In a country near completely enveloped in gloom, there came the most uplifting national news of the week, the marvellous triumph of Nigeria’s Oluwatobi Amusan at the World Athletics Championships held at Oregon, USA. It came from the blues! Oluwatobi Amusan competed in the Women’s 100 Meters Huddle race and in one night, broke the world record in the semi-final race and went ahead to break her own record again in the final race to become the first ever Nigerian Athletic World Champion! The feeling, for most Nigerian that watched the race or heard about it later, was simply extraordinary. Not since Chioma Ajuwan-Okpara becoming the first Nigerian ever to win Gold Medal at the Olympics in Atlanta, 1996, has there been such ecstasy.
As she cried gently on the podium when the Nigerian national anthem was being rendered, many things come to patriotic minds, and many have been expressed in online and conventional media. The amazing feat provoked thoughts and lessons everywhere. Nonetheless, the take that on the night that Amusan was preparing for world conquering feat in Nigeria’s colours (Saturday/Sunday), some others were busy brutally flogging their fellow Nigerian innocent captives in the bush, threatening to similarly kidnap a sitting governor and the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Days after the Amusan feat, they started making good their ignoble threat by ambushing and viciously attacking the elite Guards Brigade of the President, killing at least 2 of its officers, at the Federal Capital Territory!
The contrast of disposition is informing, and the basis for recommending the Oluwatobi prescription for citizens of a patently sick country! In a country facing unprecedented economic, social, political and security challenges that threaten its very survival, the role of outstanding individual can be decisive. There are choices to be made, and must now be made, by the majority of good Nigerian people, who simply want a peaceful and prosperous country to live.
Firstly, the Amusan prescription dictates that the choices must not be for the dark side; it must be for the glory of Nigeria as it is for personal excellence and gains. Secondly, the result of any such endeavour, anytime it is seen and applauded, is the culmination of tireless works, self-discipline, days and nights of sweat – putting in the good works – that are not always advertised or seen. Conclusively, there is no shortcut to victory and outstanding achievements. The only road, after pleading God’s Grace, is positive hard work: not tough talks, criticism, anger, and all sorts of negative dispositions and actions.
Not only democracy but the very survival of Nigeria is at stake today. Patriotism is required. Love of Nation is demanded. No one is concerned with Oluwatobi Amusan’s gender, faith, state, or tribe; she ran for Glory and won as a Nigerian. That is the recommended spirit. The things that patriots do when their nation is in danger are clear. This is not the platform to teach them; thankfully, these days they can simply be googled. What Do Patriots Do? The needful vary from place to place and challenges to challenges but there are the constants – courage, truthfulness, selflessness, self-sacrifice, discipline, altruism, organisation, struggle, tireless work and faith in the people, as faith in God.
The example of Oluwatobi Amusan calls us all to start putting in the silent works, passionately, cooperatively, organisationally, and self-sacrificially for the rescue of democracy and our nation as we are confronted by a fast approaching general election. If 100 million adults decide to put in the patriotic works, God will not disappoint them and deliver them to a destructive, dark-minded legion who are less than a million! As we celebrate the spectacular achievements by an individual, let us realise now that it is the outcome of tireless positive works; and for the survival of Nigeria and its eventual glory, let us – the majority – start putting in the works individually and collectively now.
