2020: A RECAP

'Growing doesn't come easy. And be assured that whatever condition we find ourselves it's just a phase' 

A friend said this to me while going through one of the phases in my 2020 journey. I have kept it in mind that long and so I've decided to share the trick with you.

Warmest regards to you all for being amazing. Yes! You all are amazing. And you made my 2020 better.

2020 has been a roller coaster of events and activities. Like a popular meme flying round already, we can wittily conclude that this year had 6 months; January, February, Lockdown, Endsars, November and December. And that's hilariously nothing but the truth.

Life is generally built like a roller coaster. Sometimes it turns and reveals the bad sides and sometimes if rolls over to reveal the good (in a twinkle of an eye). What should always keep us going is believe that the good will always come no matter how long it will take. We hope for the best to come always. 

And what brings this hope to us? It's the strong belief we possess; the religion. It fortifies us to make the best use of every moment.

We all started 2020 with the full energy, vibes and positive minds to achieve more. I can remember wishes and lists flying on the street of Twitter. The new year euphoria passed by and we resumed to our various activities and Job again. Before we knew it, life was twisting and it looked like the world was coming to end at our very own faces.

The emergence of the COVID-19 Pandemic threw so many in a dilemma they never envisaged. Who could have thought we would go on lockdown for months? 70percent of the average Nigerian's businesses were stagnant for that period. For some of us who do not have solid plans as at then, we felt it. 

This pandemic didn't come alone though. It came with a lot of orientation and reorientations. We learnt how to live life in a 'new normal' standard. We learnt new words like quarantine, self isolation, lockdown, social distancing, unaccountable donations, e.t.c. It was indeed a pandemic of enlightenment to say the least. 

There were no public gatherings. Event centers shut. No parties held

Religious houses, markets, companies and schools were closed too. It was a total lockdown in some states of the federation.

But there are things we obviously learnt from this. As every bad occurrence has it's good sides too, you know.

I don't know about you but for me:

1. Immediate friends and family made use of that time to bond and get much closer. 

2. Relationship were fixed as we don't want to lose our loved ones.

3. We figured out those who are truly for us. 

4. We understood that real People will still love you no matter what.

5. We took note and became aware of the happenings in your immediate environment.

6. We learnt to manage our mental health.

7. We learnt to manage resources and be accountable.

8. We understood that we can make friends anywhere and even friends you barely know can impact and transform you greatly than the ones you have known for year's.

9. We learnt more about cooperation and social support 

10. Sense of gratitude 

If I left any out, please help by dropping yours in the comments section below this post.

In furtherance, the lockdown took a toll on us all. After it was relaxed, we thought it was over until we resumed to tackle inflation of prices of goods and services in the market. ASUU strike continued for the University students.

Apparently, the ASUU strike had been on for long too but the pandemic helped to concealed the effect. What a STRUGGLE it was!

Standard of living became very high as there are notable increase in price of goods and services. This made life unbearable for the less privileges. But to my surprise, we were there for one another like never before. I was elated as regards the togetherness we portrayed during that season. I hope it continues. 

The Nigeria Police Force were also in the picture. One of it's unit; The Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), despite the agitation of the youths to #Endsars and police brutality, weren't cautioned. They rather waxed stronger in their atrocities to make life more unbearable for innocent youths in the country. Hence the #Endsars online and offline peaceful protest.

It all started well and was effectively managed until it was hijacked by hoodlums. The Lekki massacre topped it all and life of many innocent and energetic Nigerian youths were wasted. It's so sad to see that Nigeria actually failed them. WE ARE SORRY HEROES.

The events made the rest of the story and we became very helpless. The covid 19 palliatives was found in government warehouses. Trust Nigerians to get them looted now...lol. 

Jokes aside, the rate of poverty went very higher during the lock down. People were hungry and dying but our Government decided to keep and hoard food that could have been a great relief for us.

That did not also end without being hijacked. Hoodlums; thugs and thieves use the rising tension to embark on looting pree as they looted and destroyed private properties and malls in some states of the federation, that hurts.

Imagine loosing your hard earned accumulated wealth to looters, it's so sad.

We were all agitating against leaders and bad government, Yet deliberately hurting ourselves. We could have done better. Yet we are always bold enough to blame and criticise our government officials everyday for stealing too. We forget that the change begins with us.

This made me come to conclusion that the difference between us and the government is just "opportunity". Ask yourself today: WOULD YOU HAVE DONE BETTER?

The FG and ASUU are another game players as there has been no positive feedback from all of meetings they had. It has always been deadlocks.

Recently, the strike was called off on conditions. But the second wave of COVID came into the limelight. As for me, I think I have given up on being a student in Nigeria. 

Despite all we went through, I want to believe we all came out stronger. Some people still think we need to do sanity tests. Lol.  Our mental health was put to so many tests and some are definitely still in shambles.

On a happier note, we all noticed the incessant increase in the rate of couples getting married. I hope and I love to see it. I love that love is leading. May y'all home be blessed. Nobody is talking about how Scum women are marrying scum men now o. ISSOKAY...lol

In all we do, let's not forget to enjoy the moment and make judicious use of our time. I have learnt a lot this year which I will be sharing in my next post.

Hurdles will come. It's meant to put us on reality check at times. But always be YOU!

Then, Jan 1 2021 is just another day and a continuation. Not like the world is dropping anything to crossover. Take responsibility of your actions and consequences!

I do really hope you have a fun filled and fulfilled 2021

Yours always, 

Teni❤