WOULD YOU DIE FOR YOUR COUNTRY?

     

    My tutorial teacher asked a question in class. She asked if any of us (students) would die for our countries. When nobody replied, she went ahead to say that in a class she had tutored earlier that day, a Nigerian had given a passionate speech.  A speech thick with emotion, on how he could die for his country (Nigeria).

    All Nigerians in class immediately burst out laughing, I too laughed. The rest of the students had their eyes on us like we were crazy, but we seemed not to care. My tutor was not exempted as she starred at us surprised.

    We as Nigerians in the class thought in our minds I’m sure the same thing. Can anyone really die for Nigeria? Of all countries! Some of my classmates (Nigerians) made statements like “am I mad?” “I never die for my mama finish”, my classmate beside me said she can’t even take a slap. But after a while in class I began to ponder, on what it actually meant to die for one’s country. How easy could it be? And what was it worth dying for one’s country. This actually led me to one thought. I think when people do say that they would die for their country they do mean SACRIFICE, giving to achieve something, anything, even if it meant losing their lives.

   Would I die for Nigeria? No! Why? Most times those who go about chanting on how they would die for their country are blinded by rage, anger, and fear (of the unknown). Some have died with no idea of what they died for. The popular chant ‘we no go gree o! we no go gree!’ has left scores dead in Nigeria. In pursuing a goal I don’t want to pull a trigger at myself or at someone else, hang myself with a rope or shoelace, or set myself ablaze. A student said if you die for your country, it doesn’t mean things are going to change. It just means your life is over and nothing more can be done. You would be more useful to your country alive and implementing rules than dead.

    Would I sacrifice for my country? Yes! But I don’t want to be blinded by prejudice, religion, fear, or ignorance. I want to be free from all these, and be open minded. A sacrifice would definitely cost me. These are the things I can do for my country, speak up, and fight (with my pen), advocate, go to jail if need be. If I die in the process I hope the little I would have done goes a long way. The price to pay to get Nigeria to the land we all dream it should be is a high one. But to die? No, I want to see the change take place and be the change. Of course everything is a risk, with our lives on the line. But I believe the aim is not to DIE for our country.