Beyond the daily hustling and bustling lies a strong need in the heart of everyone to take a time out to ease the stress that comes with living.
Different people have different ways of unwinding. To some, it could mean hanging out in a classy restaurant for a treat of one mouth-watering cuisine or the other. Others would want to take time out to watch movies at the cinema. Yet, some would prefer spending all night ruffling and shuffling their feet, while digging it out on the dance floors of classy night clubs in the highbrow areas of Abuja.
However, a handful may prefer relaxation that has health benefits like going to the gym to burn off some calories or visiting a spa for body massage which is believed to aid blood circulation.
A young civil servant, Vera Chima, is seen throwing a ball into crazy hoops at the games section of Silverbird Entertainment Centre. She said she comes to the galleria at least, twice a week to unwind and enjoy. Speaking with LEADERSHIP SUNDAY, “My favourite place here is the cinema. I like watching movies there all the time and I spend between N3000 and N5000 any time I come to this place. I don’t see the money I spend as waste because it is well worth it. I also meet people here; the environment is nice and there is always some fun that will keep one busy.”
To Hillary Ottobong, whose girlfriend is seen enjoying a make-over at the make-up section of the Centre, it is the movie that brings him to the place.
He said, “I am a movie person and I like the sound effect of cinema movies because it’s unbeatable. You don’t get it at home. For many people hanging out at the road-side bars and joints, drinking alcohol and eating fish is their ideal way of unwinding, but it is not very healthy. For me, here (Silverbird) is a more healthful and civilised place to be. Again, I always look forward to coming here every Wednesday because there is free popcorn and free drink on Wednesdays.”
A student of the University of Abuja, Farida Ibrahim, is seen hanging out at King Pin Restaurant, at the Silverbird center with her friends. She said that she enjoys the movies at Silverbird cinema, adding, “My friends and I don’t really come here often, but only once in a blue moon. Each time we come here, we spend between N1000 and N1500, but it’s always worth it.
Two friends, Sonia and Nnenna sat round a table at one of the restaurants, enjoying a cup of ice-cream and packs of popcorn. Sonia stated: “Silverbird is the place when it comes to relaxation, because it offers many entertaining activities. You can decide to go for games, you can go shopping, you can hang out at the restaurants, or do make-over. There are many things they do here, but my favourite is the cinema.
Certainly, hanging out after a hard day’s job is not restricted to singles alone, mothers too are not left out in the quest for fun and relaxation. A mother of two, Sandra Bello, seen at the game section with one of her daughters, said that she likes coming to the galleria because it is fun and safe.
“You know what is happening in Nigeria today, bomb blast in public places. I feel this place is safe enough for one to unwind after the day’s work. Besides, I like bringing my children to the Silverbird. As you can see, my daughter is riding an airplane. Once she is on it, you can hardly get her out of it.
“I usually buy coins for the games. Six coins is one thousand Naira and it gives you access to any game of your choice. You may also decide to buy one or two things from the restaurant.”
Obviously having a good time at Yahusa Suya Spot, an insurance practitioner, Damilola Adejoro, revealed the reason she has a soft spot for Yahusa Suya.
“I love white meat, I like eating chicken suya and masa. I may not have the time to start making chicken suya or masa at home. Instead, I simply come here to buy it.
Vivian Oludele, who was seen with her friend, Tajudeen Badamosi, having a nice time over a plate of suya and some drinks at Yahusa, said that she likes coming to the place because suya at Yahusa is neatly prepared, adding that, “there is something different about Yahusa. The chickens here are so big, well prepared and very appetizing.”
For ladies who love booze, loud music and African delicacies, Ibiza comes in as a perfect option for them. Located along Garki, Ibiza is alive with large number of people who come to unwind, dance, drink and gist.
Belinda Ikoro, who was seen enjoying a plate of fish, said that Ibiza place is preferred by many because of the various African delicacies available in the place.
“Ibiza is known for African delicacies such as peper soup, ugba, fish, suya, nkwobi and drinks. The place is very lively and I like visiting after a hard day at the office. My job is so hectic that sometimes, I hardly have time for myself but when the pressure gets too much, I come here to unwind,” she narrates.
Dancing with her friends, Sandra Agwu, said she prefers coming to Ibiza because, the place is lively, with lots of music and drinks.
“There are different sections here for different African delicacies. It’s just a cool place for hanging out; there is a mini club inside too. When you pay, you can gain entry into the mini club and get free drinks. Again, you meet people here, it could be your old friends or you meet new set of friends,” she said.
Saint Blakes, along Garki Area 11, is another place fancied by many women who want to hang out. It has an in-house bar and a live band to entertain its guests.
A staff of the National Assembly, Stephanie Eze, said that she likes hanging out with her friends at Blakes. “It’s just little things like these that make one live long. Stress is not good; it is good to take time out once in a while and enjoy yourself. My friend (pointing at a man sitting close to her) and I come here at least, once a week, especially, on weekends to unwind.”
To a banker, Eliz, it usually turns out not be hers to decide where she unwinds as her clients always do. But once she has the chance to make a choice, Excellenzo and Ocean Eleven are the places to be.
“A customer may want me to meet him or her at Ceddi Plaza or Cubanna, I don’t have to tell the person that I prefer meeting at another place. But on a very good day, if I want to give myself a treat, I go to Ocean Eleven for a nice treat on sea food. I also club at Excellenzo in Wuse and I watch movies at Silverbird. When I have the time, I visit the gym and visit any spa of my choice for complete relaxation,” she said.
A manager at one of the relaxation centres visited, Mr. Clinton Adeyinka, admited that entertainment business is a big business in Abuja. He said for an owner of a leisure centre to carve a niche for his or her business, it is necessary to do something different from what others are doing.
“Most hotels and relaxation places offer some form of incentives to their customers. It could be free drinks for a particular day in the week or happy hours when a guest may buy things cheaper than other hours. Some also observe ladies’ night, when the ladies don’t pay to gain entry into the night clubs. Sometimes, bottles of wine are given out to customers. All these are just to endear the customer to that particular place,” Adeyinka said.
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