Thousands of fun seekers flocked to parks, beaches, and event centers in Lagos to celebrate Easter, seeking moments of joy despite the prevailing economic hardships in the country.
In May 2023, President Bola Tinubu made the decision to eliminate fuel subsidies, which had been draining the nation’s revenue. However, this move led to a significant increase in fuel prices, causing a ripple effect on transportation costs and overall household expenses. The skyrocketing prices of food, building materials, and other goods further compounded the economic challenges faced by Nigerians. Additionally, the depreciation of the Naira against the dollar worsened the situation, resulting in higher commodity prices and service costs.
Amidst these difficulties, prominent individuals such as governors, senators, and President Tinubu himself, in their Easter messages, encouraged Nigerians not to lose hope and expressed their confidence in the ongoing economic reforms to alleviate hardship in the country.
Despite the prevailing economic challenges, fun seekers from different parts of the country converged on Suntan Beach in Badagry, Lagos State, to celebrate Easter. During festive seasons, beaches like Landmark Beach, La Campagne Tropicana, Tarkwa Bay, and Barracuda Beach have always been popular destinations for fun seekers.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria at Suntan Beach, Joseph Oliver, a resident of Agbara in Ogun State, shared that visiting the beach had become a yearly tradition for him and his family. Despite the economic hardship, he expressed gratitude for God’s protection and emphasized the importance of supporting President Bola Tinubu’s government in its efforts to restore normalcy to the country.
Christiana Adeleke, who came from Igando in Lagos, expressed her excitement about celebrating Easter with her three children at the beach. She shared her personal journey of overcoming economic challenges since her separation from her husband in 2019. Adeleke acknowledged the impact of the economic hardship on everyone but expressed faith in President Tinubu’s ability to bring about positive change in the country.
Furthermore, the Federal Government received commendation for the reconstruction of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, as it provided smooth transportation for the fun seekers. Other popular destinations such as Oniru Beach and Landmark Beach also attracted crowds eager to spend quality time with loved ones, family, and friends.
Ewatomi Mary, one of the fun seekers, expressed her preference for Oniru Beach due to its proximity. She appreciated the affordability and convenience of the location and mentioned that she and her sisters had taken advantage of the Easter holiday to enjoy a memorable outing before returning to work.
The Easter celebrations in Lagos parks and beaches served as a temporary respite for fun seekers amidst the economic challenges, as they expressed hope for a brighter future under President Tinubu’s leadership.