It would have been quick to really conclude that our country is devoid of national values but not so, that is not completely true. We may not have national core values, but we surely do have values that formed part of the foundation of the nation. Out of which we should have selected our core values. The unfortunate thing however is that even the values seem to have been jettisoned for others directly opposite them.
I’m sure someone would be wondering what the values I’m referring to are. Going through our national anthem and national pledge we find them. Well for benefit of doubt, let’s locate them together.
The National Pledge:
I pledge to Nigeria my country; to be faithful, loyal and honest; to defend her unity and uphold her honour and glory; so help me God.
The National Anthem:
Arise oh Compatriots; Nigeria’s call obey
To serve our father land; with love and strength and faith
The labours of our heroes past; shall never be in vain
To serve with heart and might; one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity
Oh God of creation; direct our noble course
Guide our leaders’ right; help our youth the truth to know
In love and honesty to grow and live in just and true
Great lofty heights attain; to build a nation where peace and justice shall reign
Now let’s sort the values: Faithfulness; Loyalty; Honesty; Unity; Honour; Spirituality; Patriotism; Service; Love; Strength; Hard work; Dedication; Might; Freedom; Peace; Nobility; Truth; Justice; Success.
I thought we should have selected values that are most important to us among these and make them our national core values. Those are things that should then occupy every citizen of our great country with a view to ensuring the realization of a national vision en route the realization of national purpose. The question now is what is our national vision? What purpose is our country pursuing? This is the critical question that would explain the reason we are not zealous about imbibing positive values in our country.
When we identify the purpose of the country, and then the Vision, we would then see how to appropriate the values identified above at personal and national levels.
Talks
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