Holiday makers in Lagos on Tuesday ensured that the New Year’s day celebrations were remarkable in the city.
In separate interviews, different people said that the holiday gave them an opportunity to kick back from the hectic life that Lagos has become. One speaker, Ali Yakubu, was grateful for the time spent with his family. Speaking at the Bar Beach, Mr. Yakubu said, “I believe that the best thing for me and my family is to come around here at the Bar Beach and have a nice time with them.
“We are also gathered here to thank the Almighty for giving us live to witness the arrival of a New Year,” he said.
On his part, Yinka Adefeko said that members of his immediate family had a tradition of spending the New Year holiday at the Bar Beach. Adefeko however complained about touts at the beach. He asked that the State Government to pay more attention to the provision of security for people using the beach. Adefeko explained that the rate at which touts were issuing different kinds of tickets to defraud the fun seekers at the arena could cause harm to tourism in the state.
On her part, Omolola Akolade, a trader at the Bar Beach said, “the turnout of picnickers this year is not different from past years because people would always come out to enjoy themselves in appreciation for being alive. But most of them came with their food and drinks. They stop by Shoprite and eateries to get what they need to enjoy while we are experiencing low patronage.”
Other popular spots including the Silverbird Galleria, the Palms Shopping Mall, the National Theatre, O-Zone Cinemas and the Ikeja Shopping Mall were all filled to capacity.
