The Place of Patriotism in Peace Building — Our Security, Our Peace by Dr. O.E Bassey

A great American politician, John F. Kennedy, once said that we should not ask what our country can do for us without having fulfilled our role of what we can do for our country. A lot of us get so selfish that we forget we have roles expected of us to play to move the country forward. Lazily and easily, we take to the comfort of complaining, whining and even denigrating the country because the leaders have failed to fulfill their own part of the bargain, so the buck stops at them and them only.

We repeat the same cycle for years on end, and keep passing the blame to others in a contract that is apparently two-way. We speak no good of our country yet we do nothing to see good. We expect others to take up the gauntlet, while we take the easy lane of calling them out, shirking the self-responsibility of standing up for our country — not even for once.

I bring you no comfortable news if you find yourself in this bracket of people who have no record of ever having done a thing for their country. Of a truth, it is way better a country has 100 patriotic citizens than have a 100 million citizens who see no reason to be responsible for their country.

Patriotism is sacrifice. Patriotism is pain. Patriotism is love. Patriotism is responsibility. Patriotism is optimism. Patriotism is loyalty. Where do you find yourself in this bracket? Have you ever sacrificed your time and money for the better of the country. Have you ever endured pains to see the country get better? Have you ever performed your civic responsibility willfully and joyfully like a husband will to his wife? Have there ever been a ‘good word’ coming out of your mouth about your country? Will you rather leave and deny your country at the slightest chance because you are tired and don’t see anything good to come out of it? If you at least don’t have 5 ‘yes’ answers out of these six questions, then you need to understand that you are one of the reasons Nigeria is what it is today.

As we usher in the new year which also heralds in a fresh democratic dispensation in the polity of the country, it is vital we rid ourselves of unpatriotic acts the yesteryears and yesterdays had us wrapped in.

The truth is Nigeria does not owe anyone or her citizens anything. Rather we owe Nigeria a whole lot that boils down to our patriotism towards her. Nigeria gave us a country to call home. Nigeria gave us lands to call ours. Nigeria gave us resources for prosperity. Nigeria gave us family, friends and loved ones. Nigeria has given us. What have we given Nigeria?

That’s the question we all need to ask ourselves if we intend to see change in peace building for development in all sectors in 2023 and beyond. It’s a long overdue conversation, and I hope the cleansing starts from now. Because we are bound to achieve nothing as a collective if we continue to see ourselves as citizens rather than patriots.

Have a prosperous new year!

Jeremiah 29:7

But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

Dr. Ofonime Emmanuel Bassey is a Security, Peace and Conflict Resolution Coach with decades of experience in the practice and promotion of Law Enforcement, Peace and Security through the Nigeria Police and the United Nations.

He is an advocate of Peace Leadership and Child Protection.

He has served and interacted at the top level management of the Nigeria Police as well as internationally as a United Nation’s Monitor/Mentor in Kosovo, Europe.

A professor of Peace Advocacy and Conflict Resolution, Dr. O.E Bassey is a certified United Nation’s Trainer, and currently the Director of ICOF Institute of Leadership, Peace and Conflict Resolution in Africa.

With his marks well-established in Peace Leadership both in Nigeria and Africa. Currently, he is the President, NISSI Safety Management Institute: An Institute of Peace Leadership.

Presently, he is spearheading a campaign tagged “The Next Peace Leaders”, a campaign that is billed to run from 2022-2023 with a target of training 37,000 young peace leaders.

For peace and security tips, consultations and trainings, reach him via:

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Mail: EmmanuelBassey@gmail.com