My Covid-19 Story: Nigerian teens share realities of Covid-19’s impact on their lives

It might seem a little distant now. But it’s not. This time last year we were in a lockdown. The world was under the monstrous grip of the coronavirus. Rumours and speculation about the origin and nature of this invincible foe were rife. Data and science were left in the dust. Fear ruled the world.

In Nigeria, things unfolded slowly. It was difficult to believe that the round-the-clock horror TV stories were real. Then, it began to unfold. Slowly. Then surely.

Owing to the nature of the virus, adults have been more directly impacted. But for almost every adult affected, a child or teen has been at the receiving end of the grief.

The death of any parent meant the bereavement of at least one (teenage) child. The death of any teacher was the loss of a guiding light for at least one child. And for every school that was closed during the lockdown, millions of children in poor countries without access to the internet were left further behind.

Children and teens have suffered in a way they only know and can tell. South African Journal of Science, in July-August 2020, said that 173 million schools in 156 countries were affected by lockdowns.

Add the learning crisis and other threats to children’s (and teen’s) survival and health to the mix, and you’ll understand why the impact of the pandemic may be lifelong for some children and teens.

But do you know their stories?

Here are a few stories from Nigerian teens, in their own words:

‘An Unexpected Blow’

Eriken Esther Chinaza , SS 2D, GSS, Area 10, Garki

Covid-19 struck the world unexpectedly. Because of the lockdown, many people did not have access to food. There was a high rate of crimes, such as kidnapping and rape. The government introduced online learning but access was limited. Even for those with handsets, the network was a problem. Also, not everyone had the money to buy data. But those of us whose parents work 24 hours a day were happy that we got to see them.

‘At Some Point, I Got Tired Of Even Family’

Purity Nnodim, SASCON International School, Maitama

I smile when I remember the day I was sent home from school because my elder brother had caught chickenpox. My teacher presumed that I might have contracted the infection from him. I was hurt because I missed a lot. Little did I know that, in a few years, I would be sent home for nearly six months, all in the name of a tiny but mighty virus called Corona!

I missed talking and laughing with my friends face-to-face. Our chats had no life attached to them. At some point, I even got tired of my family. Since we were all at home and saw each other’s faces every day, it didn’t surprise me that we soon got bored of ourselves and turned that boredom into anger and arguments. My brother and I quarrelled about anything and everything, including the TV remote control. The only thing that kept me sane was social media.

‘I Started Writing Novels’

Onovo Chidimma Thehilah, SS 1G, GSS, Wuse Zone 3

All I did for the first few weeks was to eat, sleep and gain weight. After a while, I realised that this whole lockdown was actually supposed to “benefit” me. So, later, I started writing novels. I engaged in online lessons from my school to help me prepare more. Things were tough for some people, but we had enough to eat and drink.

How could I forget? There were times I was so bored; my sisters would ask me, “Are you not feeling bored?” I cured my boredom by reading and writing, watching TV and sleeping. One day, I thought that this was an opportunity for me to make myself more useful to myself, my neighbours and my parents. And I did.

‘Lockdown Affected My Family Financially’

Adebisi Mubeenah Adeola, SS 1B, GSS, Lugbe

The lockdown affected my family financially. My father is a transport operator. Inter-state travel was stopped, and he could not work again. My mother, who is a trader, could no longer go out to sell her goods. But, fortunately for us, help came from family members.

‘Our Meals Went From 111 To 101’

Vivian Ojo-Ache, SS 1G, GSS, Lugbe

Mum made garri (a staple from cassava) in many ways: sometimes we soaked it with sugar and groundnut; at other times, she made eba, and so on. I did not expect “Phase 3” of the lockdown, but it came. It was announced on June 30, 2020. This phase was expected to last four weeks from Tuesday, June 30, to July 27, 2020. Four more weeks with no school, no friends, more carbohydrates! It wasn’t funny!

‘Young Girls Of My Age Were Getting Pregnant’

Idris Zuwaira, Anointed Secondary School, Mpape

Every day, I prayed that one day the sun would rise and schools would be reopened. This was because the situation was going from bad to worse with each passing day. Young girls my age were getting pregnant. My parents were worried and fearful of contracting Covid-19 or getting arrested for violating the health guidelines. We were left to fate.

I cried endlessly, remembering how much my parents used to take care of us when there was money and freedom to move around. I can’t forget. How can I?

Today, the Nigerian teen faces a double whammy of the lingering fallouts of corona and the predations of a country broken by violence on the watch of incompetent leadership. Yet, the memories shared in these stories carry in them the seeds that could reinvent the country.

Original Article Written by Azubuike Ishiekwene for Daily Maverick.