By Daniel Kor
The saying ‘the patient dog eats the fattest bone’ has long been used as a proverb to encourage perseverance and patience. However, when applied to the context of modern-day Nigeria, this saying appears to be misguided and even dangerous.
Corruption and bad governance have become rampant, and the promise of a reward for simply waiting it out seems like a false promise. In order to address the deep-rooted issues facing Nigeria, a more proactive and revolutionary approach is needed, rather than sitting back and hoping things will eventually improve.
The idea that patience is the key to success is deeply ingrained in many cultures, but it has been taken to an extreme in Nigeria. The corruption and inefficiency of the government, combined with the high levels of poverty and inequality, have led to a situation where many people have simply given up on trying to make positive change.
However, this is not the way forward. It’s time to challenge the status quo and demand better from those in power. Only through a concerted effort from all citizens can Nigeria begin to overcome its problems.
The concept of patience as a virtue has its roots in ancient philosophy, with thinkers like Aristotle and Confucius extolling the benefits of waiting for the right moment to act. However, in the context of Nigeria, this philosophy has been corrupted.
Patience has become a tool for those in power to maintain the status quo, while ordinary people suffer from the consequences. It’s time to reexamine the role of patience in a society that is crying out for change.
Can patience be truly virtuous if it means turning a blind eye to injustice and suffering?
The idea of ‘the patient dog’ implies that if one is simply patient enough, one will eventually be rewarded.
But is this really the case? In reality, many people in Nigeria have been patient for far too long, waiting for change that never comes. This has led to a sense of apathy and hopelessness, as people have given up on the idea of a better future.
This is not the kind of patience that is virtuous – it is a resignation to the status quo and a failure to demand the change that is so desperately needed. In order to break out of this cycle, Nigerians must find the courage to speak up and demand more from their leaders. It is only through this active engagement that real progress can be made.
