Unlike Umuahia, the Abia state capital, which literally shots down at 9pm every night, Abakaliki, the centre point of political administration in neighbouring Abia state, is the direct opposite. A night out in the historical but evolving new city is not only enchanting, compelling, buzzing, heaving, all at once, it is also a truly golden experience.
That perhaps explains why those familiar with the city describe as the Paradise of the South East. As this reporter found out, Abakiliki at night, as it is obviously in day time, seems very unaware of or unaffected by the plethora of security breaches in the South East in the general sense, the same thing that constantly pushes the pulse of would-be visitors to Mt Kilimajaro heights. Life goes on in the city as if the idea of insecurity is a totally strange phenomenon, particularly as night beckons.
Arriving Abakaliki from the Enugu end is an experience in warmth. Starkly, it runs in contrast to the notorious don’t-mess-around welcome address offered by, for instance, the country’s state of Aquatic Splendour. That is the first feeling one gets as one enters the city from the city gate.
Yet, moving through the fun-in-sight decorated overhead bridge that saves inward vehicular commuters from the often stifling and entangling traffic gridlocks on the connecting roads below, first time visitors are particularly opened to a bubbling city that pays serious attention to its aesthetics. Much of that becomes truly self-evident as the city welcomes the night.
At night, first time visitor in love with outdoors never fail to quickly find a city suffused in inviting neon lights, thousands of them that speak so much volume about the town as one of non-stop fun and entertainment that has no room for boredom. Truth is, it is very impossible for outdoor lovers not to be tuned to the pulsating and inviting presence of well-appointed relaxation spots, clubs, hotels, bars, lounges, name them. Truly, embracing the the night in the city is rather natural because entertainment and pleasure points, for all categories are everywhere, often time, all night long-weekend’s or week days.
Obviously enarmoured by Abakaliki’s enchanting aura, this reporter, alongside two other colleagues, could not resist the tempting invitation extended by our host for a short but exciting tour of the sizzling and buzzing city. It was enough to have a taste of something to remember, one that ended with everyone wishing it never would end. It began with a breath taking short drive, which culminated in the bosom of one of the city’s dazzling entertainment spots, the sizzling ‘Real Xclusive.’
Assuredly, Abakaliki thrives with hordes of beautiful fun and entertainment spots. For all their intents and purposes, they can run with any other of their peers anywhere across the country without losing any breath. It is an experience one needs to go through to believe.
Real Xclusive, for instance, stands tall, ably fit to compete with any other of its kind, in Lagos, Port Harcourt or the Federal Capital Territory, FCT,or anywhere else in the country. Uniquely, its selling points are many. One that stands out is that while a buzzing bar or lounge on a weekend is no big deal, particularly because it is the right time for fun seekers, night crawlers and the hung-ho Thank-God-it’s-a-Friday protagonists, ready to unwind after a long week of stress, finding one on a Tuesday night, when most people are basically preoccupied with the thought of next day’s commitment at the work place, is something worth wondering about. Real Xclusive was on a high octave capacity on this Tuesday night, filled to capacity without hosting any personalized or specially organized event. That was the trigger for this reporter’s curiosity. And the reasons for it also encapsulate why night out in Abakiliki is pure gold-it has no room for any sleeping concept.
This reporter’s curiosity met with more explanation as to why the particular outfit was, as one of the guests put it, always filled to capacity. Beyond its ambience that combines well with exciting entertainment bouquets, it comes high in top notch service quality, drinking out-lounges spread out in open rectangular cubicles that allow visual freedom over everything that is going on, and among others, an entire outside sitting space covered in green carpet grass that seems to remind everyone of the role of nature in matters relating to complete relaxation. Of course, these were all self-evident.
Certainly, this reporter was rightly informed that Real Xclusive is just one of the hordes of hangouts that make Abakaliki night heave, buzz and thrive endlessly. That certainly is no ruse. However, as the yuletide unfolds, it is one city that holds the entertainment ace for fun and entertainment seekers fortunately to be in Ebonyi State. A trip to feel the pulse of Abakaliki’s inviting night life will be worth the while. Its pure gold.
