Ignorance reason some Nigerians don’t value their country

Ignorance is why some Nigerians don’t value their country and talk down on it.

The major difference between us and the USA is patriotism. They love their country and are ready to die for it. That’s why they don’t over-hype their problems and challenges.

While they are ahead of us in some areas like infrastructure, technology and quick dispensation of justice in their courts; there are other areas they are not better than us.

Gun violence: There were 409 mass shootings and 30 mass murders in the U.S. in 2019. According to Gun Violence Archive (GVA), which documents gun violence across the country, there were 38,730 deaths from firearms in 2019.

Suicide: Of the 38,730 deaths from firearms, 23,760 deaths were suicides. Why will people commit suicide in tens of thousands if they have it so good?

Opioid death: Deaths from drug overdose in the United States rose 4.6% in 2019 to 70,980, including 50,042 involving opioids, according to preliminary data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Most dangerous cities in the world: Five US cities are among the 50 most dangerous cities in the world, 2019. They are: St Louis, Baltimore, San Juan, Detroit, and New Orleans. No Nigerian city is on that list.

Homelessness: In 2019, there were about 567,715 homeless people living in the United States. Here in Nigeria, one will have a friend or relative to stay with or if worst comes to worst, go back to the village where there are many houses with empty rooms to stay and re-start.

Missing persons: According to statistica, in 2019 the number of missing persons in U.S. under the age of 21 are 235,367 females and 212,723 males. Missing persons above the age of 21 are 62,823 females and 98,285 males. That’s 609,208 recorded missing persons in 2019.

“There are many reasons why people go missing; some are kidnapped, some purposefully go missing – in order to escape abuse, for example – and some, usually children, are runaways. What persists in the imagination when thinking of missing persons, however, are kidnapping victims, usually due to extensive media coverage of child kidnappings by the media.

“While the number of missing persons in the United States fluctuates, in 2019, this number was at its lowest since 1990. Additionally, while it has been observed that there is more media coverage in the United States of white missing persons, almost half of the missing persons cases in 2019 were of minorities.” – statistica.

In conclusion, stop fantasizing about U.S. and other countries. They have their problems in the bucket-load. If you want to immigrate, there is nothing wrong about that, but don’t hate your country. You will still leave your friends and loved ones behind in Nigeria when you immigrate. Love your motherland, Nigeria and do your part to make it better, whether you are home or abroad.

*This was first published by Cryatal Facts entitled, “Value your country” written by Mfon Offiong, a management consultant, from Abuja. mfonindustrial@gmail.com