Why do some Nigerians not show the same overwhelming patriotism as average American, Briton or Israelite do about their countries? Big question but perhaps this is simply because, many Nigerians are disconnected from Nigeria’s visions, if any. Many citizens of other countries know where their countries are headed to economically and politically and they make conscious efforts to key into that movement.
But, get on the street in Nigeria and randomly ask about 10 Nigerians what Nigeria’s visions are; the answers will startle you. Therefore, the inability of average Nigerian to know the visions and goals of the country in the short or long term produces different behaviours most of which are anti-state.
For instance, an average American knows that the country wants to be a dominant player in socio-economic and political affairs of the world. An average Israelite is conscious of state protection. India is playing big role in medical tourism. Germany is known for durable products. China under its ‘One Belt, One Road’ is expanding its diplomatic efforts to protect its economy and its industries are keying into this move and UK is conscious of strong economy.
By watching a film or through personal interaction, an American citizen, no matter how poor he/she is content being an American than a citizen of any other country. In films, which mirror true lifestyle, actors would clutch their national flag while fighting or dying, indicating a strong belief in their country. This is in spite of corruption, killings and other vices in US and similar countries as found in Nigeria.
“Between 85 to 90percent of America’s poor are ‘patriotic.’ They would rather be citizens of their country, for instance, than of any other country on Earth, and they think America is a better place than most other places in the world”, writes Francesco Duina in zocalopublicsquare.org.
According to Duina, many view the United States as the “last hope”—for themselves and the world. Their strong sense is that the country offers its people a sense of dignity, closeness to God, and answers to most of humanity’s problems.
In some cases, even children prevail on their parents to do the right things, even things as “minute” as obeying traffic rules. That a child calls the police on the parent, without emotions, for breaking traffic rules is a testimonial of attachment to the right values in society. It is also a belief that a sane society is the handiwork of all citizens.
In those climes, there is silent but persistent tactic of indoctrination of children into believing in their state and equally becoming good citizens. “The fundamental goal of public schooling here in the United States is the same as it is in China: To indoctrinate children into becoming good citizens — that is, citizens who conform and submit to authority,” says Jacob G. Hornberger in his article ‘Public-School Indoctrination in China … and Here’ published in Future of Freedom Foundation site.
Also, America, UK or Israel would do almost everything to protect their citizens at home and in foreign lands. Israel in 2011 freed 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including hundreds serving life sentences for attacks on Israelis, in exchange for one Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit who was captured by Hamas in 2006. This means a lot for an average Israeli.
Contrastingly, an average Nigerian would rather “check out”, given the opportunity, than stay in the country. The ‘checking out’ Nigerian does not feel protected; secured neither does he know the direction of the country to key into such plans. Surprisingly, sometimes, news of massacre of people in Nigeria goes as if it is normal life.
What the Nigerian also encounters almost every day is the story of so-called leaders starching multi-billion naira into their private accounts, and most times without prosecution.
The average Nigerian also observes the allocation of multi-billion naira to politicians against meagre sums for developmental projects. For instance, in 2020 revised budget, N27.7bn was allocated for renovation of the National Assembly and about N115 billion was for Nigeria’s legislators. Whereas, health sector that supposed to cater for Nigeria’s 200 million population received only N25.5bn. This is not different for education allocation. What therefore, is Nigeria’s vision; what do we want to be known for?
This lack of attention to the state gives rise to disobedience to traffic by motorists in front of law enforcement officers, bribery among officers, stealing of electric cables meant to transmit public light, malicious and cruel killing in the name of religion, kidnapping for money, stealing of babies and selling same to other parents for ransom. What is observed almost daily in Nigeria is total conflict against the state.
A country like America does not only indoctrinate its children early enough in believing in the country with its motto ‘In God we trust’, but a country of freedom. The total protection, provision, caring, education and liberty the country gives its citizens, generates in the citizens allegiance to the state. That is why a child with confidence in the state, will invite police for his/her parents for what the child considers offensive against state or his liberty.
But in a country like Nigeria, a child first believes in his family. With family’s poor indoctrination, the child sees the state as enemy, which does not care for him. This is why state properties are stolen and vandalised with many families welcoming such attitude as normal. Families now literally encourage their children to steal from the state. The stealing continues till adulthood as rules such as driving against traffic or driving past red light are broken with reckless abandon.
Today, some people are billionaires just for being politicians without owning industries and no questions are asked about the sources of such instant wealth. This confuses a growing child. Without questions asked when child grows up he/she behaves in similar manner. Circle effect. At the end, everybody wants to milk the state since there is no commonality among the people to protect the state.
In this scenario, the police, judiciary and other institutions that are supposed to ensure orderliness have since joined in the malfeasance. The common man watches the big man enjoy plea bargain over corruption issues while the poor man is jailed. That breeds lack of confidence in the state, and what you have at the end is no nation but a group of people living in bordered area. Today, there is just too much indiscipline in the land and this has not enhanced national development. No nation can build state brand this way.
Nigerian citizens watch with amazement how Nigeria’s peers such as Malaysia, Singapore and others are making steady progress; leaving Nigeria behind. This is not pleasing to such citizens. While everybody shares in this blame, a former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Alani Akinrinade, squarely blamed leadership for the problems of Nigeria. Today, there is no sector- from education to health, and to manufacturing- that is operating optimally. What is Nigeria’s vision?
In a report, Akinrinade said that if the leadership of the country had been spot on, by now Nigeria would have been “where the Asian Tigers are”. Akinrinade, in a recent interview in Channels Television, said that “especially since 1970”, the leadership of the country has been nothing to write home about.
Many stakeholders have called for restructuring of the country for effective governance. They believe that perhaps, the states or regional autonomy will guarantee faster development.
Others call for state police to achieve discipline in society which will translate to progressive development.
While the debate for these suggestions is on-going, Nigeria’s leadership must make conscious efforts to integrate citizens in the visions of the country.
The citizens need to understand, through structured communication and body languages of the leaders where Nigeria wants to be in the next 10 to 20 years no matter the political party in power. It is then that the citizens would begin to understand their country and key into such plans.
Obviously, it is lack of that collective vision that is promoting sectional and militants’ interest. Nigeria needs to show its citizens, no matter where they reside, that they matter. That would promote a sense of belonging in the nationhood.
