Jan. 1, 2021

〰✴〰

Triumph had had a challenging year. Just as he opened his eyes to the morning light, a smile lit his face. He felt a surge of happiness. It was a new year! The first day of the year 2021. He sat up in his bed to reminisce about the previous years, trying to count his losses first, and his blessings last. That way, he knew he would have a reason, if not reasons to smile more.

2020 had been a challenging year for him; even for the world. The year had started on a pleasant note. During that period, it was said that Corona Virus had already hit China with its first case in Wuhan. He had no awareness of that until it had become famous in other countries too; Spain, France, Italy, the USA and Egypt, the first African country to record a case. It led to total lockdown in some countries. It was pandemic. Nigeria was said to have recorded her first case of Covid 19 in Lagos State on the 27th of February, 2020 after an Italian who works in Nigeria returned from Milan. More cases were recorded in sequence and not long, Nigeria joined the league of countries having a total lockdown. There was the compulsory rules of wearing nose masks, washing and sanitising hands frequently and social distancing. This virus led to people being quarantined; isolated from the public. A lot of lives were lost all over the world due to this deadly virus.

Triumph could still remember the hardships during the period of the lockdown; no travelling out of the country, no going to school or market, no going to any religious places, no gatherings for celebrations and festivities. Already, the country had issues that masses could not contend with. Even he was not pleased with the current government. He was one of those people who wanted the president to rule the country during his first contest for the seat though he could not vote for him because he was not of age then. But during his next contest, he did not want him there and neither did he want any of the other presidential candidates, so he failed to vote. The president started his second tenure after winning the election. A lot went wrong and at a time, it was announced that the president had been cloned. He had no time for such news, he just wanted to see the right ruler ruling the country but who is he? He was not even sure if he exists yet.

The Corona Virus case dwindled in the countries after a lot of events, such as finding a vaccine after several useless ones had been found. The lockdown was eased in many countries and daily activities started again. Children returned to school, workers begin work, religious activities and ceremonies were carried out again. Things were easy again in the countries but when the cases kept increasing in Nigeria, people started saying that falsity had taken over. Triumph had to think that it was another way for the corrupted leaders to make money for themselves.

Covid 19 issue aside, there was the black lives matter protest that shook the world after the unjust killing of George Floyd in the United States.

End SARS (Special Anti-robbery Squad) protest started in Nigeria in October. It was said to have started in 2017 but the second wave was 2020 and it was a tough one. The protest was to fight police brutality. People wanted Police reform and SARS unit disbanded. There were deaths, looting and arson attached to this. Some of the SARS were attacked and police stations were burnt down. The news of this protest spread to different countries. That period was a memorable one for all Nigerian citizen. Some notable, noblemen and women, celebrities and new heroes and heroines stood up to protest. These led to the killing of peaceful protesters in Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos, burning of Police Stations in Lagos, Ojoo, Ibadan and more. There was also the case of an Anonymous hacking GTBank, Airtel, DSTV and the likes in support of the protest.

Other major events that spread like wildfire include the death of Kobe Bryant, the Basketball player of Los Angeles Lakers and his daughter in a plane crash on January 26, Twitter hack, the death of Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther) on August 28 and Joe Biden becoming the United States’ president-elect on November 7.

Indeed, 2020 had been a rough year but Triumph had reasons to be thankful. He, his family and friends was safe. They circumvented all hurdles and had finally crossed over to a new year. He could still remember how blissful the Christmas festive was. Though he could not go to classes or work during the lockdown, he was not hungry. He triumphed!

As Triumph left his bed, he went straight into the bathroom to wash his teeth. Hours earlier, he was in the church thanking God for seeing him through the year. God was indeed faithful to him. He could hear the noises outdoor. The celebration had begun. He was excited. The extended family were always together during the period.

“Triumph!” Someone called with a piercing voice.

“I’m coming!” He answered.

The End.

A brief narration of some major happenings in Nigeria.

Thanks for reading?

Hi, were you aware of these happenings too? What were the major happenings in your country?