Given that nothing is as strong as the heart of a volunteer, Nigeria desperately needs to re-orientate her citizens to get them passionate about the nation

Ayo Akinfe

(1) In his 1961 inaugural address, President John Kennedy said: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

(2) In the run-up to Indian independence, Mahatma Gandhi said: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

(3) Nigerians are always quick to point out leadership failures in the country but are they the masses any better than the elite they criticise? Nigeria has 109 senators, if you picked 109 Nigerians at random in Oshodi market, you would find that the thinking of the two groups are identical

(4) French philosopher Joseph de Maistre, said: “ Every nation gets the government it deserves.” If you want any evidence of this, just look at how Nigerians vote in elections. They vote for the candidates who offer the most stomach infrastructure even if they are the most hopeless. Our people know full well that these politicians will go and recoup their investment once they assume office but still elect them

(5) Look at the refuse on our streets. What stops local people forming a neighbourhood sanitation committee to purchase bins and ensure local people pick up refuse on their streets?

(6) We volunteer for things we consider important to us. Unfortunately, building the nation state is not one such priority. For instance, our people would spend however long it takes in a church or mosque to further their religious cause

(7) When I look at the number of Nigerians willing to buy aso ebi every weekend and to enjoy themselves at owambes, I actually admire their dedication to the cause. We just need to find a way to transfer this passion to national matters

(8) During World War Two, the Nazis faced unprecedented opposition from the partisans in the French, Italian, Yugoslav and Polish resistance. Their bravery is the stiff of legends. How many Nigerians are willing to show such resistance against Boko Haram, Fulani herdsmen and armed bandits?

(9) There are little things you can do to sabotage the terrorists like poison their wells, blow up their motorcycles, make roads impassable, knock down telecommunication masts, etc. No country had ever rid itself of terror by relying solely on the government

(10) Maybe we will see a turnaround in our fortunes the day Nigerians stop receiving money from “big men.” If their money does not offer them so much clout, it will cease to be so attractive. Imagine how much of an effect that will have on reducing corruption