IS THIS THE TEST OF PATRIOTISM?

LET’S CRITICIZE THE GOVERNMENT

“Any Fool can Criticize, Condemn and Complain

 And most fools do” ~ Dale Carnegie

(From his book “How to win Friends and Influence People)

I won’t stop asking how we get to where we are today. As a People, as a Nation, we seem to be drifting into the abyss at an alarming speed. Is there hope or is this the terminal Generation?

Whatever you say or do is interpreted along Religious, Ethnic, Regional or Political Lines. Nothing and no one is spared, it’s either you are an APC or PDP member or apologist, you are of the opinion because you are either Muslim or Christian, your confidence stems from the Fact that you are from the North. I did not get the Job because am from the East. The list is endless. When you commend a laudable move of the Government, you are seeking Government Patronage. We are a generation of Critics.

Criticisms should be made with good intentions, aimed of course at righting the wrongs in the polity and seeking the common good. Such should be well-thought out, robust and rich, backed with facts and figures and of course with suggestions of how to tackle the issue. With that, the person being criticized would have no option but to make amends. But when it’s done out of malice or with intention to pull the one in power down at all cost or what we witness now when sponsored agents decry every move made by the Government, no matter how noble, just to score cheap political points. Not surprising too is the fact that those who has unrestricted access to Mr. President 24\7 will rather address a Press conference than talk to The President. There is a wise saying “never judge someone by the opinion of another” This is an advice many in Nigeria need to imbibe, the popular cartoon character Shrek cried “they judge me even before they know me”

Many of the arm chair critics know next to nothing about governance or how government works but they won’t hesitate to call elected officers names. Today patriotism is measured by insulting the Government, the more insults you rain on the Government, the more Patriotic you are. We view Insubordination as courage and disregard for constituted authorities as boldness. We have failed to observe that many of those who criticize the Government had been in Government in the past and have nothing to point to as accomplishment while in Government, yet they hold the solution to all the ills bedeviling the Nation today. Many of you have joined the bandwagon of Pull-him-down at all cost because of the noise been made by those who have been raised erroneously by the dogma of “Born to Rule”.

 You don’t have to be the President or be in Government to contribute your quota to Nation Building. The harsh economic environment notwithstanding many have carved a niche for themselves often creating or finding opportunities. The likes of Ali Baba, I Go Die, I Go Save, Bovi, Buche, Basket Mount, Julius the Genius Agwu, Wiz kid, Davido, Kcee, Akin Alabi, Ramson Noah, Desmond Elliot,  Sadiya Halima Umar, Rilwan Hassan, Linda Ikeji, Igho Sanomi, Aisha Suleiman Achimugu, Don Jazzy, 2Face Idibia, Aisha Augie, Audu Maikori, Oluwaseun Osewa,  Ola Orekunrin, Oluwaseun Osewa, Eeefy Ify Ike  too numerous to mention. You are above 30 still squatting with your parents and you call Mr. President Clueless, Inept, weak and dumb leader, who is Clueless between you and Mr. President? The late Pop Star Michael Jackson wrote a song and part of the lyrics says; “If you want the world to be a better place, take a look at yourself and make that change”

If you have ever ridden in an airplane, then you might have noticed the oxygen compartment located above every seat. There are explicit instructions that say, “In case of an emergency, first secure your own oxygen mask and then if you have children with you secure their masks.” Take care of yourself first... then assist your children. If we use that same philosophy in our approach to all issues in life, it would be so valuable.

Self-development enables you to serve, to be more valuable to those around you; for your family, for your Community, for your Council Area, for your State, for your Nation and your Generation. If you want Nigeria to be a Better Place, take a look at yourself and make that change.