Fun seekers yesterday besieged many popular amusement spots across the country in celebrating the Boxing Day holiday, despite the economic challenges.
In Lagos, the fun seekers, who cut across all ages, thronged the Ikeja City Mall housing Shop Rite and other malls at Alausa in Ikeja, the state capital.
There was hardly any space left to navigate through the mall. Some were seen eating, others were shopping, some were buying tickets to watch movies at the cinema.
Hordes of people queued at the foyer leading to the cinema, waiting to pay for the tickets to watch the latest movies in town.
At the Johnson Jakande Tinubu (JJT) Park in Ikeja, fun seekers played various games, including chess, ludo, and table tennis.
Some people were taking pictures and recording videos with their mobile phones.
A physically-challenged father of three, Abubakar Ridwan, expressed delight at the cool ambience of the park. He said he spent heavily to bring his children to the park to unwind and have fun.
The wheelchair basketball player said: “I came here because of my children. I can do anything for them. The transport fare from my Ketu home to this place was high, but I don’t mind.”
Despite the
At the Justrite Funfair at Jakande Estate in Lagos, fun seekers enjoyed a lot of refreshment and camaraderie.
A businessman, Jacob Buchi, said he embraced the festive spirit with his children.
“The atmosphere is very good. We’re just relaxing and celebrating the season,” he said.
Buchi noted that the economic challenges have compelled many people to adjust in their spending.
“It’s about managing your resources. You cut your coat according to your size. What we can afford is what we can spend here,” he said, urging others to prioritise joy and family.
In Jos, the Plateau State capital, fun seekers thronged the city’s Wild Life Park to watch crocodiles, pythons, lions, monkeys and a variety of birds.
The wild life museum also offered additional fun sites where preserved animals that have gone into extinction can be found. These include the preserved bodies of elephant heads, bones, lion skin, skulls of pythons, and bulls.
A six-year-old fun seeker, Christiana Samson, said: “I’m here catching fun. I came with my siblings, my mum and my aunty. We are all happy to be here on Boxing Day. We will even be here tomorrow.”
At the Jos Amusement Park, which is two kilometres from the wild life park, about four weddings receptions were taking place at 2 p.m. yesterday.
At the Mees Palace located in Rayfield, Jos, hundreds of children were moving from one point to the others in the search for fun.
Also, at the Rayfield Resorts in the tin city, children took rides on the lake in flying boats, fitted with life jackets.
In Makurdi, the Benue State capital, many families were at the IBB Square for a carnival sponsored by a beer company.
The revellers danced and sang to the music provided by the DJ and life bands.
Some youths played games with one another to savour the moments.
At Tito Tate, Railway Crossing on Kashim Ibrahim Road in Makurdi, many youths visited a popular eatery for foods and drinks.
The fun seekers expressed gratitude to God for sparing their lives, despite the economic challenges in then land.
In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), fun seekers came out in large numbers to celebrate the Boxing Day.
At the Magic Land Amusement Park, near the Abuja City Gate, the fun seekers told The Nation that they experienced joy and fulfillment.
A resident, Ola Ibrahim, said: “I am a Muslim but decided to come and enjoy with my family.
“This holiday is for Muslims and Christians. We are enjoying it together. I am happy and have decided to come out here to enjoy the holiday with my family. Being together with my family at the park is a thing of joy for me. I am very happy.”
A civil servant, Mrs. Shola Babatunde, expressed joy for the peace that prevailed throughout the period of celebration.
She said: “This celebration is peaceful, unlike that of the previous year when there were kidnapping issues here and there.
“The peace has made people to come out to have fun with their loved ones. If you look around, you will see many fun seekers – young and old – having fun.”
A vendor of roasted meat, popularly called suya, Lawal Adamu, said business was booming.
“I am doing well; the business is booming. Last year, I made up to N500,000 during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“I hope to make more than that this year, because the number of people that came to the park this year is more than that of last year.
“My brother, I would not lie to you, business is good. All thanks to Almighty Allah,” he said.
