As Muslims across the world continued to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir on Wednesday, fun seekers in the Federal Capital Territory defied the rains to catch fun at the Millennium Park.
Some of them who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said the ‘August Rains’ could not stop them from coming to the park to enjoy themselves.
Mrs Aishatu Mohammed, a house wife who came in company with her four children, said the rains had been drizzling since morning.
“We were supposed to have arrived the park long time ago, but the rain prevented us; nevertheless, we were determined to be here; we are in the park now.
“We also thank the almighty Allah for this day, for keeping us alive to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.
“We pray that He will continue to keep us alive to witness more of it,” Mohammed said.
Also, Mallam Idrisu Bello, who deals in Senegalese’ wears in Wuse Market said, the rains were a blessing and could not have stopped the people from celebrating the festival.
According to him, despite that it was raining in the park, people were still troooping in, adding that those who were already inside had to take cover under the trees there.
“This shows that, despite the rain, all is well. The people are determined to enjoy themselves in the park.
“You can see the large turnout of funseekers, enjoying themselves in the spirit of the Sallah. Thanks to Allah.
“I want to say that we, Nigerians, are a happy people; nothing can hinder us from making ourselves happy. This is what happened in the Millennium Park today,” Bello said.
For Mr Kelvin Ofor, a civil servant and a father of three, fun was for everyone to catch.
He said that though the salaries of government workers were not paid, his children still needed to come and enjoy themselves at the park.
“It is Sallah, and we also need to catch fun, that is why we are here. Though, the rain was trying to dull our joy, we thank God that we are having fun inside the park.
“Whether Muslims or Christians, we are one and I see nothing wrong in coming to catch fun alongside my Muslim brothers and sisters; it is their day, but we are in loving with it.
“I thank God for this day, because it is an opportunity for me to come out with my family to have fun,” Ofor said.
NAN observed that though the park was wet, funseekers kept coming in while people who were hiring out mats made brisk business.
Mr Ade Bayo, who rents mats to funseekers in the park, said the rain had facilitated high patronage.
“You know the ground is wet and people can not sit on such ground; therefore, the only option they have is to hire mats.
“It has been good because people are patronising us, to” Bayo said.
NAN attempted to talk to the supervisor of the park, but he refused saying, “I cannot talk to anybody; we are very busy now”.
NAN observed that many funseekers came into the park with their packs of cooked foods and drinks (NAN)
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