- By Augustine Ogechukwu
Nwulia
A patriot is never the man who wears the robe of his people
in disguise and treats them with disdain. He is a man believed to be a
custodian of civility with a deep ethical value; orchestrated by obligatory
socio-conscience for his country.
Most times, I often ponder; when did we as a nation loose
the flair for patriotism? ..that is if it ever existed. Or maybe it was just a
mere word when we first learnt about it, probably one of those fitting-dramatic
character that one is expected to play in the society. Something the late
literary icon Professor Chinua Achebe referred to as "...false imagery of
ourselves".
Now, where do I begin from? Certainly, from the top. After
all, leaders were supposed to lead by example. I think we lost patriotism, the
very moment our 'supposed elected leaders' alternated governance as profitable
jobs and employment; where employees (elected public officers) systematically
became the employers. The baleful enthronement of de facto leadership guided by
an esoteric ordinance.
Governance, with particular reference to administrative
positions in this country have been replicated as mere profitable jobs. A newly
devised avenue for desperate individuals; frustrated business and professional
moguls and dubious persons with questionable character to capitalise on.
This malady and unholy practise, has of today, increased
tremendously in every strata of the nation's public service. As it stands, the
number of credible public officers available in the country cannot be compared
to the number of mal-administrators looting the nation's treasury; as a way of
enriching themselves and their folks at the expense of the masses. Where lies
patriotism?
The endorsement of individuals/candidates into key positions
in government have always been emphasised as the people's right and sole-responsibility,
but the style and method of governance when they eventually emerge; is never
the people's business. In the same manner the people may never be abreast with
reliable information as it concerns the utilisation and disbursement of public
funds. It has become a regular occurrence to learn or read about public
embezzlement of funds by public officers on the news-media, who may never face
any harsh penalty for their continuous misappropriation. After all, we were
told that "government-money is nobody's money", it is highly
dependent on the ability of individuals in government to steal legally;
especially under the comfort of immunity.
Legislators are no longer accessible and accountable to the
people they claim to serve and 'supposedly represent'. In the same vein,
constituency allocations have also been pocketed as personal salaries by
legislators. In fact, nobody seems to know anything about constituency projects
any longer. Moreover, most of the legislators live in a well-developed
satellite towns; which is not in anyway close to their respective
constituencies. Upon recess, they proceed to foreign cities for vocation. A
report has it that a group of legislators believed to be members of a State
House of Assembly in Nigeria sometime ago, embarked on an over-sea trip to a
foreign country, on a purported claim of "Parliamentary training".
These are few out of the numerous excesses of our government
tricksters, the same set of representatives who may only visit their
constituency when another election beckons. Where lies patriotism?
I have also not forgotten about council chairmen and
councillors who have suddenly become rich overnight; commanding fleets of cars
in their respective abode and garage. The same set of leaders asking for an
autonomy for the Local arm of government.
There are reports of fraudulent practises within the Local
government council across the country; where council leaders are deliberately
substituting the names of council staffs with ghost workers; thereby enjoying
the dividends of an unchecked payroll system of invisible staff-strength. Where
lies patriotism?
Do we also fail to mention the fact that there are sharp
practises in hierarchy elevations and promotions in the government civil
service. How about the laxity and mal-administration perpetrated by agents of
public institutions across the country. Where lies patriotism?
Party-politics in Nigeria have sudden become an avenue and
medium of propagating group/sectional discord, where desperate individuals can
foster their entry into governance.
Democratic principles and ethos has since been buried in our
nation's political history. Call it P.D.P, A.P.C, A.P.G.A, L.P, D.P.P among
others; none has been able to formulate feasible policies that touches the
needs and yearning of the Nigerian people. Party manifestos have since been
substituted with personal and sectional interest, occasioned by the adoption of
'Propaganda-politics'.
Parties are no longer interested in verifying the
credibility of their candidates; all they desire is a 'reputable-cabal' who can
foster the gimmickry of governance particularly the quest for a take-over.
Where lies patriotism?
We have suddenly been traumatised by a new wave of
political, ethnic and religious violence. None; not even the government or its
main opposition have been able to combat, and unmask the unknown forces behind
the numerous insurgent attacks across the northern region of the country. Where
lies patriotism?
We were told by the late South African leader and legendary
Papa Nelson Mandela that "...Education remains the most powerful weapon
you can use in changing the world..." Unfortunately, our educational
system here in Nigeria seem to have lost it's value and efficiency. From the
preliminary stage to the tertiary level, the system of education have been
muddled up. Tutors and administrators of tertiary institutions in Nigeria seem
to have lost the flair for teaching, they are rather concerned about financial
inducements and politics, than educational reforms.
Apart from the usual routine examinations, there are no
proper mechanism or system of assessing and verifying the quality of education
the student receives. In the words of Cardinal Newman "...knowledge,
indeed, when exalted into a scientific form is also power, not only is it
excellent in itself but whatsoever such excellence may be, it is something
more, it has a result beyond itself..."
The media, is also not left out in the scheme of social
obligation. They have overtime been adorned as watchdogs of the society, the
mouthpiece of the oppressed and the protector of the people's rights.
The media have been saddled with the responsibility of
educating, enlightening and disseminating accurate information to the masses.
But unfortunately, media news and contents has since been commercialised in
this country. Where lies patriotism?
Let me conclude this piece with the words of Professor
Achebe "...True patriotism is possible only when the people who rule and
those under their power have a common and genuine goal of maintaining the dispensation
under which the nation lives. This will, in turn, only happen if the nation is
ruled justly, if the welfare of all the people rather than the advantage of the
few becomes the corner-stone of public policy..."
Thanks for your time.
- Comrade Augustine Ogechukwu Nwulia, Freelance Writer and
Social Commentator wrote from Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Published June 4,
2014. The Black Diary Press
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