We need a Nigerian Patriotic Act to shake us out of our present lethargy 

By Ayo Akinfe 

(1) Today, I want us to spend 24 hours reflecting on the life of this gentleman here Commander Dudley Morton and use it as a basis to ask ourselves whether the key piece missing in the Nigerian jigsaw puzzle is actually the absence of unconditional patriotism. I sometimes wonder whether we would live in a far better society if our commitment to the nation was not predicated on getting something back in return 

(2) Regarded as the man who charted the course for modern US submarine warfare, Commander Morton died at the age of 36 in 1943, fighting the Japanese during World War Two. Before paying the supreme price for his nation, he had put his life on the line countless times against impossible odds with no support, just because he felt he had an obligation to do so. Commodore Morton was not expecting anything in return for his actions 

(3) As commander of the US submarine Wahoo, Commander Morton was one of the most-celebrated submariners of World War Two as he sank at least 19 Japanese ships, more than any other submarine of the time. In many instances, Destroyers and battleships charged straight for his sub but rather than flee to safety, he stood toe-to-toe in a David versus Goliath battle and fired his torpedoes. Such gallantry and spirit does not reside in people who do things wanting something in return or seek material reward for all their actions 

(4) As John F Kennedy put it: “This nation was not founded solely on the principle of citizens’ rights. Equally important, though too often not discussed, is the citizen’s responsibility. For our privileges can be no greater than our obligations.” Now, ask yourselves what would happen to Nigeria if we could get every citizen to be as patriotic as Commander Morton even if they knew they would get nothing in return 

(5) Many of you read Animal Farm in school and would remember how despite the terrible injustices Napoleon let loose on the animals, Boxer remained steadfast, working himself to death for the greater good. Were he like the modern day Nigerians who hide behind the canopy of corruption and bad leadership, he could easily have given up after seeing the antics of Napoleon and Squealer 

(6) I think one thing we desperately need at the moment is a Nigerian Patriotic Act which gives preference when it comes to jobs, promotion, contracts, appointments and opportunities to those prepared to sign a Nigerian Oath of Allegiance which places the nation above everything else in their lives. Ethnicity, religious faith, the pursuit of material comforts, personal security, etc must all be subordinated to the cause of the nation if we want to produce the likes of Commander Morton. We need super patriots like that if Nigeria is to get out of her current rot 

(7) I have always found the argument that we do not have an obligation to be patriotic because of poor leadership, a failure of the system, corruption in high places, bla, bla, bla, utterly dishonest and fraudulent. Most Nigerians are totally committed to their religious faiths no matter how much it fails them. Like the biblical character Job, they are prepared to endure anything for their religious faith even when it abandons them as it did him. I challenge anyone to tell me why they should give up on Nigeria over corruption when Job did not give up on his faith after his wife and children were slaughtered, his wealth lost and his health in jeopardy 

(8) Nigeria has not treated any of its citizens worse than Job was treated but alas, we are prepared to throw in the towel at the slightest excuse. If Commander Morton and his likes had adopted that attitude, maybe the US would have lost the Pacific war. When I look at how not one of our generals has been able to single-handedly defy the establishment and unilaterally chart a course of action to eliminate Boko Haram once and for all, I shake my head in despair. A nation’s success does not always come from established channels and the system. In many instance, it is the singular acts of super patriots like Commander Morton that make a difference 

(9) When I see Nigerians prepared to leave the UK or US to throw lavish parties in Dubai, I see where our problems lie as a nation. We would rather enrich a Middle East nation because it offers us creature comforts than support the Nigerian hospitality industry because of a few inconveniences. Why do we not throw such parties in Nigeria to boost the local economy? In what way is the unpatriotic Nigerian who leaves London to throw an expensive bash in Dubai rather than Abuja or Lagos any different from the governor who fails to invest in his state? Their mentality is essentially the same, it is only the scale that differs 

(10) To lance this boil, I would like to see is pass a Nigerian Patriotic Act that would lead to the creation of a class of patriots who stand above the fray. De-tribalised and not jaundiced by religious prejudices, this category of Wazobians may be the elite band of economic and national commandos we need to take Nigeria to the Promised Land. In every other sphere of life you have elite brigades, it looks like Nigeria needs a national cadre of such Commander Morton’s to get her out of her current rot. At the moment, my people only do things for material gain and that manner of thinking needs to change

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