How will Nigerians remember 2020?

As the year 2020 comes to a close, Daily Trust talks to some Nigerians on what the year was like for them.

Abdullahi Abdulazeez, 30, Teacher, Jos

What first comes to my mind when I think of 2020 is the pandemic that engulfed the whole world.

This year many have lost their jobs.

I am also a victim because after my Youth Service at FGC Kiyawa Local Government Area of Jigawa State, I was supposed to be retained as a teacher in the school but that opportunity passed me by because of COVID-19.

I am a graduate of French from ABU Zaria, and there are many people like me who lost their jobs in other sectors of the economy.

There is also the rise in fuel pump price, insecurity, bad economy, kidnapping, banditry, among others.

Evelyn Jude, 28, Businesswoman, Jos

The year 2020 is a year that cannot be forgotten in a hurry.

I have not achieved anything this year, seriously.

Is it the coronavirus that one can count as an achievement or the palliatives which many of us did not even get a cup?

There has been great hardship this year.

However, I count myself among the living and healthy ones this year and I give God the glory for His goodness.

My prayer is that 2021 would not be like 2020 because this year witnessed serious hunger across the country, insecurity and strike by ASUU.

Thank God that they have suspended the strike, but it has crippled so many academic activities and the school calendar.

There has also been tension as a result of the constant information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

The mention of 2020 immediately brings the pandemic to mind and its effect on some of us.

The cost of food and other consumables in our markets is another story. May God help us so we don’t face this again. Amen.

Ibrahim Abubakar Dale, 45, Civil Servant, Gombe

It’s really a year full of challenges, ranging from economic meltdown and security challenges, followed by health issues, especially the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also, Increase in petroleum price three times in six months. But despite these challenges, to the glory of Almighty Allah, we were able to get through it.

Dana Daniel Zagi, 30, Journalist, Gombe

The year 2020 has been quite a rollercoaster.

It started with a lot of hopes and we were looking forward to a positive year as it is the tradition.

But just when our hope was high for a great year, the whole planet was shaken to its core by the COVID-19 pandemic, a damaging impact that might not leave soon.

Though the year was tough in the full sense of the word.

It still does not stop the traditional looking forward to a great New Year come 2021, especially as a COVID-19 vaccine is in view.

Haruna Yusuf Abba, 25, Advocate of youth governance, transparency and accountability, Jos

The year 2020 is one of the most difficult years in our history.

We have seen the good, the bad and the ugly. But most importantly, we are among those who are living so we must give glory to the most high God.

It has been a trying time with a lot of lessons learnt, sacrifices made, patience, and perseverance.

The noble Quran has taught us to expect such trying moments and challenges as believers and everything will be fine.
This year, our faith and humanity has been challenged.

May we never see a repeat of this. May 2021 be the best year in the history of our lives with a lot of successes and progress.

Yunusa Isa, 32, Civil Servant, Gombe

The year 2020, which can be described as COVID-19 year, has been full of achievements and challenges both at personal and societal level for me.

At personal level, I have achieved a lot despite the global pandemic, which of course posed a number of setbacks on my plans for the year.

Lockdown and restrictions remain the major bottlenecks accompanied by economic hardships.

Inflation and insecurity are, of course, challenges we will always remember 2020 for.

We hope and pray that in 2021, things will be easier, with many successes and achievements.

Sam’an Ibrahim, 32, Public Servant, Gombe

The year 2020 is a year of faith trying for mankind by the Almighty Allah.

As believers, we should accept the will of God in whatever situation.

But to be candid, it was also the worst year ever in history.

Jude Dangwam, 34, Journalist, Jos

The year 2020 has brought a lot for us to remember.

I will continue to remember this year for the pandemic outbreak and its adverse effects on my life.

I can’t forget in a hurry how 2020 made some of my colleagues jobless.

The language of this year was COVID-19, pandemic, palliatives, hoodlums, lockdown, partial opening of lockdown, vaccine and so on.

There is also the ASUU strike, and the mother of all protests, the #EndSARS Protest across the country calling for an end to police brutality and bad governance in Nigeria.

Also, the killings in 2020.

One can still thank God for life, but the memory will continue to linger in my mind.

I hope the government takes deliberate steps in making life easier for Nigerians and ensure the country is safe.