PATRIOTISM,WHAT CHANGED?

PATRIOTISM, WHAT CHANGED?
Patriotism is one of the major altruistic dispositions which showcases the utmost feeling of love , devotion and sense of attachment to a homeland .

According to Oxford dictionary, Patriotism is Love of country; devotion to the welfare of one's compatriots; the virtues and actions of a patriot; the passion which inspires one to serve one's country

This implies that patriotism is highly imperative in keeping the spirit of nationalism alive, it is also the stimulant that stimulates the consciousness of loyalty in any citizens. Nigeria as a country has witnessed many Patriots in the past who have upheld and protected the sanity of the country's interest.
In that wise, some of the  great men and women who stood tall and firm for this great nation are Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikwe, Queen Aminat  of Zaria and a host of others with great zeals and unquenchable dedications  for the affairs of this great country.
Having seen the great exploit these Patriots have done for the country,  it is expedient to ask ourselves some salient questions such as ; what really changed in the patriotism pedestal of the country? Where is the enthusiasm ? where is the love? Why does nothing exhilarates us in the happenings of the country anymore? What really changed? The government or the people?
 An axiom once posited that "what is the point of been patriotic where there is no good return from the Nation I am patriotic to"

Change is inevitable they say,  and over time,  there had been changes in Government performances of the Nations in Many centuries.Nigeria, which as in a way brought down the passion and zeal of the people for the country.
Over the years, there had been lack of medium of hearing, the government have been deaf to the citizens cries also, there had been a corrupted judiciary,  corruption has also become the order of the day in the country due to the overwhelming nepotism in the country.no one wants to say the truth, all for money.

More so, the media is not helping the matters either, they mingle politics with pleasures and interrupts the business and aims of mass media. All these could be traced to Bad Governance, political leaders now contest for power not because of the love for the country but for money and fame.

Having talked about the bad Governance, over the years, it is essential to talk about our failed duties as citizens of the Great Nation, Nigeria. How can I be patriotic, If all these forementioned are in the state of DILAPITATION?  Bad mindset of the citizens, everyone wants good things but are not ready to pay the price and the few beautiful ones are yet to be born.

What we do as citizens now, is to condemn and curse the leadership and the country generally.     " An American wakes in the morning with the saying " God bless America". But reverse is the case in Nigeria. An average man wakes in the morning to curse the government and dream to go to the big house to have a cut of the National cake.
For an effective leadership experiences, there had to be solemn agreement between the leaders and the members. Even when we know, Government will not give anything in return, we should be PATRIOTIC.

In conclusion,  Richard C. Harwood said" If you're truly devoted to something, you stick with it even when you don't like it. And you try to do what is good and right"
Remember, we do not stop when we are tired of the great task, we stop when we have achieved a better Nigeria we all dream of.....


ABOUT THE WRITER
NAME: Dare Grace Oluwafunmilola

STATE CODE: OS/19C/0869