INTEGRITY AND PATRIOTISM: KEY VITAL FACTORS TO BUILDING A VIRILE NATION: Being the Keynote topic delivered by Hon Justice Oludotun Adebola Adefope-Okojie JCA Rtd, at the ANNUAL INTEGRITY LECTURE AND AWARDS CONFERENCE, organized by Nigerian Association of Christian Journalists (NACJ), at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja Lagos, on Saturday October 26, 2024.
Good evening ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests. I thank the Nigerian Association of Christian Journalists for selecting me as the Keynote Speaker at this event. I acknowledge, with thanks, my family here present.
The subject is, Integrity and Patriotism: Key Vital Factors to Building a Virile Nation.
The two key elements that are indispensable to the building of a strong, prosperous, and virile nation are integrity and patriotism. These twin virtues are not only central to the moral and ethical foundation of any society, but they also form the bedrock upon which nations can thrive and reach their full potential. As we gather here, it is essential that we understand the roles that integrity and patriotism play in our collective mission to create a nation that is strong, united, and sustainable for generations to come.
Integrity
Integrity can be defined as the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. It is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. Integrity goes beyond personal character; it is the cornerstone of trust between individuals, communities, and institutions. Without integrity, a nation loses the very fabric that holds it together—trust. A society where integrity prevails is one where the rule of law is upheld, public officials are accountable, and citizens have faith in the fairness of the system.
Integrity is the antidote to corruption, which is one of the greatest impediments to development. Corruption erodes the trust between the governed and those in authority, undermines democracy, and hampers sustainable economic growth. When leaders lack integrity, they compromise the welfare of their people for personal gain, leaving nations vulnerable to poverty, instability, and chaos. Therefore, fostering integrity in governance and public life is crucial for building a strong nation.
Furthermore, integrity ensures that public resources are managed with accountability and transparency. It encourages the development of strong institutions that prioritize the well-being of citizens over individual interests. When leaders are guided by integrity, they make decisions that benefit the people, which in turn enhances the confidence of the people in their government. This trust fuels national unity, promotes civic responsibility, and lays the groundwork for long-term prosperity.
Integrity must therefore be ingrained in every sector of society, from businesses to educational institutions, and even within families. In our homes, integrity builds a foundation of trust, respect, and moral responsibility, which in turn shapes the citizens of tomorrow.
Patriotism: The Heartbeat of National Unity
Patriotism, on the other hand, is a profound love and loyalty toward one’s country. It is the belief in the common good and the willingness to put the nation’s interest above personal interests and ambitions. Patriotism calls for active participation in the nation-building process, whether through service, sacrifice, or advocacy for the greater good. It is the emotional and moral force that binds citizens together in pursuit of a collective vision for the future.
When citizens are disconnected from their sense of belonging and duty to their nation, societal cohesion and stability are at risk. A virile nation requires citizens who are not only proud of their heritage but are also willing to contribute their time, skills, and resources to the advancement of their country.
Patriotism is about more than flying the national flag or singing the national anthem. It is the recognition that our individual well-being is intrinsically linked to the well-being of the nation as a whole.
When combined, integrity and patriotism become a powerful force for building a virile nation. A nation where leaders and citizens alike practice integrity is a nation where honesty, accountability, and fairness prevail. When citizens are patriotic, they become active participants in the nation-building process, working to uphold the values that make the country strong and united.
Such a nation is where national policies and programs are designed to promote these values and anti-corruption laws are strictly enforced to ensure that integrity is maintained in public and private sectors.
A nation without integrity is one where trust is eroded, and a nation without patriotism is one where unity is fractured. But when integrity and patriotism are embraced by leaders and citizens alike, they become the pillars upon which a virile nation stands. Together, these values foster national unity, enhance trust in institutions, promote economic development, and secure a brighter future for all.
Having set out the meaning of these important terms, Integrity and Patriotism, the question is whether these are prevalent in our nation. Sadly I must answer in the negative. One of the greatest challenges we face as a nation is the absence of integrity and patriotism, especially in a globalized world where personal and sectional interests often overshadow national goals.
This is not to say that there is complete absence of integrity or patriotism but when the level of corruption outweighs the integrity, you cannot say this is a nation known for its integrity and patriotism.
By Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perception Index, Nigeria ranks 145 out of 180 countries, scoring 25%, just above countries like Somalia, Venezuela, Southern Sudan, North Korea, Haiti, Libya, Equatorial Guinea, Yemen, Nicaragua, ranking along with countries like Syria. What are we doing there?
Ghana scores 43% to our 25%, meaning it ranks 70 out of 180. Republic of Benin ranks 70 out of 180 countries, i.e 43%. Togo has a score of 126 out of 180, scoring 31%. Cameroun scored 27 % being 140 out of 180, South Africa scored 41%. The question is what Nigeria is doing at the bottom and ranking lower than these nations that we think we are better than. We moved only one point since last year.
Countries with a strong rule of law and well-functioning democratic institutions often sit at the top of the index, such as Denmark, Finland, New Zealand, Singapore and Sweden being perceived as the least corrupt nations in the world.
I travelled to St Vincent and the Grenadines about three years ago, Nigeria was one out of 13 nations that needed a visa. None of the African nations above, with the exception of Cameroon needed a visa. We were classed along with nations like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Haiti, Bangladesh, Syria, Iran. My consolation is that China also needed a visa!
David Cameron, the former Prime Minister of England, was overheard describing Nigeria and Afghanistan to the Queen of England at a garden party to mark her 90th birthday, during the regime of President Buhari, as fantastically corrupt countries! Is he lying?
The tragedy is that it runs throughout the strata of this nation. Most organisations are corrupt. Police, LASTMA (hide behind barriers to spring out at you), airport officials, immigration, Customs.
The Airports! How will those in authority know what is happening when they go through VIP channels, by passing the extortion that takes place at the airport, opening almost everybody’s luggage, for what? Should they not have cameras at the airport to monitor what is happening? These cameras only to be accessed by the head of FAAN or her very trusted aid.
Customs and immigration They prefer to drive people to neighbouring ports by inflicting customs duties and graft that are way higher than our neighbours, thereby enriching our neighbours. The Government wants the people to export their products. What about the bottlenecks before you can get your goods through? By the time perishables get to their destination, they are rejected.
Are there no critical thinkers in Government that will take these factors into consideration by creating a business friendly environment for both importers and exporters. Look at other ports, LA, Singapore. When a country is not growing, it feeds on its own.
Nigeria cannot make more money from its major source of revenue as it cannot meet the OPEC quota. Why, Bunkering. They know the people. Rather than go after them, you go after the small fry trying to eke out a living. You’ve taken away their source of livelihood. You don’t empower them. No patriotism there. Rather than enrich the country, it is their private pockets!
NNPC. Trillions have been spent on Turn Around Maintenance. They said refineries would be ready for March? August? September? Now nothing! Salaries are still being paid in all the refineries, promotions granted, for zero productivity! What has happened to the monies expended. No answers. NACJ, what is being made to unearth the truth?!
What about our ministries. Complete clog to progress except if they have an interest to gain. Davido, father’s story
Judiciary
People say the judiciary is corrupt. The tragedy is that there are so many honest and GOD fearing judges dispensing justice but it is the bad eggs that spoil the perception of honesty.
Solutions
Meritocracy
This is one of the three pillars of the success of Singapore. It has been said that the absence of this is the cause of failure of a number of the 3rd world countries. They prefer to give portfolios to relations, kinsmen, people from the same religion and friends, with no thought of their suitability for the position.
Give the best person the job, irrespective of where he/she comes from. Sir Richard Branson of Virgin Group, with a company called Stage Coach ran Virgin Trains in London, for 22 years as the longest running rail franchise.
Honesty
Honesty. This is another pillar of the success of Singapore. It used to be a very corrupt country. Lee Kwuan Yew knew he had to excoriate this from the system to get Singapore to the 1st world country he desired. He caught the people’s attention when he made it his focus to punish the big people, a lot of them his friends and associates and sending them to prison. Used them as an example. Everybody gets the same punishment, no matter who you are. The result is that the crime rate in Singapore is one of the lowest in the world, with pick pockets, petty theft and violent crimes being very rare. Unearth criminal practices, like what is happening at NNPC and our ports
Overhaul of our Criminal Justice System
No country is all good, it is the sanctions that deter people. Our criminal justice must be overhauled to administer sanctions against all, no matter who you are. It must be speedy and efficient.
Our Leaders must live by Example
Our leaders must not be allowed to live better than the people they govern. Tighten your belt the same way the citizens are. Lee Kwan Yew lived by example. Rode in commercial airlines. He said he can’t go looking for aid if he goes in private jets, like other leaders who will stay in the best hotels.
Get rid of Colonial Mentality
I believe it is our colonial mentality that makes us think the white man or anything that comes from abroad is better. What can we not do? What can we not fabricate or manufacture? During the civil war, were the Ibos not self sufficient? They built their own ammunition. Look at the motor parts they produce. Yes, a lot are fakes, Aba made etc. Can these people not be formally trained?
Nigerians are the brightest brains in the world. The world’s fastest computer was designed by Philip Emeagwali. Did he do this in this country, no!
It was a Texas based Nigerian, Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye, who achieved a rare medical feat when he successfully operated on an unborn baby in its mother’s womb and replaced the baby. After the operation the mother’s pregnancy continued and she delivered a healthy baby.
Prof Olawale Sulaiman, Canadian and American trained, with early training in this country, is one of the best neurosurgeons in the world. Who are the Doctors that head a number of the hospitals abroad, Nigerians! From the statistics reeled out by Mr. Akinwunmi Adesina, President African Development Bank, some of the leaders in the Fintech Industry, Flutter wave, Piggy vest, MTN Mobile Money (MOMO), Palm Pay rank among the top 250 Fintech companies globally. Nigeria also has five of the top 7 Unicorn Fintech companies in Africa. A Unicorn is when the capitalisation of a company reaches $1 Billion and above. When 5 out of 7 do that, it tells you the potential this country has to take over the world – Flutter Wave, O Pay, Interswitch, Andela, demonstrating the ingenuity and entrepreneurial capacity to lead, innovate and dominate the Fintech industry.
I was listening to Dr. Ndiame Diop, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, a Senegalese. He said Nigeria has the skill that is unique in Africa. It has a private sector that is the most vibrant and dynamic in Africa. All the ingredients are there, he said. Nigeria is extremely entrepreneurial. We need a public and private sector for growth and jobs.
Let us invest in ourselves, local is good.
We must create the environment where our people can thrive and excel. It should not be when they are abroad that they are discovered.
In its long term planning approach, Singapore focussed on three areas – education/technology, infrastructures and attracting foreign investment. It invited international companies to train its work force.
Encourage and invest in our local companies that provide employment. All these foreign loans can be avoided by opening up the space for local companies, who can then invite foreign counterparts, if necessary. Did we need to get Chinese loans for our railways. See the example of Richard Branson who ran Virgin Railway. Look at Bi Courtney, a local company which built MM2 under a BOT arrangement. Patronise and don’t frustrate entrepreneurs. Look at Davido’s father.
Empower our universities, our technical schools
PATRIOTISM
Everybody must have a sense of belonging. By the 1999 Constitution all persons are equal. There should be no discrimination between tribes and religion. This is one of the pillars of Singapore’s success. Singapore is made up of mainly three ethnic units, Chinese, Malay and Indian. In spite of strong ethnic tensions, they forced a cohesion. No religion takes paramountcy. There are strong laws against discrimination. Unity in church, denominations not in unity.
When it comes to housing, everybody is entitled to public housing according to your income. Lee Kuan Yew took a survey of the 3 tribes that make up Singapore. He then ordered housing to be given in that ratio. So no housing unit is all Chinese, Malay or Indian. It is mixed. Strong laws against discrimination.
. Your titles wont help you. Everybody has a duty. Don’t be an also ran. Case of Nnamdi Kanu. NACJ speak up. It was journalists that exposed the Watergate scandal. It was also journalists in the BBC that recently exposed former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries, now 80 years, of running a sex trafficking ring involving young boys. He paid recruiters up to $1,000 to provide young men. He’s been arrested and charged with running a prostitution and international sex trafficking business. The co is a retailer of quality apparel and fragrance.
We must not be classed as “also ran”. Everybody must make a difference. Not only the Femi Falanas, Amnesty International, Civil Rights groups. Gani died sorrowful on the reaction and backing of the people.
As we move forward, let us commit ourselves to these values, knowing that they are the key to unlocking the full potential of our great nation.
Thank you for listening.
OLUDOTUN ADEFOPE-OKOJIE JCA (Rtd)
