By Ayodele John Alonge and Sola Owolabi
Our insatiable thirst for helping humanity prompted us to think of what to do to help students during the lockdown necessitated by COVID-19. The injunction of Napoleon Hill that it is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed also fueled our relentless effort to think out a solution. From experience, we have seen that helping others is equivalent to helping oneself. Also, we considered some adverse effect that idleness of students could generate. Youths could engage in risky behaviours when they are idle as some of the characteristics of adolescents include inquisitiveness and willingness to try out new things. Several issues relating to juvenile delinquencies are being recorded on a daily basis and they are on the increase especially during this pandemic. It is on this premised that we tasked our minds to churn out strategies that could cushion the effect of this lockdown.
Several philanthropists donated lots of money during this pandemic and it is apt to appreciate their generosity and social responsibility to humanity. Some critics said their responsiveness was mainly for further advertisement of their firms and others even said it was to further negotiate contracts with government. The truth remains that at such a time as this, they parted with fortune out of their budget. We may not have as much as they have but such as we have, we must also give at such a time as this. Our intellectual properties could also go a long way in ensuring that one idle young person is engaged while another is prevented from trying out products of evil thoughts occasioned by idleness. We thought of the best way to occupy the minds of these youths with smart blood which is quick to propel any act, reasonable or unreasonable. In Nigeria, students in Federal universities appear to be the worst hit as their lecturers are on inevitable strike for just cause.
We were thinking Africa, not just Nigeria for sure. Relying on our international connection, we contacted friends across Africa on how best to help students. It was in the course of our interaction that we reasoned that Telegram is a strong platform that could cater for the plans we had. Could there be a single classroom for students on same level all over Africa? All 100 level students maintaining a single class in the same field. That is how we started. We decided to focus on a specific discipline: Library and Information Science. We contacted facilitators from across Africa, relying on our international connection. The response was massive! These persons are distinguished lecturers from several countries in Africa and they were willing to teach for free which they are currently doing. A platform known as ChecheSkyBoard was created on Telegram and immediately the link was made public, it was like a dry land soaking water in dry season. Students started informing one another and before we could spell Jack, students were into thousands, covering 100 levels to 400 levels and postgraduate students. In total we have 1,317 student in enrolment
The beautiful thing about the classes is that students are appreciative of the efforts. This has also proven to us that youths in Africa are not lazy, they only need focused leadership and enabling environment. We do not offer our facilitators money to buy data, it has been by sheer love for humanity and passion for knowledge sharing. We use this medium to appreciate our volunteers: Dr James A. Aiyebelehin Ambrose Ali University, Nigeria, Dr Opeyemi Soyemi of Backcok University; David Okhaku and Azeez Adeoye of Lead City University, Ibadan, Idris Dauda and Ibrahim Yusuf of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, David Adepoju of Leadership University, Rwanda, Ify Evangel Obim, University of Nigeria, Nsukka UNN; Oluseyi Josephs of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Olugbenga Oke of skyline University college Sharjah United Arab Emirates; Ty Tihyauni Difur of University of Jos; and Abel M’Kulama of the University of Zambia.
We are optimistic that our story will inspire others to make better contributions and keep the unbroken chain of love going from persons to person. From our experience, we discovered that we are better for this engagement because we have been able to learn new skills, relate with new set of people we wouldn’t have met in our lifetime and we have contributed to the success stories of the next generation of leaders. We also discovered that we do not have to hold any office or have so much money to make impact, all that is needed is a willing heart. Thank you.
Dr. Ayodele Alonge of the University of Ibadan as the President, and Sola Owolabi of the Landmark University, Omu Aran as the Registrar.
