must also consider how far our nation is driven by merit in her private and public life. How many young people get employed in private and public spaces on merit rather than on who they know or where they come from? How many people move up their career ladder based on merit rather than who they know, their creed, or tribe?

“How many young men and women have unfettered opportunities to pursue their dreams, careers, or occupations based on what they can offer rather than or who they know or where they come from? The questions are indeed endless. The truth is that this nation is not largely merit driven and that is our major bane.

“We need to create enough space for everyone to thrive and this should emphasize merit. From the foregoing, it must be obvious that we all must find and reclaim our fellow compatriots – including those in the diaspora. We must engage them all in the task of building the Nigerian nation as part of our responsibility as true patriots.

“Finally, I want to leave you with the words of Adlai Stevenson: ‘Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion, but the tranquillity and steady dedication of a lifetime.’ The task of our generation is to find or build this category of patriotic Nigerians. Those are the Nigerians the nation needs to survive.” Despite the challenges confronting the country, Uzodinma insisted that Nigerians love their country but the country has not reciprocated the gesture.

He used the words of famous English Poet, William Cowper who said ‘No man can be a patriot on an empty stomach,’ in explaining the waning patriotic zeal among Nigerians. At the event, Uzodinma released the results of a study he commissioned to gauge the level of patriotism among Nigerians.

On love for country, the study which sampled views of 1,670 Nigerians from across the country representing different demography, shows that 74 per cent love Nigeria either too much, very much or moderately. Only 26 per cent had little or no love for the country. On whether they believe Nigeria offers equal opportunities for its diverse peoples, 85 per cent said no.

Only 15 per cent said yes. The study shows that most Nigerians, 35 per cent of the sample population, preferred the country as the place they wished to live for the rest of their lives. Canada comes second with 25 per cent while the U.S. comes third

Reviving patriotism is a task for all of us. We must all work together to foster and rekindle the flames of patriotism in our country by promoting unity

with 23 per cent. On willingness to fight for Nigeria, 64 per cent said they won’t. But 35 per cent said they will fight for Nigeria. The study shows the majority of Nigerians representing 38 per cent have no confidence in security agencies. 32 per cent have slight confidence.

Only 24 per cent are confident or very confident of security agencies. Uzodinma expressed deep concern over the sense of love and national pride exhibited among Nigerians for the country. He stressed that unless patriotic zeal is strengthened and its threat properly addressed, Nigerians would continue to record low-level commitment to love for the country.

He pointed out that the provision of security, prosperity, inclusivity, justice and a level playing ground would renew patriotic zeal among Nigerians. He urged leaders at all levels to engage in the task of building a united nation and rebuilding trust to erase the culpable despair most Nigerians have for the country.

The governor observed further that patriotism fosters a sense of belonging, uniting citizens from diverse backgrounds to work together for the nation’s development. His words: “First and foremost, we must promote and embody our national values, citizenship, integrity, and national pride should not just be only words we recite, but principles we live by.

We must keep looking to our history for inspiration. Our founding fathers and leaders of Independent Nigeria had patriotism in their DNA. But the sweet lyrics of an anthem, the soothing words of a pledge, the bright colours of a flag and the wishes of our forefathers will not be enough. Accountability, integrity, and purposeful leadership must be at the forefront of our efforts.

“Although the security situation in our country has witnessed tremendous improvements in recent times, the damage done by waves and seasons of sheer brigandage across the country is simply bewildering. From the insurgency in the North-East to the banditry plaguing the North-West; from the communal clashes in the Middle Belt to the rise of separatist agitations in the South-East and South-West, these threats not only endanger our citizens but also erode the fabric of our nationhood.

“It is unrealistic to expect unconditional patriotism from a man or woman, boy or girl, whose loved ones were mowed down by bandits, whose means of livelihood is threatened by criminals acting with impunity, whose sense of security is compromised and whose feeling of belonging is shortchanged because of his or her ethnic or religious background.

“Patriotism is alien to such people, especially when it seems the country has given them neither justice nor reprieve. Can you preach patriotism to the men, women and children who have been living in IDP camps across the country? If citizens have no confidence in the capacity of the country to provide social justice or equity, is it fair to expect fervent loyalty or patriotism from them?”

Uzodinma said those in leadership positions and stakeholders must right the wrongs to elicit the spirit of patriotism among the populace. He said the mistrust and several heartbreaks the citizens have suffered were responsible for declining patriotism in the country. The governor maintained that the wave of ‘japa syndrome’ was informed by Nigerians’ quest to have a better life and live where the system works.

He said purposeful leadership and accountability must be entrenched by leaders across the country to build trust among Nigerians, adding that this would ensure Nigeria remains a country where patriotism can thrive. According to him, national unity and inclusivity are paramount in eliciting patriotism among Nigerians. “We must strengthen our national symbol and tradition. Reviving patriotism is a task for all of us.

We must all work together to foster and rekindle the flames of patriotism in our country by promoting unity,” he said. Earlier, Governor Sanwo-Olu, welcomed the guest speaker and his entourage to the state, expressing the hope that the Imo State helmsman would set the tone for a thought-provoking lecture.

He also lauded Uzodinma for putting in place laudable projects in his state to lift the people of Imo, saying this had informed his being chosen to deliver the lecture at the occasion.

Chairman of the Yoruba Tennis Club, Olakunle Agbebi, who also spoke, welcomed the Imo State helmsman, describing him as an advocate of good governance and patriotism. Agbebi, who noted that the country was “in the epoch where we need change,” expressed confidence that the governor, as the guest speaker, would no doubt do justice to the topic of the day, assuring that all participants would have one or two lessons to learn at the end of the lecture.