Old students discuss survival strategies for new normal

For many people, the new normal occasioned by the pandemic has been very challenging impacting negatively on mental health. In the midst of it, many are heartbroken and depressed while very few have refused to give up.

There is a need for people to develop new approaches to staying healthy, safe, and productive and maintain mental resilience during the pandemic and beyond.

These, among others, were issues discussed at the 141st reunion 2020 of Methodist Girls’ High School, Yaba, Old Girls’ Association (MGHSOGA) virtual meeting tagged “A time like this” and had over 230 women in attendance globally.

The guest speaker, Professor Andrew Zamani, a clinical psychologist and immediate past president of, Nigerian Psychological Association, pointed out many people are vulnerable to mental breakdowns in the new normal.

The lecturer at Nasarawa State University lamented most families have lost their social control powers to the internet over immorality with most graduates unemployable.

“The meeting provides an opportunity to reflect on values that is best. As torchbearers, I urge you to raise your candlesticks high, to deliver hope for the hopeless and continue to render selfless service to the deprived. As parents, we also need to re-examine our child-rearing and management practices,” Zamani said.

President MGHSOGA Major General Tilewa Amusu (Rtd.) pointed out the topics were carefully chosen given the experience people have gone through in the past seven months with the pandemic, #ENDSARS protest and the aftermaths.

“We are still committed to continuing with our school building project; supporting the school to continue its mandate of raising women to contribute positively to the society as well as fostering an inclusive sisterhood among old girls,” she said.