Michael Okunloro | Elevate Your Style

OMO!!! What a year 2020 was. In fact, OMO!!! X 1billion. Wahala for who no fear 2020 o. Abeg we no want see that kind year again o. That was supposed to be the year great things happened to us all. Everyone was beaming with an infectious optimism. Well, let’s just say China had other plans for world and we weren’t exactly prepared for what was coming. 

Hyped like 2020, it sounded too interesting for the things we encountered. I mean, when you hear things like vision 2020, perfection and greatness streams through your mind. Also, the last weeks leading to 2020 were lit. December 2019 was one of the Dettiest ever for me. It was so thrilling my friends and I decided to save up for a Dettier December in 2020.

If only we knew we were saving up for food during the lockdown. Before the lockdown, gist of COVID-19 sounded so distant and passive until February 28th when an Italian man tested positive for the virus in Nigeria. I still remember how panic invaded the country. Within weeks, the number of positive cases increased and this led to the enforcement of a total lockdown by the federal government.

The lockdown came with some telling consequences. Thesewere both positive and negative. Nigerians are known to be very active and hardworking so staying at home for months was very traumatizing for some. One Tuesday morning, in mid April, my neighbour confessed to me that she couldn’t believe how much she missed her “wicked” Oga. As a positive, employers of labour had to embrace the idea of working remotely.

The Nigerian entertainment sector which is one of the most vibrant in the world also felt the impact of the pandemic. Financially, it was a tough time for those in the creative industry as there were no shows and bookings during this period. This further reinforced the fact that the lack of moneycannot kill the Nigerian spirit. 

Entertainers opted to use their social media platforms to reach out to their amazing fans. Although the cinemas were closed, new movies could be streamed on various digital platforms. Despite the harsh conditions, about 20 albums were released. To let you know how crazy it was, HRH King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (Kwam 1) also dropped an Extended Play (EP). Interesting right?

We also had an explosion in marriage proposals and weddingsonce the lockdown was lifted. I guess a lot of people had time to connect on a deeper level in the midst of this turbulence. Once Sanwo-olu just blew whistle for us to go outside like this, all we started seeing was “his view, my view” “he asked, I said yes”. Relationship Twitter wanted to kill us. I no go lie, E CHOKE. Hopefully my MC duties go plenty die this year.😀

Then the #EndSARS protest happened. I really wish I do not have to write about this, but it would be ignoring the sacrifices of those we lost during the protests. This was a legitimate callby youths in Nigerian to reform the police force in general. Speaking specifically, it was move to disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad —the unit notorious for extortion, bullying and extra-judicial killings. In an astounding display of unprecedented unity, patriotism and organization, the youths peacefully flooded streets across the nation to demand reforms. 

Sadly, this led to the brazen murder of Nigerians by the Nigerian Army who swore an oath to defend every Nigerian citizen. Till date, we still don’t know who gave the order to execute such treachery. 20.10.20 is forever etched in the history of this country. We carry this memory with us, and my prayers are with everyone who lost their loved ones to this tragic event.

It was a year filled with emotional roller coaster. Our mental health was tested like never before. Hunger rose to an all time high. Despite these negatives, it wasn’t t all bad. Some of us experienced big wins as well.

Congratulations to words like: hoodlum, quarantine, isolation, curfew, pandemic, face mask, sanitizer, social distancing, personal hygiene etc. for becoming very prominent in our everyday conversations. I pray more positive words make their breakthrough in 2021.

Regardless of how it was, surviving the past year remains a big deal. I hope we take the lessons and blessings from 2020 and move into 2021 with bigger expectations. My prayers are with those who wished 2020 never happened. I pray you all find divine strength, and I pray 2021 brighten your faces with smiles. 

This is me wishing you a prosperous 2021. Please remember to stay safe.