Nigerian afrobeat artist and social crusader, Uptown the Maskking, has called on Nigerian youths to redefine patriotism in a way that prioritises national development, productivity, and the welfare of citizens.

Speaking on the need for a new vision of patriotism, Maskking stressed that young people must champion ideas that will transform the country into a hub of innovation and self-sufficiency.

“The patriotism that the youths need is one whose devotion will shape the future of the country such as promoting Nigeria-centred development based on productivity and capacity-building initiatives,” he said.

He challenged Nigerian youths to demand better governance and accountability rather than equating patriotism with symbolic acts like cleaning gutters. According to him, sanitation is the statutory duty of local governments, and youths should insist on functional municipalities as is obtainable in other countries.

Maskking further argued that Nigeria must learn from global examples like China, which built an inward-driven economy that prioritised food sufficiency, energy, and technology as pillars of national security.

“Our devotion and love should be for a functional country. Why don’t we develop a platform for a youth-driven Silicon Valley for entrepreneurship and production, especially in energy, information, and food security, which are key factors that will shape the national security of nations in the present and in the future?” he queried.

Expressing concern over the plight of Nigerian youths, he lamented that the nation has failed many of its young citizens through lack of access to healthcare, food, good roads, and security.

He decried the mass exodus of young Nigerians abroad, stating that over 80 percent of them are fleeing due to hardship and discomfort. According to him, the patriotic mission of the youth should be to advocate for a country that protects and nurtures talent rather than one that stifles it.

“Our advocacy should be that we should be a country that attracts talents and not kill talents,” Maskking emphasised.