By: Túndé Jr., Adebayo.
The Coronavirus outbreak has caused a cross carpet crisis which has led to an hibernation in several activities across the globe. Amongst those severely affected is the educational sector. In Nigeria, as soon as the confirmation cases reached double figures, all schools were shut from the nursery level to tertiary/postgraduate level for both private and public institutions.
And for the following three months, students have remained mostly at home, idle. This is because the provided alternative to classes, E-classes, is not standard enough. Some schools are not even practicing this method. While some had since been in an holiday before the lockdown, so there was no need to resume classes till after the lockdown.
Students are now forced to find a ninche. Convinently, the past decade had seen the inclusion of entrepreneurship study in the Nigerian educational syllabus. Also, vocational training has now been re-branded as a viable alternative to academics. This meant that when the lockdown occurred, about a sizable percentage of youths already had another skill to practice asides from academia. This keeps them busy.
In the end, they say ‘an idle hands is the devil’s workshop.’ And it was due to this I took to questioning my colleagues on how they have been coping during this lockdown.
I reached out to Timothy Olaniran, an HND student of Civil Engineering who took the liberty to express his feelings to me, he said. “Ahh… It hasn’t been easy
You know this lockdown was unexpected. But I’ve taken my time to render my skills for sale on Fiverr and LinkedIn. And while it’s not much of a big deal, but I know I’m active and not dependent.”
Then I spoke to an ND 2 student, Mariam who was a tailor by profession too and she has made use of this leisure to fine tune her skill. “I can’t say I thank God for this pandemic. But even when there was party or festivals, I normally do not work as much as I have this lockdown. Personally, I’ve sewn more than five thousand (5,000) face-mask by myself, and I’ve sold out more than that. Personally, I’ve made it affordable for people in my town.” This is an impactful work by a teenager who deemed it necessary to crash the price of nose-masks which had hoarded by certain corners.
Azeez is a finalist in Electrical Engineering at the Polytechnic, Ibadan said. “During this lockdown, I’ve finished my skills on solar energy. And I’ve since been active on the construction of electric panels, breakers and other industrial gadgets. It’s an added knowledge, something I won’t have found time for had there not been a lockdown.”
This shows that the Nigerian youths has some corners will have us believe. Students have been trying so hard to be productive despite nature forcing everyone indoor.
Afolabi Adedayo has had his final exams delayed to the pandemic. But he has been making graphics for companies and for small businesses. He stated. “I have been making money to feed, more than I’ve ever thought I could afford without my certificate. If not for this lockdown. I would not even know I am worth this much.” Such is similar to Blessing who’s a graduate of chemistry. While she awaits her youth service, she has studied the making of soap and creams. This knowledge is even made easy due to the similarities with her course of study.
These days on WhatsApp, students have turned the ‘story’s feature into an online digital market. Numerous sort of commodities are being sold are rendered. From clothing and beauty stock to logistical services to miscellaneous items and as well as groceries. This development works well with social distancing rules followed by world governments.
One would find that Nigerians are hardworking lots with resolve to get things done by getting their hands on lucrative business despite the scarcity of opportunities. Although the lockdown as made it virtually strenuous for one to divulge in creative activities. We should take time to appreciate these youths who have tried to impact to society to make it sustainable despite nature being against it.
