Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, we just began the (2019/2020) academic session and it was my third year at the university. I cruised through life, attending lectures, spending time with my learning colleagues, and engaged actively in journalism activities on campus. Little did I know my fast-paced life would come to a halt in March 2020.
It became real following the discovery of the first index COVID-19 case in Nigeria in the nation’s economic capital, Lagos State, which is the epicenter of the disease. To limit the spread and save lives, the federal government ordered the closure of schools across the country.
As schools ordered indefinite closure, my life became limited within the walls of my home. I had no academic work to do, but I enhanced my passion for the pen profession, journalism. A reflection of the past reminds me often that the pandemic taught me new skills and valuable lessons about myself and the world around me that I hope to carry out in the future.
Will I be sitting at home doing nothing? That was the question on my mind I tried to find a solution to. I eventually resolved to make myself better and also contribute to national development, using my pen to enlighten the public. Then, I decided to write reports and feature stories to CAMPUS LIFE of The Nation newspaper every Thursday. Alas! it was a bold step.
During this period, I always source for news on social media on the current issues in Nigeria to know what I would contribute to the Campus Life section every week. I subscribed to reputable newspapers in Nigeria to the best source for general knowledge and to improve my reportage skill.
While writing stories for The Nation, I encountered a lot of intimidation from Usmanu Danfodiyo University UDUS management over stories considered negative about the school, but I did not relent. I kept writing throughout the pandemic. In just 2020, I wrote up to 30 reports for The Nation Nigeria and I can boldly say that I was the Campus Life reporter with the highest number of stories published in 2020.
Similarly, COVID-19 enlightened me that everything is not about reading and passing examinations, but that we need to apply for opportunities online to stand out from our colleagues. I applied for media opportunities which included training, fellowships, awards, and writing contests. One of the opportunities I was shortlisted for is the African Investigative Journalism Conference (AIJC Fellowships 2021) organised by the University of Johannesburg in South Africa. The training lasted for a whole 25 days during which I learned more about investigative journalism, Fact-Checking reports, Data Journalism, campus corruption, and more.
In the same year, I was also shortlisted to attend the training on Health Misinformation organized by Africa Check which enlightened me on what fact-check is all about and how to write reports on it. I was also chosen as one of the Dataphyte Campus Ambassadors and we received training on how to do data analysis and reporting skills entirely. In addition to that, as a student under the mentorship of Campus Reporter, the next-gen programme of Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism, I received numerous journalism training from the organization which is helping me up till this moment.
Before the pandemic, I was used to only physical learning, but the period taught me how to adapt to digital learning. We are in the 21st century with technological advancement, we can acquire knowledge online and earn certificates without even leaving our rooms. All the journalism training I received was virtual and I also earned a certificate in Digital Marketing organized by Kwara State Government.
The numerous reports I wrote for The Nation and (Campus Reporter) Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism, got me a story grant from International Centre for Investigative Journalism (ICIR) to do investigative stories on online scams in Nigeria.
Furthermore, COVID-19 taught me how life after school would be because I don’t have any vocational skills apart from western education and Arabic knowledge. I thought it would be unreasonable for me not to acquire any vocational skills. During Covid-19, I was able to learn about cloth weaving along with journalism and I earned a lot of money from this skill before the reopening of schools.
For me, COVID-19 is a blessing in disguise because I achieved a lot ranging from improving my journalistic skill, public speaking skills, engaging in mainstream journalism under ICIR, acquired vocational skills and more. During the school session, I hardly have time to read the news reports and articles by veteran columnists, but during the lockdown, I inculcated the habit of reading articles on politics, law, current issues, and entertainment to enlighten myself on what is going on around the world.
The main challenge I faced during the COVID-19 period was the serious intimidation I encountered from the school management over one of my feature stories published on The Nation Nigeria, which is titled “Many Troubles of UDUS Graduates”. I faced the university disciplinary committee and the case was resolved due to the intervention of Pen Press UDUS Alumni and The Nation.
I learnt to persevere, be courageous, and stand by the truth and I didn’t allow the intimidation to discourage me from pursuing my career in journalism. COVID-19 taught me persistence because, despite the financial challenges I encountered that time, I did not let that discourage me from pursuing my career.
To encourage other writers on Nigerian campuses, I dedicated my time to training them and helping them publish their works on Opinion Nigeria and Campus Reporter (PTCIJ). This is to encourage them to keep writing and learning. I also delivered several training sessions for law students during this quarantine period. My hard work and persistence helped my career and paved the way for me in journalism.
Similarly, as a law student, I always go to court to witness the judicial proceedings to improve myself in the procedural aspect of law. COVID-19 also made me adapt to interacting with my families and friends in my area since I cannot be on phone for hours without interacting with people. During the lockdown, I learnt that prayer is the only tool that can prevent a person from difficulty and can open the way for people. My consistent prayer and perseverance while working to improve myself and boost my curriculum vitae paved the way for me and opened numerous opportunities.
Presently, I am doing a four months internship with Media Career Development under the mentorship of CAMPUS REPORTER (PTCIJ) and I am a Freelance Reporter with HumAngle. Finally, I believe that an idle hand is an evil workshop. One of my secondary schoolmates was alleged to have raped a lady during COVID-19 due to being idle and he is currently facing charges in court. Some female students could not resume school with us due to premature pregnancy.
COVID-19 may be a delay for us academically but is a blessing in disguise for me.
Abdulrasheed Hammad is a 300-Level student of Law, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, and a campus reporter with Pen Press UDUS.
