Volunteerism And Nation Building

Nations thrive on citizens participations in nation building Martin Luther King Junior once said; “you do not have to make your “subject” agree with your “verb” to serve ….. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love”.
Elizabeth Andrew Caps it when she said; “volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they have the heart”.
Indeed while government builds institutions for governance and socio-economic development, Non-Governmental Organisations and the private sector utilize the private sector enabling environment to contribute their quota to nation building.
Some non-governmental organizations essentially operate pro bono, non-profit oriented.
They however provide essential services for the well being of their citizens.
These selfless enterprises that are not targeted at profit making or commensurate pecuniary benefit is what is often described as volunteerism.
Also, an individual or groups of individuals stepping out to do public good without profit or monetary benefits, can be explained as volunteerism. NGOs like churches and religious bodies participate in developing the social sector in education and welfare, such as taking care of the elderly, motherless babies and the orphanages in general.
These types of none governmental organizations are referred to as voluntary organizations. They represent a good example of volunteerism.
Also, many NGOs contribute in developing the Healthcare sector. Some also encourage the development of entrepreneurship among the youth population.
One organization that is prominent in complimenting the role of governance in social development is the Rotary Club international. Today Nigeria has recorded Zero Polio Prevalence since 2016. Rotary is key stakeholder in this national achievement.
Citizenship participation in governance at different level comes through volunteerism.
It comes in different forms and character. They manifest in military enterprises, firefighting, flood control, emergency services, health care, youth development, charity or even citizen journalism.
Unfortunately, in Nigeria volunteerism sometimes comes in a pervasive manner.
We see, young men, able bodied persons filling pot holes on the road and bending over themselves, bowing their heads on the road and begging for money.
Ordinarily filling of gapping pot holes on the road by non-governmental operatives or individuals is an act of volunteerism, but turning it into a begging enterprise is pervasive and retrogressive.
Some observers say, some of the people involved are drug addicts or ex jail birds.
Whatever is their inclination, it is retrogressive and a shame to our national psyche.
Some of these pervasive young people who indulge in this shameful act should be arrested and tested for drugs and if found to be abusing drugs should be sent to rehabilitative homes.
The shame they portray are not for themselves and their families alone but a dent on a sane society at large.
A road user nearly hit one of them on the head on the D/line rail crossing a couple of weeks ago. They block the high way kneeling and bowing to road users to give them money just because they are breaking a few blocks or hard stones.
Reports indicate that in some highways where the roads are bad, they deliberately dig more holes and pretend to be filling the pot holes by dropping grains of sand on sighting any vehicle coming close by.
This is not volunteerism, it is depravity. Need we talk about traffic control? There are legitimate volunteers in this sector. FRSC has so many volunteers and they can easily be identified.
But sadly, even persons who are mentally challenged and other physically challenged persons control traffic in Nigerian cities. We see them in Port Harcourt controlling traffic with high risks.
It is a sad commentary and speaks volumes of the psyche of the average Nigerian citizen.
Indeed, it is only in a mad city with a population that is losing their sense of sanity that madmen will be controlling traffic and commuters will be driving with glee.
Persons with the encumbrances of physical challenge, such as amputees, cripples and others, control traffic in Port Harcourt and other cities in Nigeria.
It is a serious indictment on the government, especially the Ministry of Social Welfare. Such persons should not be begging for sympathy and empathy on our streets and high ways in the name of traffic control.
There should be deliberate rehabilitation programmes for these unfortunate citizens, who can’t take care of themselves. Our systems as a people should be inclusive.
Nigeria needs volunteerism in the service of the state; for the common good of all. Volunteerism can also come in form of self restraint. Let every resident of Port Harcourt restrain themselves from littering and volunteer to stop others from littering the streets with dirts.
There are volunteers in traffic control who wear branded dresses, they should be encouraged especially by the Port Harcourt City Council.

By: Bon Woke