The thrills and frills of night life in Nigeria (Part 2)

[MrVan]

By John Bulus

...In Gombe, night life goes with caution

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" is a popular phrase that depicts both exhaustion and rejuvenation. At night fall the world over, people seem to relax at eateries and bars to cool off after hectic activities at work. Is the situation the same with the security challenges in Gombe State , Saturday Vanguard in this special report x-rays the situation.

But for the pervasive fear of the unknown, Gombe State , especially the state capital would have always remained a 24-hour business and tourism destination. That was understandably the case in the yore days of social innocence and tranquility which apparently gave rise to a scintillating, care-free night life that almost knew no bounds.

But presently, any attempt to keep late night by anyone would either prompt brushes with the security agents or cause a gargantuan pulsation. Reason: the serial killings that usually occurred at dawns and subsequent curfews have become the people's albatross.

Mr. Chimezie was Batch B Corps member in 2008. He had spent well over 8 months of his service year in Gombe before his redeployment letter to Abuja arrived finally. Even though he reluctantly left for Abuja , he chose to keep his belongings in Gombe and decided to return to town after his passing out. It was to the greatest chagrin of everyone in the lodge.

He told Saturday Vanguard he made it back to Gombe that same day of passing out. An average trip from Abuja to Gombe takes 6 to 7 hours and that was the risk Chimezie took and arrived Gombe by 2 am. One would have thought that Chimezie would sleep in the park, but no, he got a commercial bike that took him home even with a friendly fare.

That explains the good old days in Gombe when trees were play-grounds of the monkeys, when the serenity and the atmosphere were safer and benign, when killings hadn't polluted the air, when light and darkness had no relationship whatsoever, when the known even feared the people, when curfews were still an alien word in social and political lexicons of Gombawas as Gombe people are called.

By its location, Gombe is strategically positioned in the centre of North – Eastern hemisphere . States like Bauchi, Yobe, Borno, Admawa and Taraba flanked Gombe, thereby giving it both business and tourist advantage. Besides, the people, mixed in their religions lived friendly with one another.

The state was carved out Bauchi State by General Sani Abacha's regime in 1996 and therefore every infrastructure appears new and attractive. Interestingly, the previous administration of Alhaji Mohammad Goje built an Airport that has continued to attract air travelers in their numbers from neighbouring states and beyond. There is also a good network of motor-able roads in the metropolis and its environs.

Again, the smallness of the area helps to give some security sense to everyone. But to say the least, all that, even though the infrastructures physically exist, may have vanished in the subconscious of most people prompting caution which has so much amplified itself in the state.

In retrospection, Gombe's first fire of baptism that instilled huge fire in most "night crawlers" was actually the dawn attack on a secluded Deeper Life Church at Nassarawo area of the metropolis in the early days of January this year. Gunmen attacked the church during active worship and killed over 10 persons while several others were seriously wounded.

And almost in quick succession, a similar scenario also played out on Gombe Divisional police Station. The Explosion that ensued razed down the building. Lives were also lost in the melee. This is besides the news of wanton killings of some persons in some eateries and drinking bars months ago.

...people dancing at a night club Expectedly, the State government and the Police often imposed curfews on the wake of these attacks as a measure to curb and forestall further attacks. Obviously, the curfews, sometimes dusk to dawn would naturally bar people from even going to the market let alone patronizing the bars at nights. Even when the situation improved, one would have noticed that most drinkers and club freaks had taken precautions. Indeed, all these had helped to kill night life in Gombe.

But then, there is one place in Gombe that is always alive at night no matter the state of insecurity and other occasional social breaches. It is popularly called the Mammy Market, strategically located in the Army Barracks. For any one who may wish to "indulge", the Mammy Market is the destination.

It is usually so because the heavy presence of soldiers puts the peoples mind at rest. At least, everyone would expect that whatever eventuality, supposedly, that may break out anywhere in the town won't affect the market. Eateries, bars, relaxation centers of all kinds exist there. But then, the scenario at the barracks does not paint the picture of extremity. In fact, enquiries revealed that there is control, vigilance and surveillance at the place to prevent any mishap.

Meanwhile, times are changing. The serenity is gradually becoming humane again. The state government during the commencement of the Ramadan Fasting recently, lifted the ban on commercial motorcycles and the curfew which has been in place for some time now, got extended to 12 am from 6 am, meaning that night life itself has also got an extension.

While the situation holds, Saturday Vanguard made a spectacular observation: There is high level religious tolerance in Gombe State . That one does not eat a particular meat does not mean one should constitute impediment to another who eats. And the man who eats or drinks does not take it to the extreme to constitute public nuisance. To such people, temperance is the watchword even as every one expects that the yore days won't be long to come back in the state.

...Night life still booms at Enugu

By Tony Edike, Enugu

For those that enjoy night outings, Enugu is a suitable place for them.  There are a good number of places where one can hangout at night and have a feel of the hospitality that the city offers.  But at the same time, there are areas where one could not comfortably spend sometime at night owing to the activities of miscreants.

Restaurants and joints within such areas as Coal Camp, Uwani, Achara Layout, Abakpa and Awkunanaw are deemed not very safe for the big boys in town because of reports of incessant robbery attacks at such spots.

Besides, the presence of the middle class at such places is seen as a threat to bourgeoisies,  who would want to keep late nights with friends and have a feel of what the city offers.  Hence, happening places like New Haven, parts of Independence Layout, Presidential Road, Asata and Ogui New Layout have remained the happening places in town where night crawlers usually spend hours with friends drinking, partying and clubbing.

Within the densely populated Ogui New Layout, Asata, Achara Layout, Uwani, Coal Camp and Abakpa and Awkunanaw, most eateries, drinking joints and restaurants are shut down as early as 7pm for fear of being attacked by hoodlums who normally operate on fast-moving motorbikes.

To stem the tide, the Enugu State government recently banned the operation of the motorcycles within the state capital both at day and night. This has gone a long way in sanitizing the city of criminals who hitherto forced people into their rooms in the early hours of the night as if they were observing self-imposed curfew.

Most sit outs in Enugu operate daily and entertain guests till the late hours of the night, but most nightclubs  in Enugu run on weekends particularly Fridays and Saturdays and many of them witness influx of guests. 

The popular spots where people hang out at night include the Shoprite Mall, which has become the hottest spot at night,  Roban Stores Mall, Nike Lake Resort, New Berries Park, Blue island Sit-out (Blue Island Hotel), Villa Toscana Sit-out (Villa Toscana Hotel), Neocourt pool Side & Bar (neocourt Hotel), Cube 10, 8 Hours sit-out, Feelinn station, Zeez Resturant & Garden, Nza Street Bush Bar, the NUJ Press Centre and Crown Guest House among others.

On the other hand, nightclubs that are regarded as popular choices in the city are Afro Lounge, 380 Night Club, Grand Rivera Night Club, Bar Code Night Club, Grand Cave Night Club and Villa Toscana Night Club all located within New Haven and Independence Layout. It is interesting to note that the present administration of Governor Sullivan Chime created conducive environment for night life in the capital city.

The government's commitment towards enhancing the security of the state, the provision of good roads, taxicabs and street lights which have given the capital city a facelift are some of the measures that have given the residents  confidence to keep late night unlike what obtained under previous regimes. As a result, Enugu has become a place of celebration where people hang out at wine bars and joints, drink, eat and have fun with friends and family.

People work in the day and at night move to joints for a rest. Hotels in the city are also said to be having appreciable bookings especially during weekends.  An hotelier at a popular hotel located along Chime Avenue said that unless guests make advance bookings before the weekend, it is usually difficult to secure accommodation in any of the hotels within that area by just walking in.

Some other joints, where African dishes like Isi-Ewu, Ugba, Nkwobi, Pepper soup and African salad are served with palm wine are also enjoying bumper sales within New Haven, parts of Asata, Uwani, Abakpa and Independence Layout lately, as they now operate and close late at night owing to improved security.

The provision of 700 taxis by the government has also enhanced easy movement of people at night as some of the operators maintain presence on the roads 24 hours.

Although operators in the tourism sector are making enough economic gains from the increasing activities at night, the number of "Good evening girls" loitering around Otigba junction, Ogui junction and Bissalla road  are now on the increase as the atmosphere appears very conducive for them to hawk their own "wares".

The presence of the intercourse workers had been a source of concern to some residents who believe that such immoral acts were not good enough for the image of the state.  Those who spoke anonymously cited the recent arrest of over 52 prostitutes by Lagos State government, which has vowed to sanitize the city. They called on the state government to do likewise.

The coal city, which is regarded as the home for all Igbos from different states in the South East and South-South, has continued to play host to both residents and visitors with minimal discomfort and many believe that the state capital is indeed worth living in.

...In Benin City, it's always a weekend groove

By Simon Ebebulem

Benin City the ancient capital of Edo state has always been known as a bubbling city from time immemorial. Night life in the city is quite enticing that people leave the neighboring Delta state to come down and unwind, particularly during weekends.

In the early 70s night clubs like Talk of the Town, City Bell, Mr A, Central Hotel, were the talk of the town then. Musicians then such as Sir Victor Uwaifo, Patrick Idahosa, Mochikobay, made night crawlers savour what Benin then was known for. No wonder then, night crawlers from Lagos, Warri and Sapele always come down to the city to enjoy their weekends.

The City then was very peaceful and people enjoyed lots of fun and any one who has been following the life style of the people of the state, will know that Edo people are fun loving people. However, the spate of crime affected night life in the city prior to the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, but the administration has made frantic efforts to ensure that it is restored.

Edo state has the largest concentration of hotels, inns and guest houses in any part of Nigeria. On Boundary road, in the Government Reservation Area (GRA) alone, there are over forty of such establishments where girls and women of easy virtue ply their trade both day and night.

We have nothing less than seven higher institutions in the state and every evening, girls from these institutions visit the major joints in the city to have fun with their male counterparts. In Benin City, we have popular night clubs and joints like Timeout, Carwash, Asotime, Hipnotics Club, Hexagon night club, Nova night club, Joevil and several others.

In addition, the city also boasts of the Oba Ovaranwen square, where the Oshiomhole's administration erected one of the most beautiful water fountains in the country. Young men and women converge at night to enjoy themselves in the area which is also beautified with gardens.

Night life in Benin City was also boosted with the erection of street lights by the state government in the entire city. Areas such as the Gani Fawehenmi Layout, Ihenyen road and others have been lit up and that has boosted the night life in these areas.

These are areas regarded as a low class area but with the beautification of the area , it was observed that youths apart from enjoying movements till about 4am in the morning, children in these areas can play ball at nights. Though a lot of the oil companies are not located here in Benin City, but a lot of people still have the cash to hang out at nights because even though the state is regarded as a civil service state, a lot of Benin sons and daughters reside abroad.

Therefore, they always come back with either their fiancées or girl friends to come and relax in the ancient city. But unlike cities like Port Harcourt where you have strip tease/noond clubs, there are no such clubs in Benin City but you have several of them with live bands where the dancers entertain their guests with different dance steps. People enjoy such groove in areas such Joevil, Motel Benin at weekends, Time Out and others.

Though the issue of kidnapping and robbery made it impossible for people to stay out late as they would wish to stay, but that aspect was taken care of by the state government when they purchased almost hundred Hilux vans with a view to ensure security in Benin City and its environs at nights.

With the presence of both police officers and soldiers in some of the night clubs and bars, people feel safer in Benin City at nights. Some of the busiest areas in Benin City at night include the Government Reservation Areas (GRA) where the big boys prefer to hand out due to the fact that it seems to be more secured. Other areas include Ekenwa, Textile Mill, Ugbowo and New Lagos Roads.

One unique thing in the city is that there are several beautiful girls majority of them from different higher institutions in the state who do what is called "runs" to survive. These set of girls are not like the kind of calls girls you find in the streets, waiting for customers that will take them home. They are well organized, beautiful and intelligent.

However, their pay per night is more than the usual call girls in town. The big guys prefer to hang out with these set of girls because majority of them are so intelligent and from rich homes that you will wonder what they are looking for.

Patra, a student of one of the institutions  said"most times it is because of money. Some of us want money to look good in school and get our basic needs. You know that in school, some times it is the number of big guys you know that matters.

Again, some people hang out for the fun of it not really about money but in that process they either get worse or better. So it is just the society. Some of these girls you feel are from rich homes; their parents don't really give them that kind money you think. So they have to augment what they gave them at home".

Asked why they are described as runs girls, Patra asserted that "na runs na. Runs girls can travel to Port Harcourt, to Abuja from Benin and also come back to attend lectures in Benin sharp sharp. It is generally to help ourselves by meeting up with the big girls on campus".

However, Saturday Vanguard observed that the state may be regarded as a civil services state but the people have enough to spend to enjoy themselves most evenings.

In almost every family in Benin City, you hardly found any one without some body living abroad and for them enjoyment is more paramount. Benin City is a very peaceful place for relaxation when you want to compare it with other cities in the country and night life here is ever flourishing.

Vanguard Nigeria