Abuja – Eateries, hotels and recreational centres in
Abakaliki metropolis on Wednesday witnessed large
turnout of holiday makers seeking Christmas
relaxation and fun.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that
there was large number of people who came to
have fun and enjoy the Christmas public holiday in
some of the tourist centres visited.
At both the Fatilami and the Eunice Egwu
Amusement Parks respectively, hundreds of holiday
makers, including children, the old and young, were
seen enjoying themselves, as they engaged in some
recreational activities.
Some fun seekers at the parks said the Christmas
holiday had afforded them the opportunity to relax
and catch some fun.
Mr Fred Abana, who was seen relaxing at the
Fatilami Amusement Park, described the Christmas
season as an important period when people forget
their sorrows and stress and enjoy themselves.
He said “I came to the park with my three children
to relax and enjoy since we did not travel to the
hinterland for Christmas holiday. I consider it wise
to bring them here to celebrate with others who are
here.’’
Miss Joy Elom, Uzoma Eke and Agnes Ogwu, who
were also at the park, said they appreciated God for
the gift of Jesus Christ whose birth the whole
Christendom were celebrating.
Elom said “I have come to relax and have fun with
others here; for me, it is a great relief and I am
enjoying every bit of it. I thank God for the gift of
Jesus, whose birth we are celebrating and it is
unique.’’
A restaurant attendant at the Fatilami Amusement
Park, Miss Ijeoma Okogwu, said the occasion was
an opportunity to make huge sales.
‘`The influx of people into the park is an advantage
for us to make brisk sales; we are making high
sales this period.’’
NAN reports that Mr Biggs, Grace Court hotels and
Citiexotic Hotel also recorded high turnout, as
people celebrate with their loved ones.
Mr Lucky Chukwu, John Agom and Alphonsus Ibina,
at the Grace Court Hotels and Suite, said they came
to ease off tension and expressed gratitude to God
for sparing their lives to see another Christmas.
The Suntan Beach in Badagry, Lagos, also recorded
a large turnout as fun seekers trooped to celebrate
the Christmas.
A NAN correspondent who went round the beach
reports that it was filled with visitors from various
parts of the country.
Malam Lamorde Manaseh, a roast meat (suya)
seller, said he made N23,000 as at 2 p.m. and
expected to sell more before the close of the day.
“I wish everyday can be like this in Nigeria so that I
can make this kind of money every time. I have
made N23,000 already and I’m sure that I will still
make more because people are still coming to the
beach.’’
“The crowd is so much and this is very good
business for me.’’
Mrs Rebecca Atande, a soft drink seller, could not
hide her joy over the money she also made, as she
said “business has been great since morning and
I’m so glad about this because my drinks have
finished and I have to get another.’’
Miss Mojirola Balogun, a fun seeker, said she took
advantage of the holiday to catch fun at the beach
due to her busy schedule.
She said “I rarely have time to have fun due to the
nature of my job, so I use holidays like this to relax
and catch fun.’’
Mr Isaac Ken, the Officer in charge of Suntan
Beach, attributed the large turnout to the safety of
the beach and the patriotism of Nigerians.He said
the beach had not witnessed any mishap in the last
11 months.
“In the last 11 months, we have not witnessed any
drowning in this beach and this can be attributed to
the safety measures we put in place.
“The beach is very safe and this factor has
contributed to the large turnout of people because
they are assured of their safety.’’
In Abuja, however, there were few fun seekers at
some recreational areas when NAN visited.
At the Wonderland Amusement Park, there were
just a few holiday makers as at 11.a.m.
The Manager of the park, Mr Paul Oko, said the
development would improve as soon as Christians
returned from Church services.
He said “you know, most people are still in
Churches, many of the relaxation spots will come
alive as from 2 p.m. when many Christians must
have returned.’’
A visitor to the park, Mr Innocent Vincent, said the
low turnout of people could be due to the fact that
many residents travelled out of Abuja to celebrate
Christmas elsewhere.
At the Millennium Park in Abuja, the relaxation arena
witnessed few number of fun seekers in the early
hours of the day.
An official of the park who refused to reveal his
identity, however, expressed optimism that
business would pick up as the day went by. (NAN)
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