The year 2020 will remain a peculiar year for a long time to come; it is indeed second to none in a century. 2020, a leap year with 366 days was synonymous to Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid – 19) pandemic. The first incident of this infectious disease was recorded in Wuhan Province, China in late 2019. Howbeit, the epidemic turned pandemic as declared by World Health Organization (WHO) reigned supreme in Europe and other parts of the world in the first quarter of 2020, of which Nigeria recorded her index case in late February. The whole world was literarily on lockdown in second quarter of the year, as most international airports were shutdown for several months. The lockdown was not without financial consequence globally and locally. Millions of lives didn’t live to tell the story of this pandemic.

For the first time in recent decades, embargo was placed on social gathering, religious activities, schools, markets and companies were closed, even government workers were asked to stay at home, save for few on essential services. The year was a year of ‘new normal'. Social/physical distancing, use of nose mask, regular hand washing, use of hand sanitizer, isolation, quarantine became popular expressions. Exchange of pleasantries was done with caution void of hand shaking, hugging or any form of body contact as much as possible. Regrettably, while the nations of the world were still counting their losses and rejoicing for flattening the curve, the second wave of the pandemic came, of which second lockdown in Nigeria is not impossible. The only ray of light is discovery of some vaccine candidates at various levels of approval.

Away from Covid – 19, the campaign against Police brutality in Nigeria code named #EndSARS prosecuted by Nigerian youth was not just historic but first of it kind. Young adults mostly from southern part of the country spoke with one voice online and on the street, against every form of injustice and extra-judicial killings, perpetrated by uniform men paid with tax payers' money.

The #EndSARS protest almost bring some of the nation’s cities to their kneels, most especially, Lagos, Abuja and Benin. The campaign came to the peak on October 20, 2020 when uniform men believed to be officers and men of Nigerian Army allegedly open fire on armless Nigerians (protesters), who were holding the national flag and reciting the national anthem. The actual number of casualties in the incident was shrouded in controversy. A school of thought opined that the incident (popularly referred to as Lekki shooting) was a calculated attempt, by the power that be, to silence the voice of reason. The outcry that followed Lekki shooting is worthy of note.

Sadly, the protest that was initially peaceful was eventually hijacked by the hoodlums, and turned violent in major cities. Scores of Police officers and civilians were killed in the process, many public and private properties were looted and destroyed, including several Police stations. Also, there was an incident of successful prison break in Benin, Edo State and attempt prison break in other States. The day, October 20, 2020 and succeeding days were indeed dark days for this federating unit.

Looting of palliative warehouse across the country was aftermath of #EndSARS protest. Several warehouses were identified and looted. The widespread of Covid – 19 palliatives looting nationwide clearly depict the hunger in the land. No thanks to Covid – 19 inspired lockdown and bad leadership/poor governance.

On security, one of the main agenda of the present administration; it’s regrettable that Boko Haram insurgents still sack, loot and destroy communities, and kill at will, in the North-East. On the other hand, bandits reigned in the North-West and some North-Central States. Although, the government at the central summoned Service Chiefs for security meeting periodically; the Nigerian security agencies were not able to match their talk with action. Successful adoption of over three hundred school boys in Kankara comes to mind. Thanks to all that were involved in the negotiation that resulted in the return of the Kankara boys. Down south was equally not spared, kidnapping and sexual assaults were prominent while the year last.

As earlier stated, Covid – 19 inspired lockdown affected the global economy, of which Nigeria had her own share. There was global reduction in the demand for crude oil, as well as fall in it price. Nigeria being oil dependent mono economy nation; the nation's economy was left in dire straits, to the extend that the economy went back to another recession in the space of 5 years. Also, while the lockdown last and for security reasons, farmers stayed away from their farms. Farmers inability to access their farms was primarily responsible for food inflation in the year 2020. Despite being the largest economy according to IMF statistics, Nigeria economy is still in bad state.

Though the year 2020 was challenging for the nation, a cogent lesson was learnt, that we should be prepared at every point in time as a nation for vicissitudes. In terms of policy making, infrastructural provision and otherwise, the nation need be battle ready to wrestle every form of unpleasant circumstances. Better still, the leadership should learn to be proactive rather than being reactive, as we look forward to a prosperous 2021.

Happy New Year!

Source: https://www.olamilite.com/2021/01/2020-year-like-no-other.html