What Is Christmas Season Like, In Nigeria?

Christmas is here like every other one. The weather is cool and the brisk air is shimmering all over one’s hair, as everyone welcomes a new season of joy and happiness. During the day, everywhere is dusky and dry, with scorching sun reaching 30 degree Celsius. Interior and Exteriors surroundings are left tattered with dusk. In fact, the harsh temperature leaves everyone wishing for its hurried departure.

In other words, this is harmattan period in most of Nigeria cities, towns, and villages for you. It’s a time of dry air and little or no rain.

The urban centers are nearly deserted, with fewer vehicles and cars plying the roads, because students, pupils and unskilled labourers are all on holidays. It’s a time civil servants breathe a sigh of relief because of less traffic.

Besides, places of worship such as churches, mosques are not left behind in dwindling numbers of worshippers that attend services.

But there are few exceptions:

Trading activities are at its peak as customers patronize every shop in town, in order to purchase their varied and latest clothes and dresses to wear and mark the festive period. Therefore, shop owners and merchants borrow loans from any source in order to stock their shops, thereby raking in enormous profits for themselves.

Another exception is Tourism attraction centres. Tourism centres such as Olumo rock in Abeokuta, University of Ilorin, and Zoological Garden in University of Ibadan etc. are beehives for local and foreign tourists who have enough cash to throw around the world for pleasures.

Different strokes for different folks.

Christmas is a family reunion time for many, who had long visited home to pay homage once again to their parents and siblings, thus keeping memories alive. It’s not uncommon for erstwhile lovers to rekindle their love-life all over again, during this period. However, major movements are to the East (Igbo) and Western part (Yoruba) of Nigeria.

The list of what Xmas means to everyone goes on and on. It is inexhaustible!
Finally, as it should be, Xmas season is a time to review the year’s goal and evaluate how best to make the most of the next year. Also, it’s a time to count one’s successes, failures and strategize for the next!

Above all, Xmas for Christians is a period to share a love with fellow believers and non-believers alike through gifts, prayers and forgiveness to one another.

Besides, it ought to be a time to visits orphanages, prisons yards, and rehabilitation centres as said by the Holy Book and Jesus Christ.

I wish you all Happy Xmas and Merry Xmas in advance.