A while back, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu gave a directive: the National Pledge should be recited at every official gathering. It was a call to reaffirm our commitment to Nigeria, a reminder of the duty we owe to our country. But has this directive been taken seriously?
Fast forward to January, at an event organized by the in Lagos by the State Government and even in the Presidential Villa, the National Anthem was sung, but the Pledge? Completely ignored. This was not an isolated incident; it has become a pattern. We gather, we sing the anthem, we sit. The very words that remind us of our loyalty, service, and patriotism are left unsaid.
So, is this deliberate? Is it intentional? If the National Pledge is a promise, does it mean we avoid it because we don’t want to be held accountable?
The National Pledge is not just a string of words; it is a solemn declaration.
“I pledge to Nigeria, my country, to be faithful, loyal, and honest…”
This is not just an oath for students in primary school assembly halls. It is a commitment, a vow to serve our country with integrity. It holds us to a standard. Could that be why many shy away from it?
Some claim religious reasons for refusing to recite it. But at the end of the pledge, we say: “So help me God.” If it were truly against religious beliefs, would it invoke the very name of God?
Or is this just an excuse; another way of escaping responsibility, of avoiding the uncomfortable truth that as a nation, we are failing to uphold the very principles we once swore to live by?
Patriotism is not just about waving a flag or singing an anthem; it is about action. If we truly took the National Pledge seriously, would corruption thrive? Would leaders embezzle funds meant for hospitals and schools? Would we treat our country with the recklessness we do today?
Reciting the pledge is not a magic solution, but it is a reminder; a moment to reflect on what we owe to Nigeria. If we said these words every day, would we feel more responsible? Would we, even in small ways, try to be more faithful, loyal, and honest?
If the President gave a directive, why is it not enforced? Why are government gatherings skipping this important tradition? If we do not reaffirm our promises, how can we expect to live by them?
Let’s bring back the Pledge. Not just in words, but in actions. Let it be a daily reminder; that we owe Nigeria more than complaints and criticisms. We owe it service, honesty, and loyalty.
And if we truly mean it when we say, “So help me God,” then maybe; just maybe; we will start living like a nation that deserves His help.
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