My Travelogue -By Hassan Idris

After all the stress and preparation to leave Kaduna state for Benue State, despite the curfew. All my attentions was  on how to leave the state before I will be chained there for months. It’s better to be chained in my own state than to be chained in school, in another state. Atleast, whatever is coming to kill me should follow me home. Though, I don’t pray for that!

Very early in the morning, on Sunday, I woke up, dressed up with my face mask, sanitizer with me and my hands with gloves. Prevention they said is better than cure. Thenceforth, I decided to call someone I knew working with the pack I always  board thier bus home, and the man told me there’s only one bus heading to Benue state; that I have to hurry up, he has reserved one ticket for me. Upon hearing that, I couldn’t even take my breakfast. I hurriedly took a motor cycle to the pack and upon reaching there, I saw people with face masks,  santizers and gloves. I realized that it was only one bus heading to Benue state and I’m the last passenger. I became so happy I could make it to the pack early enough as all set waiting for me. So I paid my transport fare.

Although, what amazed me the more was a funny looking man dressed up with big rain coat, face mask, gloves and carrying along hand sanitizers like five. He was really dressed like a masquerade. In avoidance of Covid-19, he paid for the complete front seat, so he could seat comfortably and breath peacefully. Now, I’m sure he  was scared of Covid- 19 ravaging the country.

After loading the bus,  the journey began. A brother took the lead to pray for us. And after the prayers, I prayed mine too Islamically. The talk of the day in that bus was Covid-19 and Governor Nasir Elrufa’s testing positive for the virus. Some were happy and some were not happy he tested positive.  Well, that was not my concern, as I smiled to the comeliness of the music I was listening to with my earpiece on my ears. An old woman of about 70 years inside the bus curiously asked ” This Covig, is it a person’s name “?  We all bursted into laughter!

As the journey continued, I called my dad and heard from him, and ended the call with I love you and he replied I love you too urging me to stay safe; wishing me safer trip. I then move to dial my mum’s line and heard from her and we ended with I love you, I love you too; with her wishing me safer journey.  My dad and mum were my hope in life, and I can’t forget them. Well, there’s always a Bestie, I always tell about my journey whenever I’m leaving Kaduna State, and that’s Abdulrazak, my Fulani course mate. I called him and he didn’t pick the call, and I was sure he wasn’t closer. So, later he called back and we started speaking Fulfude, he said ” Jam sago ”  I replied ” Jam Kalau ” I then told him I had taken my leave for Benue State. He missed me alot and that I know.  So, we ended the call too with him saying in Fulfude ” Allah beddu khair” and I replied ”  Miyetti ebarkama, I love you, I love you too he said “.

The thought of Sulty had always been in my mind, but I decided not to call her maybe she might be busy, even though I knew we always ended our calls with, “I love you, I love you so much”. She’s my nightingale!

However, there was no way we could pass inside Kaduna metropolis  and also Abuja the State Capital had been on locked down completely.  So, our driver decided to passed through Southern Kaduna.  And the journey was nice as I was closer to the window of the bus feeling the comeliness of nature;  natural breeze piercing through my skin.

After some hours drive, we approached Keffi, in Nassarawa state,  there were huge road blocks, hold up and  the military officers in collaboration with the police force in action.  ” Stop!  Come down and let’s check you all for Covid-19, before you enter our state ”  one of the Military men said!.  We came down and gently went for the screening and scanning, nobody was tested positive or showed any sign of sought. Sincerely speaking, I commended the efforts of Nassarawa State government for taking such tactical preventive meeasures towards curbing the rapid spread of Covid-19 pandemic.

We had to go and urinate, buy some drinks and  headed to our bus and continued with the journey after the check up. The gossip on Covid-19 continued. My throat was itching me and I felt like coughing, but I couldn’t, because with the scourging fear of Corona virus, if I cough and keep couching, my Co-travellers might send the hell out of me from the bus. I peacefully brought out my Vitamin C  I bought earlier and kept leaking it. And some hours later, we arrived at a restaurant to eat.

At the restaurant, we all came out and had our sits. I bought food and ate to my satisfaction with my bottle water closer, I drank it. I got a Kettle,  performed ablution and prayed two, two rakats prayers. As a Muslim, prayers is compulsory upon me.

The journey continued and hours later we arrived another check point at the outskirt of Lafia, in Nasarawa state. We were asked to come out to be checked again for Covid -19.  We were checked and asked to go. I was so happy with the strigent strategies of curbing Covid-19 by the Nassarawa State government.

In addendum, after  one hour drive, we arrived Benue state and with some 30 minutes drive to the pack. Alhamdulillah, we arrived. My dad and mum were already in the pack with the car ready to pick me. They laughed upon seeing me with the kind of face mask I wore. I then greeted them and headed to the car. Upon arriving home, I took my bath, ate and prayed. Then I received call from my bestie asking me if I have arrived safely. I took my phone called Shamsudeen my friend, Maryam Yaseerat too and chatted some few friends such as my Mentee,  Muhibatullah. I also called Nimatullahi and she welcomed me back home with the comeliness of her enchanting voice. Then I headed and called Mimidoo, a Law Student in Benue State University, Makurdi, I met recently in intellectual discuss and we greeted.

I didn’t step out upon my arrival home, as I decided to do a 14 days quarantine. And that was my travelogue to Benue State, makurdi; the food basket of the Nation.