The Suntan Beach in Badagry, Lagos 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 huge 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: “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.’’
Low turnout of revellers was recorded on Wednesday at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, one of the relaxation spots which usually attract thousands at festive periods.
A check by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shows that unimpressive number of fun-seekers including children was at the national monument as part of Yuletide activities.
A movie marketer, Mr Daniel Ashenuga, told NAN that his company recorded low patronage as few people came out to watch the movie at the National Theatre in spite of the publicity.
He observed that many fun-seekers decided to celebrate the Christmas in their homes.
“The turnout is not encouraging; may be by Thursday (Boxing Day), people will troop out in large numbers to watch the films we have lined up,’’ he said.
In Abuja, 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 of 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.
Chief Honest Stephen, the Hama Bachama of Bachama Kingdom in Adamawa State, urged Nigerians to pray for peace, stability and economic development.
The royal father made the call yesterday in his 2013 Christmas message at his palace in Numan, Adamawa.
Stephen, who described the security challenges in the country was unfortunate, noted that “all we need is prayers for God’s guidance and protection.
“The insecurity challenges in the Northeast in particular and the country at large is threatening the peaceful co-existence of our dear nation and we need collective prayers for God’s protection and deliverance.
“There will be no meaningful economic development and progress in Nigeria if citizens are not living in peace and harmony.’’
The celebration was peaceful in Numan, Lamurde, Guyuk and Demsa local government.
In Auchi, Edo State, Governor Adams Oshiomohle, urged those in leadership position to provide credible leadership to enable every citizen to identify with the country.
Oshiomohle gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after he attended a mass service at Immaculate Conception Cathedra, Catholic Diocese of Auchi.
He said: “Those of us in leadership position must put our people first and provide credible leadership that will enable every citizen to identify with the country.
“Basically, this is the time for us to rededicate ourselves to the service of God.
“For the people, this is trying time for our country; we need support and prayers for our leaders.’’
He urged Nigerians to pray for the government so that the nation could overcome its challenges, saying “there is no country without problems; problems are meant to be solved. Let us use this occasion to reaffirm our commitment to God, reaffirm our loyalty to our nation and to reaffirm our confidence in the future of our nation.’’
In Abeokuta, Pastor Jibola Odukoya of Christ Life Church urged Christians to pray for peace, unity and progress of the country.
Rev. Odukoya made the call in his sermon to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
He said Christians should use the opportunity of the Christmas and the New Year celebrations to pray for the growth and the nation’s development.
He enjoined both Christians and Muslims to continue to reflect on positive things that unite the nation to enhance its stability.
“We should always read our Holy books and replicate the teachings and lessons of Christmas and also exhibit good characters,’’ he said.
Pastor Joel Datti of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Gombe, reminded Christians that Christmas was not just a time for celebration but an opportunity to ensure that Christ lived in their lives.
He said Christ was the salvation that God gave to his people after man disobeyed Him and that Christians should use the opportunity to reconcile with one another.
“Christmas is not a time for eating, drinking and other luxuries and vices such as fornication and robbery, as being practiced by some people this period.
“It is a time of joy, happiness, freedom from condemnation and reconciliation with fellow human beings and God,’’ he said.
In his sermon, Rev. Fr John Keane, the Parish Priest of St. James Catholic Church, Gombe, said the circumstances and place of birth of Jesus showed his simplicity and humility, hence, the need to emulate such virtues.
Keane admonished Christians to be mindful of the way they celebrate Christmas so that they would “inherit the kingdom of God’’.
Eateries, hotels and recreational centres in Abakaliki metropolis on Wednesday witnessed large turnout of holiday makers.
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.
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