PATROTISM IN THE FACE OF TERORISM

PATROTISM IN THE FACE OF TERORISM

Cornelius Afebu Omonokha

Reading through some of the headlines in the Nigeria Newspapers, one gets the impression that democracy in Nigeria needs some patriotic evaluation to set our priority in the right direction. One would expect that a genuine patriotic Nigerian would think of what to contribute to the collective good of the nation by scouting for solutions to the present challenges of the country. Is it not funny that some Nigerians are developing election fever three years before 2015? Some other Nigerians see this fever as another strategy to distract the government. Some see this fever as a key indicator that some Nigerians are running in the wrong direction with misplaced priorities in the vision and mission of the nation? The opinion column of Guardian on Friday, 4 January 2013 by Chris Akari asked: “Can President Jonathan contest in 2015?” Olalekan Adetayo and Ihuoma Chidozie reported in Punch of January 6, 2013 that “President Goodluck Jonathan is to face contempt charges over the recent emergence of his re-election campaign posters on the streets of Abuja eventhough Jonathan’s aides have disowned the posters. This development raises some questions:

• Who exactly are the complainants that the posters have offended?
• Who exactly are they going to sue? Is it those who placed the posters or the president?

All these show that the sole interest of some Nigerians is what they can take from the nation and not what they can contribute to the growth of the nation. How do we explain the endemic syndrome of “either me or no one else” in the polity of a nation that is gasping for the breath of oneness. Is it not becoming clear that “religion” has been used as a cover to destabilize the nation? Since the beginning of the Jonathan administration, Nigeria has witnessed more than ever before violent distractions with unceasing terrorism in some parts of the country.  Yet in the face of this terrorist distraction, the government is still struggling to reach visible goals in the transformation agenda.

Other disturbing distractions have been the greed and refusal of some contractors to deliver their services. We have seen how the minister of works inspects projects at various locations especially the road constructions. Let me quickly use this opportunity to thank and congratulate him and the contractors working on Abuja – Lokoja roads for enabling a traffic flow in December 2012 for those who travelled to celebrate Christmas. I also thank the Federal Road Safety Corps and the traffic personnel for this good job. On Friday January 11, 2013, this effort was reviewed on AIT (KAAKAKI).

Many State Governors have transformed their states through road networks. Can we not for once talk positively about the efforts of the Federal and some state governments? We must not forget that it was not the present leadership of Nigeria that inflicted the wounds on our dear nation that we are now struggling to recover from even as some unpatriotic Nigerians are threatening the disintergration of the nation. Perhaps they think that they would do better if they are given the opportunity to rule the nation. This I doubt so much. There are so many roads in Nigeria that have been awarded but abandoned by some contractors long before the present administration, I plead that in the name of patriotism, such contractors should go back to site and promptly deliver their services for the common good and love of Nigeria. 

If Nigerians are truly patriotic, we can apprise some of the other efforts of government in restoring rail ways, trying to provide steady electricity and encourage government instead of thinking of 2015 that no one can be sure of witnessing. Perhaps we do not remember again that “a bird at hand is worth more than a million in the forest.” Why not let us celebrate the moment and leave the future for God. The future is God’s secret. It is too early in the face of the present challenges of Nigeria to be preoccupied with 2015 elections.

Patriotism is a commitment to oneself, home and nation; it is a devotion to the transformation of self, community and nation. It is a common saying that whoever is not proud of his home and nation is not worthy to live. The word patriotism in Latin is “patriota” (country man). In Greek, it is patriōtēs (countryman), from patris, “fatherland.  In Nigeria, the “father land” is referred to as “mother land” to express how dear Nigeria was to the nationalist who fought for independence. That Nigeria is called “mother land” expressed the love and care of a mother. Perhaps the pre-independence Nigerians were convinced that Nigeria was worth dying for. This was clearly captured in the Nigeria anthem of 1960 -1978

Nigeria, we hail thee,

Our own dear native land,

Though tribe and tongue may differ,

In brotherhood we stand,

Nigerians all are proud to serve

Our sovereign Motherland

Our flag shall be a symbol

That truth and justice reign,

In peace or battle honoured,

And this we count as gain,

To hand on to our children

A banner without stain

O God of all creation,

Grant this our one request,

Help us to build a nation

Where no man is oppressed,

And so with peace and plenty

Nigeria may be blessed.

In 1978, this anthem was replaced by:

Arise, O compatriots,

Nigeria’s call obey

To serve our Fatherland

With love and strength and faith

The labour of our heroes past

Shall never be in vain,

To serve with heart and might

One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.

O God of creation

Direct our noble cause

Guide our leaders’ right

Help our youth the truth to know

In love and honesty to grow

And living just and true

Great lofty heights attain

To build a nation where peace

And justice reign.

The lyrics of “Arise, O Compatriots” are a combination of words and phrases taken from five of the best entries in a national contest. Benedict Elis directed the Nigerian Police Band to put the words of the anthem into music as we have it today. In every major event, the national anthem is rendered to show our commitment to the nation. In our school days, every student was requested to be still when singing the anthem as a sign of reverence and devotion to the nation. The president address is often accompanied by the anthem as an outward sign of our inner faith in the president and the nation. This is confirmed and confessed in the Nigeria’s National Pledge that is recited immediately after the Anthem

I pledge to Nigeria my country,

To be faithful, loyal and honest,

To serve Nigeria with all my strength, to defend her unity,

And uphold her honour and glory,

So help me God.

I believe that if every Nigerian takes time to meditate on these anthems and digest the contents, we may have a rethink of the way we presently operate in Nigeria. 

Fr. Prof. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua is the Director of Mission and Dialogue of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja; and Consultor of the Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims (C.R.R.M), Vatican City (comonokhua@hotmail.com).