Olabisi Oladosu
As a means to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ogun State Government placed an indefinite ban on schools and social activities in the state.
The announcement of the ban by the government was confirmed in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Kunle Somorin, it says, "
Due to the global spread of the Coronavirus and the recent ban of all high-density gatherings in Ogun State, the State Government wishes to clarify that the ban on high-density gatherings affects all schools, whether they are public or private-owned, as well as all religious activities in the State.
"Consequently, all schools in the State will remain closed indefinitely after school hours on Friday, March, 20th, 2020".
Press Club Mapoly(PCM) interviewed some of the students to know what they have been up to since the closure of schools.
Interestingly, PCM gathered most of the students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic are defying the odds to get themselves involved In productive activities since the ban on schools was placed.
Speaking with PCM, Moses Ashade, an HND 2 student of Electrical Engineering said he has been learning, growing and also extending help to others.
"I have been reading about investment packages, gathering knowledge about how investment works so as to prepare better for the future and know how to secure the future financially when the plague is over.
"I have been connecting with people massively this season, people i have not contacted for ages due to business of activities.
" Also I have been reaching out through calls, messages, chatting and checking up on them.Offering financial assistance when needed, restoring hope and bringing them out of depression and excessive thinking".
Another student identified as Oluwakemi, an ND 1 Accountancy student disclosed that she has been engaging herself by making wigs for money since the lockdown.
However, for Oyebisi Akinwande,an HND2 Mass Communication, it’s a different engagement.Akinwande said the COVID-19 break has availed her the opportunity to learn how to drive a car.
"I have always wished to learn how to drive but due to unavailability of time, I couldn’t but thanks to the lock down that has given me to opportunity to learn how to drive".she said
Okikiola Lawal, an HND2 Accountancy student said she has been reading amidst the pandemic.
Yusuf Adeleke, a final year student of Mass Communication, said" I have been attending online classes and building my journalism career.
Interestingly, Peter Ukpono, a student of Computer Science, has been utilizing the period to learn programming languages.
Peter said " I spend most of my time building my coding life and also i spend most of my time learning new skill, like text animation,3D animation and the rest".
Olabanji Emmanuel, who studies Accountancy has been leveraging on the break to study more and assist his mom in her recycling work.
Abine Simon, a final year Mass communication student told PCM he has been learning more during the period of the lock down
His words:"I have been very engaged during this period. Aside from the online lectures, i have had time to really attend so many online seminars both religious seminars and leadership seminars. Reading articles and stories online and lot more".
A Computer Science student HND 2 , Ojo Ifeoluwa disclosed she has been making fried meat and ponmo which been has been selling to the people around her neighborhood.
Similarly, a student of the Department of Accountancy Tobiloba Adeboye, though not yet a graduate has been lecturing fellow students in his department and those at the ND levels before the school started it’s own e-learning platforms.
"During the early period of the lockdown before each dept started telegram class.I organized an e-classroom on WhatsApp for the student in my dept from ND1 to HND1.
"I invited some instructors to also help me in falicitating some of the courses and this lasted for last 3 weeks without charging them a dime as we believe service to humanity is the best work of life, this I did before the Official telegram of the department was unveiled"
Meanwhile, the management has continued to encourage the student to continue maximizing their time during their stay at home.
The Management of the school through it’s Public Relations Officer, Yemi Ajibola advised the students to stay productive during this period, garnering more skills and leveraging on the online platforms to read and grow.
