Kunle Adelabu
Usually, the roundabout of the Ikorodu Terminal of the Nigerian Port Authority, Ebute market/Ikorodu Ferry Terminal are some of the major gathering points for Christians in Ikorodu division during the Easter Monday celebration which is the commemoration of the ascension of Jesus Christ to heaven, but the place was virtually desolated when our reporter visited to observe happenings at the centres during Easter Monday.
Our reporter, who visited the fun spot called Ebute (riverbank) around 2pm and stayed around till 3.30pm, did not see any sign of convergence by people of Christian faith as the COVID – 19 lockdown continue to bite harder on residents.
The Lagos State Recreational Park in between the Port Authority and Ipakodo Police Station was also deserted.
It was the same scenario when our reporter visited clubs, bars and fun spots in Igbogbo, Ikorodu and Ipakodo areas of Ikorodu Division. The spots, which are usually very busy and attract massive crowd of fun seekers during festive period, were also shadow of themselves as residents stayed away due to the lockdown.
Places like Domino, The Place, Magrellos, Sweet Sensation, Chicken Republic, F1 Bar, Domino Pizza, Lady Burger, KD eatery, Café (Falcoms) Bar, Lakers and Cluster were either deserted, had low patrons or under lock and key when our reporter visited.
Most of the major towns in the division were still littered with security checkpoints while there were none at some points.
At Domino which usually experience high volume of patronages from residents from different parts of the division during festive day and other days, our reporter only found about four cars parked at the frontage of the multi-million-naira investment located along the Ayangbure road in Ikorodu.
Also, there was no sign of people at the popular and classy fun spot called ‘The Place’ which has been fun hub for middle and highly placed residents in Ikorodu.
At Magrellos, a popular fast food company also located on Ayangbure road in Ikorodu, only one car was parked at the premises while the entire interior section was empty. It was the same scenario at the Sweet Sensation branch at Ojubode in Ikorodu.
The newly established Chicken Republic at Ojogbe in Ikorodu was also deserted. Our reporter sighted a customer exiting the eatery with a pack when our reporter visited the place in the afternoon of Easter Monday.
F1 Bar, which is located along Beach road, Ikorodu and popular for attracting massive crowd of merry-makers on daily basis, was under lock and key when THE IMPACT visited.
At Domino Pizza located at Dele Kuti junction in Ipakodo, some patrons were sighted on the queue at the frontage of the eatery as they were being allowed into the eatery in batches in compliance with the social distancing directive.
Lady Burger at Police Post in Ipakodo was also deserted as the shadow of the lockdown could be felt around its premises.
The KD eatery along N.B.C Road in Ipakodo was also empty as its large facility was deserted with no single car parked within its premises.
Popular Café (now Falcoms Bar and Lounge) in Ipakodo was also under lock and key when our reporter visited.
The owner of the Café, Ogbeni Bashir Fatola told THE IMPACT that it has been a great downturn for business owners in Ikorodu, especially for those in the hotel and hospitality businesses since the advent of the Coronavirus.
He stated that business owners have started taken stock of losses but unfortunately could not ascertain the actual losses since the restriction is still in force.
He pledged to continue to support the government’s directives on COVID-19 even though it’s a bitter pill to swallow for him and other business owners.
It was same situation at Lakers, Cluster club and other fun spots visited by our reporter on Easter Monday.
Businesses in Ikorodu and other parts of the state have continued to record losses due to the lockdown order by the government in an effort to contain the spread of the deadly and ravaging Coronaviirus.
