What Can you do for Nigeria?

John F. Kennedy’s “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country’” is a statement that has got worldwide approval and universal usage. It is a statement used to reawaken patriotism in the citizenry. It is a call that the citizens have a duty towards their nation.

Many times Nigerians have stressed what the government is not doing, what they feel the government should do for them. They have a long list of what the government is failing to do. In fact some Nigerians are regretting being Nigerians because they feel the government has not done anything for them.

When you draw their attention to this J. F. Kennedy’s statement, they tell you let the government do something then they can do their own beat. It is a question of what comes first, the egg or the chick.

I am of the opinion that we, the citizens, need to do something first for our nation then we can have the audacity to ask what the country can do for us. Something in the arena of reaping what you sow. I know some people will come up with ‘monkey de work baboon de chop’ analogy.

Each and every one of us has a role to play to make this country a great nation. We can contribute in our own little way and make the necessary difference we can make. You don’t have to occupy an elective or appointive position to contribute your quota. As African China sang, whatever you do, do it well. You could be a teacher, a doctor, a driver, an engineer, a journalist, a sportsman, a trader, or be in any profession, you have a role to play.

In your field when you do your work well you are contributing to making this nation a better place. If every trader is honest, every worker is punctual to work, every policeman refuses bribe, every sportsman does not cheat in sport, every office holder (civil servant or politician) refuses to be corrupted, every contractor delivers quality work, every parent trains his/her children and wards well, then we can have a better Nigeria.

So I ask you my dear friends, what can you do for Nigeria?

#2015OnMyMind

#PoliticalGabriel