Lanre Issa Onilu: National Values and Nigeria’s Social Contract

Nationalism is the vehicle in which patriotism rides on, for citizens to be patriotic, the state must be there for them in all aspirations. To re-sign the social contract between the state and her citizens, there is now a renewed reawakening mantra anchored by Lanre Issa-Onilu; the value voyager and relentless preacher of national values.  He resumes as the henchman of the National Orientation Agency- Nigeria’s engine of social consciousness. And in the days to come, the cerebral journalist, cultivated patriot and unapologetic nationalist would be driving the vehicle for national reorientation.

Nations are born out of the womb of “ordinary” men and women of great character, value, and farsighted goals, driven by fear of God and love for humanity, abiding faith in principles and patriotism, passion, and integrity! Great countries are not made from the wishes and dreams of a people but from the compromises and sacrifices of a generation in history.  Great countries are made not with leaders whose individualism overwhelms their patriotism. Great nations are made when their economies are developed by entrepreneurs and when their research and findings are dedicated to the advancement of human interest and value. Great countries are products of intellectual and political ideologies, devoid of primordial sentiments but engaging in creating a philosophy of national dogma and character. Until the day we know that we are the government, the country can never work for us. We have seen great nations rise, but not before the sacrifices of a people. We have seen generations change history but not before a few changed their stories! We have seen great leaders arise but not before great ideologies emerge!

To reclaim our nation, and produce a compacted society of people of great character and noble spirit, energy, and passion, capable of inherent ability to be self -emanating, transformational, and flourishing, it is time for the government to revisit the fundamental basis why it exists. You don’t expect nationalism where you are not there for the citizens, to ensure absolute loyalty from the people, what is ideal in governance must be provided. This is the motivation that can trigger patriotism in the citizenry. This is the prelude to developing innate national character and producing solid, meaningful, and patriotic citizens. Citizens who are constituted by our very sacred national ideals, values, and principles. Ideals and principles are singly motivated by the higher aspiration of our collective emancipation and attainment.

Establishing a nation that embodies its distinctive spiritual essence, a shared sense of purpose, and collective autonomy—evolving naturally from within while achieving exceptional objectives—requires a foundation rooted in a comprehensive understanding of our human identity. Central to this is the cultivation and utilization of our remarkable human qualities, transformative abilities, and goodwill. This approach forms the blueprint for nations to prosper and succeed through their inherent organic vitality and strength, for a tree devoid of life bears no fruit.

Amid our national challenges, there exists no more than the present to undertake the crucial decision to construct a unified nation, steered by the vision and ambition of our collective progress and fulfillment. This path is shaped by a commitment to a higher civilization and the enduring principles of existence, in contrast to the counterproductive slide towards survival instincts and safety nets based on individual and group concerns.

In today’s world, the concept of nationhood, defined solely by geographical boundaries, a specified population, functioning governance, and international recognition, is no longer sustainable on its own. A nation that lacks the foundational principles of innate life laws, a reciprocal social contract, and a collective determination is inadequate for the challenges of the contemporary era. In other words, a nation whose citizens do not deeply embody the fundamental principles of life and liberty, resulting in a population characterized by innate self-determination, cannot withstand the complexities of the 21st century.

What we currently have as a nation is not a true nation-state or a complete notion of nationhood. Nigeria, for example, is a nation still in the process of being born, awaiting activation, to unleash its full spiritual significance, unlock its transformative potential, and fulfill its providential leadership destiny.

This is the urgency for a new definition of leadership to be anchored by Lanre Issa Onilu and his team at the National Orientation Agency. The call for a redefined leadership, spearheaded by the Director General of the NOA  Lanre Issa Onilu at the National Orientation Agency, indicates a shift towards promoting and enhancing the values that shape the country. Establishing a national value charter and forming a Technical Working Committee involving diverse sectors and demographics suggests a proactive approach toward realizing the agency’s objectives in fostering national values and social consciousness.