[myhotbrain]

Without a doubt, Nigeria is not only a "ridiculed mother," she is also continually being flogged by all members of the society with the exceptions of, may be, a few number of "a few good men."
I was happy when I read the conclusion of your thesis, it is a nice ending, to a critically composed opinion on a strong issue such as Patriotism. Without reverting to the dictionary's definition of the word, Patriotism, as I will readily define Patriotism to mean in this present context: the ability to identify, investigate, and condemn all of the wrongs in the Nigerian Society, as well as the desire to proffer solutions and participate both financially and physically in order to realise the Nigeria of our Dream. A Nigeria where all of her citizens would have access to decent living standard and the opportunity to harness their individual potentials for the benefit of theirselves and the Society at-large.

I totally disagree with those who insist that their Patriotism depended upon Nigeria's capabilty in the provision of basic amenities, such as light, water and healthcare. Incidentally, if this provision of essential amenities was adequately provided for in Nigeria, most of the Diasporean Nigerian who demand pre-set conditions before thier Proclamation of Patriotism of their Motherland, would not have permanently ventured out of Nigeria. Patriotism, therefore, in this context, is the combination of blowing hot and cold; on one hand, you will expose the wrongs and on the other, you will do something positively about them.

Patriotism is tainted, in my opinion, when a Patriot insist that Nigeria should distingrate, rather than embrace the policy of active participation in the "Nigerian Project, of vision 2020: Nigeria's goal of becoming a member of the 20 biggest economies in the world by the year 2020."

Paul Adujie, you have earned my respect with this brilliant piece, wherein you have exposed the hipocrisy of the so called Patriot, who reminds me of the story in one of my elementary reading books, here goes: "...Ali is a wise man, he wants to get rich very quickly, but he does not want to work hard for it..." Therefore, Nigerians both at home and abroad in collaboration with foreign investors and technology must work together in order to realise this achievable goal of "vision 2020." Any desire and or conspiracy to divide Nigeria along ethnic lines is an act of destruction of the Nigerian people. As recently as few days ago, it was reported that real estate in the Federal Capital City of Nigeria, Abuja is mostly controlled by the people of South Eastern Nigeria, Igbo people to be precise. Can these Nigerians because of their ethnicity be deprived of their benefits, when it is a definite and uncontestable fact that Nigerian people of many inter and intra cultural backgrounds interact physically and otherwise on a daily basis and in most parts of Nigeria? I am yet to imagine the situation which would lead to the peaceful "balkanization" of the Nigerian Nation. The irony is though, that the rest of the economic blocks in the world are using the power of large numbers to improve their citizens' lot. Africa, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa countires, must continue to formulate policies which would lead to the full economic and eventual political integration of the various nations including their people irrespective of their native tongues. For these effort to take-hold, I join those who propose the policy of encouraging the learning of a set of African languages formally agreed upon by members of the Africa Union. This of course, will be in addition to both the native tongues and the English Language.

Thank you Paul, for calling "a Spade a Spade." Nigeria deserves the best participation of all of us in her physical and mental development and not just the churning of eternal damnation and a curse for her leaders. As rightly posited: "the leadership of any society is the reflection of that society." Those who continue to ridicule Nigeria without succour, should simply "look in the Mirror.": "What you see is what you get." To quote Ms. Jumoke Akin-Taylor, "I am Nigerian, the changes begin with me."


Peace and Love.

myhotbrain