Life After Graduation: Hard Knocks from COVID-19 -By Mudathir Hayatullahi Folorunsho

On 23rd of March, 2020, one year and seven months ago, students were directed to leave the school environment – Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto – following the directives given by the Federal government of Nigeria. Nigeria recorded its first Covid-19 case, brought in by an Italian man, on February 27, 2020. The virus, which began from Wuhan in China towards the end of 2019, had infected over 44 people in Nigeria in the month of March, 2020 and led to the death of a person.

The index case of Nigeria’s COVID-19 was confirmed by the Virology Laboratory of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, one of the two laboratories with the capacity to diagnose COVID-19 in Nigeria at that time. The index case came to Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos, but he was first suspected to have had the virus in Ogun state and all the 39 people who had contact with him. This includes four health workers at his company’s clinic who had to be quarantined by the Ogun State Government, and contact tracing of the people on the same flight with him. This was initiated by the Lagos State Government and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

On getting home from school, the reality of the lockdown became clear as my parents’ source of income got blocked. My father could not maintain his private school and my mother’s traveling trade was banned. The government did this to contain the spread of the virus, but failed to provide other sources for citizens’ means of livelihood. The so-called COVID-19 relief material and palliatives meant to ease the affairs of the vulnerable citizens were stored somewhere to be eaten by the leaders themselves before they were being looted by some youths. According to BBC News of 25th October, 2020, all the palliatives looted nationwide were worth twenty three billion naira. Everyone was in desperate situations to help each other in their hours of need, yet, they needed to survive amidst the trying time, but our leaders were waiting for directives from CACOVID before the disbursement of the palliatives while the citizens were losing their lives to hunger.

My father, a cleric, no longer receives money from his followers, and on him the whole family depended. During this trying time, our landlord spelt out to us the meaning of owning a house. He did not frustrate my father physically, but his several calls could not let him concentrate on his prayers. Some vulnerable families could not survive the curse, the death of our poorest neighbors were shocking, and I pondered how my life would be and especially what the future holds, becoming a Nigerian family man tomorrow.

I started having the view of my life after graduation. Truly, the struggle of man begins at birth. With my horrible experiences at home during COVID-19 lockdown and progressive reports from NCDC and other health organizations, I realized that Nigeria holds no better plan for me in the future!

What the Future Holds for Me?

It was a Sunday morning, my family was totally stranded and no one to extend us help, my immediate younger sister suggested that we should venture into delivering home lessons for students who were at home, getting dull every day, as games and unnecessary activities occupied their minds.

The moral lessons taught at home were enough to stop us from being influenced by a peer group who ventured into unlawful activities during the days of pandemic, all in the name of finding means of survival, but I kept asking myself what the future actually holds for me in this nation called Nigeria.

I supported the idea of my sister and we started teaching pupils in primary schools at home. The living narrative began to change. I’m not a trained educator but many parents commended my efforts in the lives of their children afterwards. Thanks to COVID-19 that came as a blessing in disguise into my life. It made me discover myself as an in-born teacher!

Two weeks after we started delivering home classes for pupils, some parents showed interest in our services and suggested that we organize tutorial sessions. I sought my father’s consent and he gave us permission to use his Arabic school’s material for the tutorial since the Arabic classes were held in the evening and the tutorial was in the morning.

On 17th April, 2020, during a press briefing, the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, declared the compulsory use of face-mask as the best way to prevent, contain and control the spread of COVID-19 in the state. A lot of students who enrolled for the tutorial sessions with us were made to follow the state directives. We delivered with passion, to the satisfaction of the students. I was compensated which in return made my family happy.

Skill, Entrepreneurship and Opportunity

I acquired graphic design as a skill. I never thought it could become a source of survival. Using my knowledge of innovation, I compiled some useful materials which were sold to my students and a lot of graphic works were done for people which served as another way of income into my pockets. When I returned to school, I still do graphic designs and help my fellows in paying school fees and other online payments. I do that till now and I generate feeding fees without necessarily disturbing my parents at home. I called my father two days ago to inform him that I have paid my tuition fee for this year. I know he would be happy and feel the ease of the burden removed from his neck.

I now realize that no knowledge is a waste. My earlier deplorable narrative has totally changed to a marvellous one. Hence, I know that when I graduate I can stand independently, putting food on the table for my family through my acquired skill without any expectation of a white collar job after graduation.

All could be seen as an opportunity but I believe, a step further to ensuring a better life is important. I took one and I am still enjoying the fruit.

Mudathir Hayatullahi Folorunsho is a 300 Level student of English Language at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

mudathirhayatullahi@gmail.com