For any Society to make meaningful progress and development, its citizens must have a sense of responsibility and commitment to make it work by contributing their quota through hardworking, diligence and patriotism.
I begin this treatise with the definition of the word, citizen. The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, International Student’s Edition, New 8th Edition defines citizen as a person who has the legal right to belong to a particular country, and or who lives in a particular place.
Either of the two, such citizens have some responsibilities to that country.
These responsibilities include obedience to law, paying taxes, voting and civic participation, defending the nation, respecting authority and symbols, protecting public property, community service and reporting crimes.
To many Nigerians, it is government that should do everything. Even, those who are conscious of these duties, flout them with impunity.
This persistent citizens’ non-challant attitude towards their responsibilities brings about the question; Nigerians, Why?
Why do you see Nigeria as Father Christmas?
Why are you not keeping abreast of the laws of the land?
Why do you violate all rules and regulations?
Why do you refuse to pay tax?
Why is patriotism absent in your dispositions to Nigeria?
Why do you vandalize government, and or public property?
Why do national symbols mean nothing to many?
Why do you support criminals, kidnappers, babdits and terrorists in wrecking havoc in the land?
Why do you celebrate fraudsters and looters?
You saw acts of criminality being perpetrated, and you kept quiet. Why are you not alerting relevant authorities?
To traders, why are you short-changing the consumers?
Why is profiteering becoming order of the day?
Why are we not putting our best to whichever legitimate occupation we find ourselves?
These are some of our behavioural patterns where the question of “why” may arise, but let us a change of heart and discharge those responsibilities from law abiding citizens. If this is done, leadership will have no option but to go extra miles in providing good governance.
Leaders also have a vital role to play by ensuring that they show exemplary leadership without corruption but with integrity and fairness to the people.
In all fields of endeavors, both at home and abroad, many Nigerians are known for excellence, and are progressively making their mark in all sectors contributing to political and socio-economic development of their respective locations.
Therefore, every Nigeria is duty bound to impact positively on Nigeria.
God bless Nigeria.
God bless Nigerians.
God bless Humanity.
Idris Akanmu, a Veteran Journalist, writes
