Fun seekers at the ‘magicland’, an amusement park in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have called for tolerance, love and sacrifice to enhance national unity.
Fun seekers in their large numbers trooped to the amusement park near the Abuja city gate, which has over 25 facilities for entertainment.
Hundreds of them who turned up to celebrate the Easter holidays, did not hide their joy and love for the lessons of the season.
A mobile Automated Teller Machine was stationed inside the park to take care of those who might run out of cash.
A cross section of them spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, describing the day as worthy of celebration by all Nigerians, regardless of religious or political affiliations.
Mr. Linus Okereke, a resident who just alighted from the ‘Eagle’s Ride,’ a pleasure ride, said he was in the park with his family in the spirit of the Easter to catch fun.
“We are here to enjoy ourselves; you can see people of different background entering the pirate boats, ‘Eagle’s Ride,’ and other facilities together laughing and enjoying themselves. That means unity.
“That is how it should be; that is what we need in this country: peace, love and harmony,” he said.
Mrs. Bridget Abraham, a trader at Garki market, trying to board the ‘Pirate Boat’ in the park, said the Easter was a celebration of joy and gratitude to the creator by mankind.
According to her, catching fun for the Easter is non-religious, tribal or sectional. Everybody likes fun and since the Easter has created the opportunity, let everybody enjoy it.
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“You can even see Muslim brothers and sisters in the park catching their fun; this means we are all one.
“I wish we continue to appreciate, tolerate and love one another as Christ loved mankind to lay down His life for our redemption.
“This Easter has afforded people of different tribes, religion and political affiliation the opportunity to come together in the park to have fun. What can be better than this,” Abraham asked.
For Malam Idris Mohammed, a civil servant who visited the park with his two wives and five children, it was ecstasy all the way.
“We are all one in this country, it is just some form of misunderstanding that is causing division and hatred. As we are having fun here, nobody wants to know your religion or tribe.
“Fun has no tribe and we Nigerians must learn how to tolerate one another with the love that God the Almighty creator has for His creatures.
“Personally, I believe the celebration of Easter should be done by all Nigerians and when Sallah comes, same should be the case.
“I also know that people of different religion come here during Sallah celebrations
“Let us love each other and put Nigeria first before any other thing. Let us also pray for our leaders to lead us right and make us happy,” Mohammed said.
Mrs. Loveth Ogbo, after enjoying the ‘Water Splash Ride,’ said she was happy seeing people of different background enjoying themselves in the park.
“The smile on faces of people is as a result of the Easter, which means the spirit of the season is a unifying one.
“This means tolerance and love; however, we should also imbibe the virtues of sacrifice that characterise the Easter to help other Nigerians in need.
“When we help and make sacrifices for other people in need, God will be happy with us, because everyone on this earth is supposed to be a blessing to another. That is what makes God to be happy,” Ogbo said.
Meanwhile, Malam Mohammed Lawal, who sells barbecue also known as ‘Suya’ in the park, said patronage was high.
“People are buying from me. I made a lot of sales. I thank Almighty Allah for this Easter celebration. It is good.”
Similarly, the Manager of the park, Mr Paul Okoh, said it had facilities for Nigerians to have fun to the fullest.
He wished fun seekers happy celebration and prayed for unity, love and peaceful coexistence in the country. (NAN)