Residents of  Keffi  in
Nasarawa yesterday thronged recreational parks and other social gardens to celebrate the Ed el-Kabir festival.
Our correspondent who went round the town, reports that gaily dressed residents of all ages moved round town in search of recreation spots.
The proprietor of Peace Garden, Keffi, Hajia Maryam Sani, told newsmen that she was enjoying high patronage from fun seekers.
Sani said the garden had a massive picnic space as well as facilities for various games which had attracted many families.
“Parents are bringing in their children to play and enjoy our services. They find the patronage satisfactory and we are expecting more families,” she said.
Another parent, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed, said he had always brought his children to the park during festivities as the garden was peaceful and well organised.
A fruits vendor, Mr Nasir Musa, said he brought his fruits to the garden because he believed that patronage would be high as a result of the celebration.
“Most families are here with foods and drinks, but none is here with fruits,” he observed.
A photographer, Mr Joseph Ibrahim, expressed surprise at the upsurge in patronage by customers anxious to keep memories of the celebration.
Similarly at the Keffi Motor Park, commuter cars and buses were busy conveying passengers to various destinations within and outside the state.
A passenger, Alhaji Suliman Ago, also said that his family preferred to celebrate with members of his extended family in Lafia.
Another passenger travelling to Lafia, Hajia Safia Bello, said that there were better recreation parks for her children there.
She, however, appealed to the government and private investors to provide more recreation centres in all local government areas to minimise the long journeys in search of such facilities during festivities.
“If we had enough parks in Keffi, we will avoid unnecessary movements of children to other destinations to seek for recreation centres,” she said.
Another passenger, Hajia Gogo Salau, a widow, however, said that she was on her way to Lafia to attend a Sallah party for widows and orphans.
Some other Muslims resident in Tamah and Laminga, both suburbs of Keffi, said they were marking a low profile festival.
One of them, Malam Tanimu Iliya, a lecturer at the Nasarawa Polytechnic, said that although workers’ salaries were paid, one would have to spend wisely.
“The next salary will be in November, so we have to minimise expenditures,” he pointed out.
Another resident, Mrs Rukaya Mohammed, said that with the recent crises around the state, there was no need for elaborate celebrations.