Patriotism: A lost Commodity

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Students displaying patriotic attitude

Patriotism is an important concept in Civic Education. It can simply be defined as love for one's country. Patriotism is one of the qualities of a good citizen. This quality makes one to defend his country anywhere and any time. It propels the spirit of nationalism, and makes one to fight for self determination or self rule. Patriotism can make a man lay down his life for his nation.

Being an important concept, patriotism is taught at every level of education, primary, junior secondary, senior secondary and higher institution. It is an integral part of Civic Education scheme at lower level and Citizenship Education at higher level. Citizenship education is used by every nation to shape the orientation, feelings and emotions of the citizenry toward the state and the government.

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IPOB Group Prostesting for Self Determination

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Militant Group Fighting for Resource Control

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Boko Haram Fighting Western Education and Asking for Islamic State.

NEED FOR PATRIOTISM

A country that lacks patriotic citizens is at the brink of collapsing. Secessionism and insurgency are inevitable in such a country as citizens will always engage in action that will submerge the country. Thus, every country needs Patriots as her citizens, people who can die for their country.
In the light of the above, the following among others are the need for patriotism:

• Peaceful co-existence amongst the citizens

• Maximum support for the government and the state by the citizens.

• Reporting criminals and the enemies of the state who are living among them to the security agencies.

• Willingness to stay in their country and contribute to its development rather than travelling to developed countries where all the basic necessities are available.

• The public servants will dispassionately discharge their duties and avoid corrupt practices.

WAYS OF INSTILLING PATRIOTISM IN THE CITIZENRY

There are various methods the state adopts in inculcating spirit of patriotism in her citizens, and they are among others as follow:

• Through school curriculum: the government through her ministry of education prepares curriculum that can solve her socio-economic and political challenges. Thus, right behaviours and citizenship requirements are infused in Social Studies, Civic Education, and Government subjects.

• Through mass media: the government through her ministry of information and other orientation agencies engage the public on mass media with the aim of influencing them to align with the will of the state.

• Through Civil Societies: these are non-governmental organisation established to promote the interest of the people by influencing government policies. Being the bed-rock of every functioning democracy, they sensitize their members and public on their rights and duties thereby promoting love for one's country.

• Through government programme: for example, the introduction of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC in 1973 was aimed at promoting reconciliation and love for the country after the end of 30 months civil war.

• Through campaigns and rallies: Political parties perform political socialization function. They promote active political involvement which is an indication of patriotism

FACTORS THAT PROMOTE PATRIOTISM

People do not loath their country at birth. In other words, citizens don't dislike their country for no just cause. There are many attimes genuine reasons why citizens withdraw their love, support from their country. Better still, there are reasons why

• best brains leave their countries for another.
• groups pick arms against the state and the government.
• groups seek to have their own countries.
• people sometimes being sentimental to arms group or rebels.

There are reasons and they are among others:

• Failure of government in administering justice, and provision of dividends of governance.

• Election rigging and installation of unpopular government makes people lose confidence in the state.

• Inequality and Injustice snowballing into marginalization of some regions or groups. This encourages quest for secession.

• Failure of government in providing employment opportunities or good working conditions can result to emigration of best brains.

• Over-zealousness of security agencies can give birth to revotion and insurgency. It discourages citizens from working with the security agencies like giving them necessary information.

• Disrespect to public opinion and the rights of the citizens can generally result to political apathy.

In conclusion, patriotism is an important concept to the survival of every state. It is a duty to one's country.

THE END