By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
A viral video showing a schoolboy wheeling his brother to school in a street in Mushin area of Lagos State has sparked conversations among netizens on the importance of empathy and gratitude and the burden of caregiver roles.
In the video, posted by @Nimisioluwa on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, October 14, the schoolboy was seen pushing his brother, who appeared to be older and disabled, in a wheelchair.
According to the X user who shared the video, wheeling his brother is a daily routine for the schoolboy, saying, “He does this every morning from Monday to Friday.”
@Nimisioluwa also quoted an earlier tweet she made on March 28 to buttress how long she has seen the schoolboy wheel his brother to school.
The March 28 tweet read, “Guys, I saw something that made me tear up and broke my heart. I saw a boy from my window pushing his brother on a wheel chair to school. I was telling my mom about it and she said that’s how he wheels his brother to school every day.
“Oh Allah, I am grateful for the little.”
She further commented on how neatly dressed and polite the boys are, adding that he does this to help his mother.
She wrote, “One beautiful thing about these boys is that they are always neat and well dressed every time I see them and they are very very polite. Life is so unfair mehn.”
“Honestly it’s hard, the boy shoulders the responsibility but he doesn’t have a choice. He is trying to help his mother who hawks herbal medicine (Agbo) early in the morning after getting them ready for school and then get back to her shop to continue selling till they get back from school at noon,” she added.
The video has since gained traction, with many Nigerians offering to support them and their parents with funds or means of transportation to and from school.
The X user who shared the video has contacted the parents of the boys, who gave their express approval for crowdfunding.
As of the time of filing this report, Nigerians have donated over N450,000 to the boys through an account created by the X user.
Many users who saw the video emphasised the importance of empathy toward people with disability, gratitude for whatever comes in an individual’s life, and the underrated burden of caregiver roles.
@OAgodslove quoted the tweet, saying, “Nine years in a wheelchair and I can’t even thank my siblings enough for the care and support they give me. Especially my late mom. God bless them.”
@Pete_technician wrote, “The gift of family. Having people by your side through thick and thin without expectations, never complaining no matter the weight. Because if they don’t, they know probably no other person would.”
@adesoji_ii said, “Sometimes life gives you responsibilities so heavy they weigh on you physically, mentally, and emotionally. Still, you carry them, not because it’s easy, but because you must.
“And though it’s often a thankless load, I hope those who bear it are met with the love, support, and gentle acknowledgement they need to keep going.”
@Wizrab10 said, “Do you now understand how hard it is to be a caregiver abi your brain still dey Maraji?”
@RealMrLoveday tweeted, “Being a caregiver is not easy at all. In less than 3 weeks that my mom was in the hospital for diabetes, I understood this, because as the only one she has, I was the only one running around, go bring this, bring that, cook this, cook that. I wake up every morning to make food and take to the hospital. It wasn’t easy at all. I nearly broke down.”
