POST-NYSC DEPRESSION, COVID-19 AND THE BELIEVER’S TEST

I had my POP on the 5^th of March, 2020. A day after, I went to Katsina for a friend’s wedding. I returned the same day and on Sunday, I went for a reunion with my secondary school mates living in Kano and I must confess that it was a blast.

On Monday, the 9^th March, 2020, I returned to Kaduna triumphantly, having successfully concluded my one-year national service. I was happy and elated that I was successful but my happiness was dampened by the realisation that I am officially in the labour market and the labour market is an unpleasant space. My situation is further compounded by the fact that I don’t have a prior contract with my state unlike most of my colleagues.

In any case, I am not one to shy away or be depressed by life’s situations. I resolved to do my best to make sure I come out on top. I decided to start submitting job applications and utilise the time I have to achieve something magnificent. Then, survival became more important and everything else didn’t matter.

In a shocking twist, on 27^th February, 2020, without warning, the country had its first case of COVID-19 (the dreaded corona virus disease) and at the moment, we have 97 confirmed cases in the country. This triggered a lockdown in certain states in the country, including our dear Kaduna state. With the online and media frenzy buzzing around, people feel their lives flashing before their eyes. I personally have given thought to some of my life choices and I have made resolves to make better choices, all thanks to the virus.

Our state is on a lockdown. Movement has been restricted. Places of worship have been closed down and we are in a spiritual dilemma. I am a man of faith and this disease has shaken me beyond description. I have the believe that praying in congregation helps increase my faith and I find my faith diminishing due to praying alone at home. I understand that the measures taken are necessary but I am sad and disturbed all the same. My consolation is the realisation that things happen for a reason and that this is definitely a test from the Almighty, one I intend to pass.

My heart is always attached to the haramain. I watch all five daily prayers on YouTube and I am familiar with all the imams in the haramain. Imagine my grief and sorrow when I heard that the haramain has been closed to worshippers. I listened to sheikh Sudais’ announcement regarding the closure of the masjids and the measures taken to limit the spread of COVID-19 and I had mixed feelings. The measures are necessary and practical but sad at the same time. My consolation was the fact that even though dawaf and umrah had been suspended, the five daily prayers still hold and I still watch. I pray for the day Allah will grant me the ability to visit the holy lands. On a separate note, having followed the happenings in the Haramain for several years, I am particularly drawn to the personality of the President of the Haramain. He is one of my best people in the world at the moment. Of course, it helps that he has a melodious recitation.

To those with the believe that the virus is a conspiracy or that it doesn’t exist, my call is that they should rethink their stance and obey the authorities. This would make it easier for us to contain the spread of the virus before it reaches the devastating scale that advanced countries like USA, Italy, Spain and the UK are experiencing. A stitch in time, they say, saves nine.

My prayer is that this COVID-19 situation resolves in the near future and life returns to normal at the soonest. I am hopeful that we would learn from the lessons and be more thankful to the Almighty for all the normal and regular things we take for granted. I for one have done some deep introspection and in sha Allah, I would come out of this, a better person. A more thankful person. A more contented person.