This is about picturing the realities in our society.

Just before you begin : This is a discussion between three social agents, three women involved in different social innovations who’ve been brought together to discuss the different issues they’ve solved, the different stories they’ve heard and how we all can become good influencers, good change agents. I hope this stirs a thing up as you read.

                             Meet the Change Agents:

My name is Jadesola Olumide, I Work with women in rural and urban Nigeria. My organization teaches them to work with their hands to make money, well that’s what some people call skills acquisition. I have worked with over 5,000 women and I am still working daily with women and girls.

I am Tomi Nelson, I am an advocate against rape and sexual assault in society. I was working in the UK before coming to stay in Nigeria, and I must say I have seen much more than I expected to see. It’s no news that we have a lot to do but it is news that we need hands to make this happen.

My name is Lilian Ukachi. I am a media personality, social media influencer and trainer. I work with women and girls on a daily basis, I listen to them, motivate them to thirst for more and go beyond their boundaries. We have a lot of women and girls out there whose zest for life has been destroyed. It is imperative that we join hands to make their dreams come true.

Moderator: Hey Ladies.

Ladies: Madam Moderator… How are you doing?

Moderator: I am fine. We are going to be talking about ‘social -distancing’ 

Lilian Ukachi: Some of us whose job falls under essential services have been going to work o. Na the work wey we do (that’s what we do for a living). lol. But it is very important that we take precaution. In as much as it is difficult to do, it is better to be healthy and alive.

Tomi Nelson: It is a very delicate period right now. we are under a terrible bio-weapon and this to me doesn’t make sense. I am very angry at the moment. Some people sat up somewhere and decided to take malicious steps to showcase their power. They never thought to care about other people neither did they tell try to warn the rest of the world about it. They just put all of us into a fix. I am seriously pissed. Oh, fine, we have the new normal. Wash your hands and sanitise which is good, this should have been our way of life but this has pulled our ears back to the normal that should have been our lifestyle. Yes, I get it but this whole thing is heart wrecking and to me, very very silly and unnecessary. People are dying, health workers are losing their lives because of what? a show of power? mtchew.  And then, this one treatment runs for all is something I think we should look into. As Africans, we don’t have a lot of things in place. Our economy doesn’t suit the average man. We live from hand to mouth. So, how do you expect to keep people under? How do we expect to tell people who are struggling to live to stay out of their means of livelihood? See… I do not understand all of this thing but I am crazy mad at it.

Jadesola Olumide: I like Tomi’s point of view. This social distancing is needed yeah, we get it but at the same time, we need to understand the specs we have here. For instance, Nigeria is one place with a terrible economy and I heard that there is a food bank trying to run in different states but we know how terrible we are in data. we have no data. How would the food get to the needy?  Another angle is electricity. You are asking us to stay home in darkness and heat, those who should work from home cannot because there is no power. Then again, we burn fuel trying to power our generators in the midst of all the stock up and no movement thing and the numerous things we have to take care of. I think we need to find better treatment for our peculiar areas. What works in the Western world might not totally function in this terrain. Of course, we will follow instructions. We will be hygienic but to face our reality, the extreme measures may not work well in this environment.

Moderator: But cases are going up in the country

Lilian Ukachi : Listen, I am of a different opinion on this issue. It is important to stay safe. It is important to follow the rules. Oh yes, we know what’s up in our nation but this shouldn’t stop us from staying alive. Have you checked the stats in the US and in Italy? Italians were being stubborn before now, and even the Americans and that is why people have been asked to stay home cos when they stay home, the virus stops spreading. I know the peculiarity of our nation but we should follow what scientists have asked us to do. They understand that that is what works for the virus no matter the country. This virus doesn’t work according to states, it is a virus and it follows the same technique and we have been asked to follow the rules so it doesn’t come calling on our names. To me, it has opened us up to our mistakes as humans and our failure as a nation but at the same time, Parents are bonding with their kids. Couples have time to talk. Parents now understand how valuable teachers are. We are seeing the new light and the earth is recovering from its numerous pollution. Well, there is a good side to the evil but we will overcome this. I know we will.

Tomi Nelson: I totally understand that we need to follow what we have been told, just that this social distancing/self-isolation thing is difficult in this part of the world where you have to battle with everything. Light would have made it easier but we know our case right now. We are just there.

Jadesola Olumide: Let us pray and hope that this thing goes away fast. On a lighter note, people are shading religious leaders cos apparently, miracles have been on hold since lockdown. Everyone is waiting for coronavirus to leave before performing miracles. lol. God help our world.

Moderator: So, we advise that everyone stays home till this is over and by the way, we also heard that some pastors have been sharing their church account details fiercely on social media.

Ladies: Ah! what?

Moderator: Social distancing…

Please, stay safe.