On March 11 2020, the World Health Organization held a media briefing to declare the COVID-19 outbreak a global Pandemic. The corona virus which was declared a pandemic brought about a change in our life style. With the cure for this virus still unknown, our safety as a people is tied to our level of compliance to safety protocols as provided by medical experts globally. On the flip side, Nigerians are growing weary and are becoming more unwilling to follow preventive guidelines. Their trust in official reports and preventive guidance is on the decline as populations grow weary of the prolonged health crisis.

The percentage of Nigerians that seem to take COVID-19 serious is on the decline. A simple observation suggests that people are no longer scared of the virus. This is evident in the way they congregate in public places, commute and interact. We now have more people becoming nonchalant about the virus; this situation is considered as COVID 19 Apathy.

However, a fact remains that COVID-19 is still with us and claiming lives. The total infection rate in Nigeria as at today is recorded at … while the death rate is recorded at…

This discussion is to help us understand the cause and consequences of COVID-19 Apathy.

The Nigerian youth have shown resilience in the effort to bring about the desired change through the #EndSARS protest. #EndSARS, End Police Brutality, 5for5, 7for7, those are perhaps the biggest hash tags for 2020, in fact the #EndSARS still pops up till this day.

Nigerian youth dished out five demands, these five demands have, however, evolved into seven demands currently trending with the hash tag #7for7.

A close examination of these demands indicates that the youth are not just about ending SARS or Police reforms alone, rather, the struggle is now for a holistic overhaul of a dysfunctional system for the common good of all.

One of the 7 seven demands is a reform in the youth affairs which calls for employment among others. According to National Bureau of statistics, as of the second quarter of 2020 the unemployment rate in Nigeria stood at a staggering 27.1% and underemployment rate at 28.6% of young people aged 15 to 34.

On this edition of the programme, as we review the events of 2020, we shall be making deliberate plans to improve existing plans, policies and practices to enhance development of the youths, and also the way forward for the year 2021.

These and many more will form the bases of our discussion today. As we plan for 2021. What are the possible solutions to this issues moving forward?

The year 2020 was a very tough year for Nigeria, introducing chronic cycles of poverty, violence, insecurity and other challenges that thwarted efforts to make huge difference in the quality of lives of Nigerians.

Insecurity, education, unemployment, inflation and recession, health and so on, are challenges that have direct repercussions on our national economic stability, growth and development.

Insecurity in Nigeria became an almost every day conversation in 2020, specifically at the National Assembly; there was hardly a plenary session without motions or bills on security. On the 28th November 2020, 43 farmers were killed by the Boko Haram sect group, 3 days later, frustrated by the situation President Buhari was invited by the house to brief the house on the true state of security and plans to curb it.

SDG 4: Quality Education: States, to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, In Nigeria, though primary education is officially free and compulsory, about 10.5 million children aged 5-14 are not in school.

On this edition of the programme, as review the lapses and setbacks of 2020, we shall be making deliberate plans to improve and reinforce already existing bylaw, strategies, plans, policies and practices to enhance development and growth in both tiers of government and the governed, and also the way forward for the year 2021.

All these and many more will form the bases of our discussion today. As we plan for 2021. What are those issue(s) standing out for you? What are the possible solutions to this issues moving forward? And what are your wishes for this year?

The year 2020 has been an historic year in view of the various happenings with the year. There are various issues that stand out in the year. On this edition of the programme, we shall be having a review of those major events as we assess the challenges, emerging issues and way forward as the year winds down gradually.

Notable among this events are of insecurity ranging from farmer-herdsmen attacks, increased kidnapping, banditry and insurgency. Other major talking points are the issues of the COVID-19 pandemic, and #EndSARS protest. The various regions of the country have had its fair share of insecurity in the year 2020.The kankara school boys’ kidnappings is one among the numerous kidnappings carried out by Bandits and Boko Haram within the north eastern and north western regions of the nation.

Also, while still dwelling on the events of the year, the Academic Staff Union of Universities had been on strike for a record of 9 months within the year, although, called off, but students are still uncertain as to when they will go back to school. Government announced within the year that the country had gone into a second recession within 5 years.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected lives and livelihood as we lockdown and other measures to curtail the spread of the novel virus. Many hopes and desires were scuttled with the news of the identification of the first index case on 28thFeb 2020, the pandemic affected most business, communities, countries and world at large. Massive deaths have been recorded as NCDC pegged current statistics of affected person at 79,789, discharged persons at 68,879 and death rate at 1,231 so far. There’s palpable fear of a second wave of pandemic as restrictions are gradually returning.

All these and many more will form the bases of our discussion today as we review major talking points within the year. Which of these issue(s) stand out for you? What are the emerging issues as the year winds down? And what are grateful to God for this year.

Throughout Nigeria there are high levels of violent street crime including muggings, kidnappings, carjacking and armed robbery.

December is traditionally a busy month for every one of us as it’s the time during which we celebrate Christmas and usher into the New Year: during this season, many of will be out for shopping, socializing, while other will travel up country and visit families and friends.

While the security personnel work hard to identify criminals and deter their activities, heightened security awareness is prudent during the season, Law enforcement departments warns that crimes increase substantially by 30% during the season.

Most burglaries are opportunistic and the season provides just the opportunity for them to do all sort of criminal activities.

Our talking point on this edition in the square will be centered on the fact, whether you’re are prepared for the season or not, there’s something everyone should be aware of, the nitty gritty of security

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off every 25th November to 10thDecember. It was started at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and continues to be coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership. It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 243 million women and girls globally were abused by their intimate partners. Globally over a third (35%) of women has experienced physical and or sexual violence by an intimate partner or sexual violence by a non-partner at some point in their lives.

Previous studies from Nigeria have shown the prevalence of violence range from 31% to 61% for psychological/emotional violence, 20% to 31% for sexual violence, and 7% to 31% physical violence. Further studies conducted in different regions in Nigeria have reported prevalence of violence ranging from 42% in the North, 29% in the South West, 78.8% South East, 41% in the South-South

Gender based violence is reported to have significantly increased since the lockdown; data has general increased in GBV across all six geopolitical zones. Statistics from 24 states shows that in March, the total number of GBV incident reported were 346 while in the first part of April, incident report spiked to 794, depicting a 56% increase in two weeks.

With these statistics, the indicators are clear that Gender and sexual based violence is still lurking around, although under reported.

Our talking point on this edition in the square will be centered on Awareness, Cultures, Traditions, Constructs and possible solutions to issues of sexual and gender based violence.