26th December, 2015
Fun seekers came out in large numbers in Abuja on Saturday to celebrate the Boxing Day.
Some of them told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), that they experienced joy and fulfillment at the amusement parks.
At the Magic Land Amusement Park, near the Abuja City Gate, Ibrahim Saidu, a resident, told NAN that “I am a Muslim but decided to come and enjoy with my family.
“The Eid-el Maulud came a day before Christmas; it made this year’s Christmas a unique one for both Christians and Muslims in the world.
“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,” Saidu said.
Mrs Damilola Babatunde, a civil servant, commended the peace experienced at the celebration.
She said that there was no security threat in Abuja, thus people decided to come out in their large numbers to have fun in the parks.
“This celebration is peaceful, unlike that of the previous year when there was bomb scare.
“The peace had 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.
Mohammed Lawal, who sells roasted meat popularly referred to as `Suya’ in the park, told NAN that business was booming.
He said that a lot of fun seekers were patronising him in the park.
“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 come 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,’’ Lawal said.
Suraju Jibril, a photographer at the Magic Land Park also corroborated the position of Lawal.
He told NAN that business was good and he was enjoying the patronage by fun seekers.
“People are really coming to have fun, both Christians and Muslims; I have been busy, this is to tell you that things are going on well.’’
At the Millennium Park in Maitama, large number of fun seekers were seen in groups eating and dancing.
Uche Okafor, a businessman at Garki Market, told NAN that he came to the park to have fun with his friends.
“My family has travelled to the East and staying at home is so boring, so I just decided to come out to the park to have fun.
“I am happy for this year’s Christmas celebration because there was no bomb blast.
“The only blast was the gas explosion in Nnewi, but that one was not as a result of terrorism.
“I think the celebration was peaceful, we thank God for everything,’’ he said.
At the Monolisa Park located at Area 11 Garki, fun seekers were enjoying car racing, train, elephant and swings.
Mr Terna Nicodemus, a civil servant, told NAN that he got his salary on Dec. 25.
“When I got my salary alert last night, I decided that I must make my family happy today. And you can see that I am here with them.
“The salary alert gladdened my heart, I lost hope of getting salary this week, but thank God, all is well now,’’ Nicodemus said.