Lifestyle

Economic Hardship Drains Eid Celebration in Ibadan

By Web News 200

By Olubunmi Agboola, Jeffrey Ahonmisi & Fasilat Lawal

Economic hardship and growing security concerns appeared to cast a dark shadow over the Eid-el-Kabir celebration in Ibadan, as major relaxation centres and shopping malls recorded unusually low patronage during what is traditionally one of the busiest festive periods of the year.

A visit by Radio Nigeria correspondents to popular fun spots across the Oyo State capital revealed scanty crowds, quiet walkways and near-empty amusement sections, with only a few families and children seen trying to savour the holiday atmosphere.

At the popular Palms Mall in the Ring Road area of Ibadan, only a handful of children accompanied by their parents were seen at the amusement park section.

One of the amusement park operators, who identified himself simply as Richie, lamented the poor turnout despite efforts to attract customers with gifts and incentives.

However, the manager of another amusement stand in the mall, Ayooluwa Adeleke, expressed satisfaction with the level of patronage at his section.

Some toy vendors around the mall were, however, seen making brisk business as parents purchased items for their children.

The situation was similar at Cocoa Mall in Dugbe and Iris Mall in Apata, where only a few fun seekers were seen shopping or moving around the facilities.

Some children who spoke with Radio Nigeria expressed appreciation to their parents for bringing them out to celebrate and relax.

A parent, Mrs Adesewa Farinde, thanked God for witnessing another Eid-el-Kabir celebration, explaining that she decided to bring her children out to relax ahead of school resumption on Friday.

Other parents, who preferred anonymity, appealed to government at all levels to intensify efforts at strengthening security across the country as schools prepare to resume.

The usually bubbling Ventura Mall along Sango-UI Road, Samonda, also witnessed low turnout of visitors during the celebration.

One of the visitors, Miss Aishat Lawal, said although Eid-el-Kabir comes once in a year and deserved celebration, many people might have stayed away because of the harsh economic situation and insecurity in the country.

At Agodi Gardens, a recreation centre often packed with excited fun seekers during festive periods, the atmosphere was noticeably quiet and less vibrant.

Two parents, Mr Alimi Balogun and Hajiya Hauwa Usman, said they visited the facility to ease stress despite the prevailing economic challenges, lamenting that the recent increase in the price of cooking gas and other essentials had further worsened the burden on families.

Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

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Tourism

Make Tourism Sector more Viable – Fun Seekers

By Web News 319

By Fasilat Lawal/Olayiwola Razaq

If the tourism sector is made more attractive to investors, it could become a viable source of internally generated revenue to government besides offering relaxation services.

Some fun seekers at the Agodi Gardens Ibadan stated this while speaking to Radio Nigeria at Agodi Gardens, Ibadan.

Two of the funseekers, Mr Timileyin Balogun and Mr Sayo Ibrahim who came to relax with their friends, said incentives such as tax reductions could lure investors into the tourism industry.

Similarly, at the University of Ibadan Zoological Garden, two fun seekers who said they were visiting from Lagos, Ikhuemose Otaigbe and Simon Mbeche described  the zoological garden as a nice relaxation spot, urged governments and private organizations to invest more in amusement parks and relaxation centers where Nigerians can relax to improve their health.

They noted that the turnout of fun seekers was low, which they claimed might be due to the economic situation in the country.

 On her part, a parent, Mrs Sherifat Musbaudeen said she decided to bring her family to celebrate the Eid El Kabir at the recreation centre to unwind, and appealed to the state government to review the entrance fee to  attract more fun seekers to the facility.

Some of the children at the two relaxation centres, who were visibly having nice times, expressed delight for horse ride, the swings and the exotic animals at the facility.

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Lifestyle

Eid Celebrations: Low Turnout of Fun-seekers Across Ibadan  

By Web News 169

By Jeffrey Ahonmisi/Fasilat Lawal/Rotimi Famakin

It is no longer news that the federal government declared a 2-day public holiday to celebrate the end of Ramadan, but only some fun-seekers took advantage of it to visit recreation centres, malls and eateries in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Our correspondents who monitored the situation at the Zoological Gardens of the University of Ibadan, Agodi Gardens, and malls in the metropolis report that the turnout of fun-seekers was very low.

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At the Zoological Gardens of the University of Ibadan, a few fun-seekers were seen purchasing tickets to access the facility.

Some children, including Adekunle Yusuf, Ayobami Aremu, and Iretomiwa Awe, who were seen having fun in the facility, said they were thrilled by the sight of the various animals on display.

Two parents, Alhaji Abidemi Olaniran, and Mr Kazeem Adeniran said the relaxation and exposure of the children to the live animals was very important to their wellbeing regardless of the economic challenges in the country.

The situation was also the same at the Agodi Gardens, where a few fun-seekers arrived with their loved ones to relax.

One of them, Mr Sanusi Abdulkadir, said the public holiday allowed him to unwind with his family.

A corps member, Miss Kemi Gbadeyanka, said she was at the relaxation centre to enjoy alongside her friends.

Also, at some of the popular malls in Ibadan, only a few fun-seekers were seen shopping.

Some of the shoppers who were dressed in their religious attires said in spite of the challenging economic situation, it was still necessary to celebrate the end of the end of Ramadan.

Also, traffic was light on some of the major roads around the metropolis. 

Major roads such as Challenge, Aleshinloye Junction, Apata, Dugbe, UI and Ojoo were devoid of the usual traffic congestion.

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Economy

Ameliorate sufferings of masses, Ibadan Residents Appeal to Govt

By Web News 250

By Olawale Asake / Dayo Adu

Fun seekers who visited Agodi Gardens in Ibadan, Oyo State, have urged the Federal Government to find lasting solutions to the current economic hardship which they said is hitting hard on the finances of the poor Nigerians.

They made the appeal while speaking with Radio Nigeria who visited the Gardens and saw people celebrating Eid El Kabir 2024 with their family members.

One of them, Mr Kazeem Adepoju said, he brought his children to the Gardens not because he had enough, but to make them happier during the Sallah, saying, the celebration is once in a year.

On her part, a business woman, Mrs Kafayat Owolabi appealed to Leaders in Government to fulfil the electioneering promises they made and make life bearable for the people.

Mrs Owolabi who thanked God for the grace to witness the Eid El Kabir celebration, called on government to address the issue of economic dwindling.

At the Gardens, fun seekers including parents, youths and Children were seen drinking, eating and catching fun while music was playing for them to rock.

Similarly, fun seekers trooped out to the University of Ibadan Zoological Garden to expend the Eid El fitri holiday.

The fun seekers who are families, groups and individuals assumed relaxing positions to enjoy what the zoological garden facilities offered them.

Some of them who spoke to Radio Nigeria explained that the trip had afforded them the opportunity to ease out stress and meet new friends.

Although, they bemoaned the economic situation of the country which had forced them on low-key celebration, calling on government to tackle the indices inflating prices of goods and commodities in the country. 

They however, expressed the belief that the public holidays declared by the federal government would enable them carry out their personal administration and also bond with their families.

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Environment

Agodi botanical gardens will remain intact – Oyo Govt

By Web News 1438

Oyo State Commissioner of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr Williams Akin-Funmilayo, has stated that the planned Housing Estate Project, Baywood Estate, would not consume the Agodi Botanical Gardens.

He stated this while conducting newsmen round the Agodi Botanical Gardens and the planned site of the estate, noting that, the clarifications became important to educate the people of the state.

The commissioner, who noted that, some residents of the state have confused the site of the planned estate to include Agodi Botanical Gardens, clarified that while the garden sits on 9.11 hectares of land, the large expanse of 46.3 hectares of forest behind the Gardens is to be converted to Baywood Housing Estate.

Mr Akin-Funmilayo while nothing that, Agodi Gardens is one of the remaining legacies inherited by the Governor ‘Seyi Makinde administration, maintained that the recreational facility would be protected and even upgraded to an international Botanical Garden in due course. 

The commissioner equally debunked the false allegation that the state government had been cutting down the trees in the forest, adding that the state government has taken the decision that 80 per cent of the trees in the forest would be retained despite the housing estate project.

He explained that the government has taken the proactive step to convert the forest to a housing estate because the forest has become a hideout for hoodlums, thieves, kidnappers  and perpetrators of many heinous acts, not only in the night but also in broad daylight.

Responding to how the conversion of forest to a housing estate could impact on climatic conditions, the commissioner said: “One of the values of this estate is the preservation of these trees and that is why the name of the estate is ‘Baywood.’ So, the wood is highly significant.

“Oyo State residents should know and rest assured that the government will preserve this forest to the best of our ability, because this administration understands the implications of deforestation and its import on climate change. There might be a few casualties in the provision of infrastructure, but I can tell you that they will be re-planted.

“When this project is completed, it is going to be in a world of its own and a beauty to behold. So, I am reassuring you that the state government has nothing to do with Agodi Gardens as far as the estate construction is concerned. The area that will be converted to an estate is where we are now. 

“The reality is that people cannot pass through this road freely between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m.without fear, because of the high rate of criminality around this corner and the fact that there is vast forest to escape into. Thus, the government is justified for trying to add value to the environment by providing housing instead of keeping the forest and allowing it to remain a habitat for criminals, kidnappers, and evil doers in the society.

“The government of Oyo State does not have any intention to convert Agodi Garden to a housing estate. The plan is to upgrade the garden to an international botanical garden, which will serve the people of Oyo State better than it is right now,” Akin-Funmilayo added.

PR/Iyabo Adebisi

Feature

Festivity: A Look at Places Worth Visiting Across Nigeria

By Web News 1178

Visiting exciting sites in Nigeria will give you unforgettable memories, especially when you go with friends and family. You might have been planning a trip with your friends or family and need to figure out where to visit during this festive period. This article provides a list of 12 places to have cool fun.

 Agodi Gardens, Ibadan

Located in the city of brown roofs, Agodi Gardens is a tourist attraction endearing to every lover of life to Ibadan. The garden which sits at the foot of Old Mokola Hill was formerly known as Agodi Zoological and Botanical Gardens that was created in 1967.

Agodi Gardens

Agodi Gardens, which is an epitome of peace as a result of the abundance of forestry surrounding it, has a lot of nice features which include a water park, children’s play area, rides, picnic spots, restaurant area, a lake and a mini zoo.

It is very serene, lush and green. And needless to say, it is perfect for those who crave the quietness of solitude, picnics, a get-together with friends and family time out.

Erin-Ijesha/Olumirin Waterfall, Osun

Erin-Ijesa, or Olumirin waterfall, is one of the most visited waterfalls in Nigeria. It is located right in the heart of Osun State in the Southwest, just two kilometres from Erin-Ijesa town. Indigenes believe the waterfall possesses healing qualities. Erin-Ijesa, in its entirety, consists of three waterfalls linked by several trails with various stop-off points at certain levels. Hiking to the peak of Erin-Ijesa takes around two hours, but the mesmerising views of valleys, shallow pools, hills, tall trees, and lush vegetation are worth it.

Erin Ijesa Waterfall

Millennium Park, Abuja

This is the largest park in Abuja. There are many fun things: the Italian-style garden, beautiful walkways, extraordinary lights, and many more. It should be on your list if you’re planning a picnic.

Millennium park

Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Abuja

This is a must-see for anyone who enjoys art, design, and culture. It is a stone-like building with vivid, bold metallic structures and sculptures adorning the lush greenery in the gallery.

Thought Art Gallery

Cinemas (Nationwide)

Cinemas are one of the best to visit for the latest movies in Nigeria (Hollywood, Bollywood, adventures, comedy, etc. When visiting, one should plan to get popcorn and a drink to nibble on during the movie. Movie ticket price varies depending on the film; you can decide to book from their website.

Beaches in Lagos

Beaches are also exciting places for a family picnic. There are private beaches and general beaches within Lagos State, at You Beach you will find beach bars, restaurants, and other exciting places on Beach. It is an environment that makes nature nurture you.

Beach

Olumo Rock, Ogun

Olumo Rock is located in Abeokuta, a city in western Nigeria. From the top, you are treated to a dramatic view of the city of Abeokuta, which is definitely one of Nigeria’s most “Instagrammable” shots. The Olumo rock reaches a height of 137 meters above sea level. It is accessible by an elevator and a series of manufactured steps carved into the face of the rock. For those curious about plants, several rare plants are to be sighted at this monumental place.

Olumo Rock

Owu Waterfall, Kwara

Owu waterfall is called the “wonder in the wilderness,” because of its therapeutic effect on visitors. It is suitable for nature lovers and a perfect choice for a picnic.

Owu Waterfall

Obudu Mountain Resort in Cross River 

A beautiful mountain resort is also a good place for a vacation or picnic. Obudu mountain resort is located in Cross River State, formerly regarded as Obudu cattle ranch. Fun things to do: swimming, horse riding, golf, and many more outdoor games. A presidential lodge also serves sumptuous delicacies if you want to spend a few days.

Obudu Mountain Resort

The Calabar Museum

If you have been longing to learn about the history of Nigeria from the pre-colonial eras, you should visit the Calabar Museum. It was the administrative office of the British colonial government in Calabar. The museum is full of documents and records of most of the activities of the British while Nigeria was colonised. Get to know about the history of Nigeria and visit The Calabar Museum.

Calabar Museum

Abraka Turf and Country Club, Delta

The pride of Abraka city is Abraka turf and country club. It has rich vegetation, marine surroundings, and rich, steamy rainforest that is soothing to the body. The beautiful view of sunrise and sunset, the peaceful rise of the early morning sun, and the pleasant music of the birds makes this place perfect for trips, family get together, corporate Christmas party, or a romantic time with your lover. There are indoor games, PlayStation, and free Wi-Fi.

Abraka Turf

Malls

Malls are ultra-modern shopping complex, for varieties of activities and purchases along with several side attractions such as children’s game arcade, film house, and food court. It is one of the popular places for relaxation and entertainment. Malls provide a serene environment where you can play state-of-the-art games, watch the latest movies, eat good food and many more. You can also host a get-together party, hang out with family and friends, and create a fun time for your kids.

Culled / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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