By Seye Fakinlede.
One of the cliches I have always heard in the Anglican Church ( mainly dioceses in the West), by most of the priests I have met or known as a congregant during every New Year’s Eve, is to describe any outgoing year with the Yoruba parlance “ogbologbo” which is translated in English as “hardened” or “callous.”
Now, the phrase “hardened” came handy while having a retrospective appraisal for the out-gone year, 2020 for its multiple woes, even as we count the blessings in it.
The year began with the usual prophecy of fruitfulness, and all by numerous clergies, unbeknownst of the lurking chaos somewhere. Well, many preachers alleged that they saw the exact happenings in the year, yet, none had them named. Perhaps it is the Supreme way of not getting the beloved depressed at the dawn of a new year.
Also, I remember a re-published article ” May your Year be rough” on the morn of January , 2020, where , I had re-wished Nigerians the New-Year wish of Late Tai Solarin. The re-publication was intended knowing fully that a year is never devoid of both unpleasant surprises, yet, I could not stop to sigh when the cluttering events of the year began to unfold.
My Editor, and publisher, Prince. Adefemi Olopejojo, also wrote an editorial asking the then old year, 2019 “To Pack and Go” . The innocent year had its evils , but there was no slightest presentiment Year 2020 bore.
According to someone’s appraisal of year 2020, they said “Basically, a few months were spent in the last year without any anomaly. January, February, November and December, while the rest were of Covid-19, EndSars and other concatention that accompanied those seasons. ” This, I also find to be a truest summary of the year’s happenings.
January was of felicity, then we painted the country like every other part of the world with Red and White for February. We have heard of Covid-19, but shove off the bad news with an erroneous propaganda that our hot weather, onions , and ginger are antidotes for the China disease to pass-over.
It was a year that we “scientifically, and religiously” lied, almost putting our lives at jeopardy, until we became wise to the realities of the “China disease”. However, when it hit our very shore, it was too late for a boarder closure, as we had already began to recount minute numbered cases, then the figure blew into thousands.
The year was also a period we learnt, and “practiced” that God is everywhere even right beneath our nostrils, when all religious houses were closed.
Schools were shut, some students forgot their Maths and tenses, online education, and communication grew immensely, the exit students in secondary schools grew weary and their zeal dropped, writing their exams “on god.”
It was a year employers learnt that distant is not a barrier, and a physical office or presence does not equal productivity. Sadly it was a year many work places downsized, and business crashed.
What about the tears? Yes, tears as a result of COVID-19 related issues.
We began to take our lives seriously, and accountable to our health even took our health facilities seriously for there was no where to run. Isolation centres were created, and many make shifts one. Then Nigeria lost Abba Kyari, Buruji Kashamu, Senator Abiodun Ajimobi, and a few top government officials and Elder State’s men.
These heady challenges continued for 7-months, then we witnessed the angry youths who took on the street to protest against police brutality- EndSars, shortly after the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter that flooded the Internet due to George Floyd’s death. It was a year many aggrieved unashamedly showed the world their pains, and burns through protest.
During this, the Lekki Toll gate massacre occured. 20th October, 2020 is also an inventory in this year’s roll call.
Hundreds of youths killed, maim on an order believed to be between the Federal Government, Nigerian Army and the Lagos State Government, yet no one wants to take the gory-glory of willfully killing her protesting citizens.
Shortly, the “peaceful” protest was hijacked by humans best described as hoodlums because of the aftermath of events, and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed, including lives.
And yes, the Covid-19 palliative looting added some comic relief to the year’s mayhem. “Men” discovering where the palliatives were kept in tones, and got them hurriedly for consumption, never cease to crack lips. A media report says ,” some men looted chemicals thinking they were food palliatives”. 2020 was the year hunger vividly ruled and people would rather “dare death than get hungry”.
ASUU strike also made the roll call. Students have seemingly lost interest in their academics , thanks to ASUU , students now get extra months in school. Their stike lasted for 9 months , perfect trimester.
Then the killings. The deaths. The accidents. Remember the brilliant Tolulope Arotile? The Northern butchering ? The rapes and murder cases? These were another bloody events in 2020, coupled with some military men who were ambushed by the Boko Haram terrorist group.
Sadly, the year must have recorded many orphans , fatherless, or motherless.
Then the Kankara School boys School boys, and their freedom, 2020 inventory is full of blood and praises.
The year many got married on a low key, many got virtual jobs , and some made millions just by working at home. The year can never be forgotten in history. And as 2021 prophetic flows , we only wish for a smooth ride, and the resilient spirit to be strong come what may.
