It was an exciting moment to kickstart the year by honoring the invitation of my friend and colleague for the christening of her adorable baby, Ivan. The event marked the first occasion I attended in 2025, taking place on the very first weekend and first Sunday of the year. Though the location was quite far from my base, I had no choice but to attend, after all, it was a special occasion. Besides, I suspected the event might double as a mini-reunion since I was looking forward to seeing some of my old friends from our days at the higher institution.
Being the first Sunday of the year, I decided to step out in style, rocking my trusted Ankara outfit. It had been ages since I last wore it, but after a careful ironing session, it looked as good as new. However, as I struggled to put it on, I quickly realized that I might have added a little weight over the months. How I managed to outgrow the outfit in a country brimming with daily stress is still a mystery to me! Despite this, the Ankara fit perfectly well, and I took a moment to admire myself in the mirror. “Single man, looking sharp and ready to slay,” I thought with a smile.
Stepping out, I flagged down the first motorcyclist to take me to the location where I’d board a taxi to the event venue. The price he called, however, was outrageous! At that moment, I was reminded that I was still very much in Nigeria, where any increase in fuel prices instantly leads to a hike in transportation costs and hike in the price of other products, yet when fuel prices drop, these same costs refuse to follow suit. With no time to waste and knowing I was running late, I reluctantly paid the fare.
When I reached the taxi park, the fare for my next leg of the journey was nearly triple what we used to pay just months ago. I simply smiled to myself and said, “This event must be attended, and the party jollof must be eaten. No going back!”
Thankfully, the journey was safe, and I arrived at the venue in one piece, although a little late. To my relief, I didn’t miss the dancing segment, which was already in full swing. The atmosphere was filled with joy, laughter, and celebration. Just as I’d hoped, it was indeed a reunion party, and I was thrilled to meet some old friends.
Pictures were definitely on the agenda, so we made sure to capture the moment with plenty of photos. We gisted, laughed, and indulged in the heavenly party rice, which was truly the highlight of the day. Whoever cooked that jollof rice deserves an award!
After the main event, I made time to visit a few friends in the area, exchanging pleasantries and, of course, snapping more pictures with the celebrants. It was such a heartwarming experience. As evening approached, it was time to head back home, get some rest, and prepare for work the following day.
The journey back was just as smooth, and I arrived home safe and sound, grateful for a beautiful day. To the glory of God, the event was a huge success, baby Ivan was blessed, the family was overjoyed, and for me, it was a perfect way to spend the first Sunday and first event of the year.
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