Date: 11-12-22

Bolaji Israel.
In Nigeria, the first day of December ushers in the advent of the festive season which runs through the month progressively till early January when businesses and official duties resume fully again. December, in the world’s most populous black nation, is characterised, with fascinating scenery, by shops, streets, offices and homes getting decorated with twinkling lights and dazzling ornaments.
The month also welcomes religious festivities of Christmas, the biggest celebration for christians globally which takes place just a week before the New Year rolls in amidst celebration unmatched by any other from the rest of the year. The season is generally enveloped by festive concerts, feasts, celebrations, carnivals, musical shows, colourful decorations and family reunions.
For almost everyone, it’s a time to merry with friends and family, attend celebratory events, give and accept gifts, enjoy entertainment and feast together. December is such a big deal in Nigeria and the people know just how to savour the moments well. Interestingly, the celebration is not limited as it cuts across all classes and shades irrespective of social status, religion, personality or age – the rich, poor, young, old, cool and radicals. It’s usually a time everyone earnestly awaits for fun, merrymaking and relaxation, mentally and physically. In fact, to get ample time for merry making, employees in Nigeria push hard in offices to get annual leave approvals for the period.
Another key, exciting hallmark of the festive season is the homecoming visits of Nigerians who have travelled abroad for greener pastures, a trend popularly called ‘Japa’ in local parlance. It’s a common belief that the Nigerian spirit is a hustling one, and no distance is too large to scare a Nigerian from a potential source of income, be it the journey from the remotest village to Lagos, or from there to the farthest corners of the world. The December period thus presents an opportunity to reunite families.
The returnees constitute an essential ‘life of the party’ as they hit the country ready to visit places, mingle and bond, to the admiration and embrace of peers and family members. It’s always a great period for the returnees and their loved ones to create great memories, spending time, going round town for great entertainment and having fun together.
Their presence also commands attention and adds colour to village and town hall meetings, community projects and social gatherings, especially wedding parties, as well as other family functions deliberately fixed around the season to court the beloved presence of the “I just got backs†who bask endlessly in the euphoria.
First Bank of Nigeria Limited as a company with the mantra of being woven into the fabrics of society has continued to demonstrate its understanding of the uniqueness and essence of the festive season with its consistent support for same through the ‘December Is a vybe’ campaign.
Unfortunately, the Nigerian economy has struggled sluggishly for some time with attendant harsh impact on individual and household finances and sliding purchasing power. This gets worsened by the galloping inflation, increasing cost of living and the sky rocketing price of premium motor spirits (PMS) locally called petrol.
Yet, the average Nigerian craves for great fun and quality entertainment during the Yuletide season. So, the December festivities come as added weight with tickets as high as N70K for A-list musical acts like Asake, Kizz Daniel, Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid and others.
To throw off the weight, the December Is a vybe campaign offers free VIP tickets from FirstBank to Nigerians for access to coveted A-list musical concerts, opera, comedy shows, stage plays, dance and other genres of entertainment throughout the festive season to assure maximum pleasure.
Folake Ani-Mumuney, FirstBank Global Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications said, the premier financial institution which has operated in Nigeria for over 125 years deliberately orchestrated the campaign to create platforms for Nigerians at home and those returning from abroad to enjoy entertainment, bond well and enjoy the best of the festive season together after a period of separation in pursuit of excellence and success.
“Through ‘December Is a vybe’, FirstBank has always brought Nigerians the best exciting, fun-filled, memorable experience in December with the sponsorship of concerts, creative arts; food Fiesta; fashion etc and it’s set again with a bang in 2022 ready to enable people relive the experience and live their dreams, †she stated.
She noted that the 2022 edition offers fresh opportunities and platforms for yet another memorable Homecoming experience this December for Nigerians visiting from abroad; wedding celebrants; friends and family reunions. FirstBank ‘December Is a vybe’ offers the returnees a good opportunity to reunite and enjoy premium entertainment with family and friends.
She explained: “The programme has not slowed down since it kicked off. We supported Waka the Musical in 2017 which was also taken to Abuja in 2018. We gave Nigerians premium access to Davido show amongst others in 2017, Burna Boy in 2018, Future in 2019, Davido and Burna in 2021 and for 2022, we will start with VIP access to Kizz Daniel’s show, followed by many more.
The foremost banking giant has in recent years made December quite memorable. From the exciting Alternative Sound 4.0, held at Terra Culture on 5 December, 2019 to the memorable Cardi B live in Lagos by Livespot Concert on 7 December 2019 and the unforgettable “An Evening with FBNHoldings†held on 13 December, 2019 to the pleasure overload of Island Block Party at Oniru Lagos on 14 December, lucky customers and followers of the Bank’s social media handles were given free tickets to have loads of fun!
Also, in the bouquet of fun extravaganza was Teni – The Billionaire Experience musical concert held at Eko Hotel on Monday, 16 December 2019 which had many thrilled to the finest of tunes by the Billionaire crooner and other guest artistes present.
The annual Nativeland music festival at Muri Okunola Park was another fun spot which has since its inauguration in 2016, featured breathtaking performances by A-list artistes.
Youth and teenage fashionistas were not left out; as with Street Souk, they had a feel of current trends and creativity in the fashion industry. The event held on 18 December 2019. For those keen on getting the best and latest designs, wears and fabrics in fashion, the African Fashion Week Nigeria was another port of call. The event which held 20 – 21 December, 2019 attracted leading players in the fashion industry and deepened the fashion appetite and interest of participants.
Building into Christmas was Flytime Rhythm Unplugged, which started on 20 December at the Eko Hotel and Suites. The 5-day music festival had performances from leading artistes in the country. Olamide, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, MI, Ycee, Patoranking, Mayorkun, Teni, Zlatan, Joeboy, Fireboy, B Red, Tolani, Jeff Akoh, Oluwadamilola thrilled fun lovers to the best of charts topping tunes not just in Nigeria but the continent. On the wheels of steel was DJ Neptune, DJ Consequence, DJ Obi, and DJ Cuppy.
Kizz Daniel’s Toro concert on 26 December 2019 and Tu Face’s musical show on 28 December built up to the wrap-up of the list of December events with Future, the American rap music sensational performance live in Lagos.
The Future Live in Concert held on 29 December 2019 at the Eko hotel. The 80s boy band, New Edition performance at the FlyTime Music Festival in Lagos was also electrifying with Burna Boy Live, Davido Live and many more in action!
For plays, the December Issavybe train featured sponsorships of Moremi and Oba Eshugbayi plays which focused on highlighted history of Lagos: the struggle over water tax imposed by the British on the people of Lagos and the expulsion of Oba Esugbayi, who stood against tax, to Abeokuta. The play was from the stable of Joseph Edgar of the iconic Duke of Shomolu Production.
Two lucky fans, Tina Ediale and Timilehin Anibaba, amongst others got to see their favourite star Davido Live in Concert; another winner, Azeez Animashaun couldn’t believe his luck when he got a VIP Rhythm Unplugged ticket while some got special treat watching ace actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde as Esumirin in Moremi The Musical. Social media followers also scored invitation to parties including Island Block Party, All Black Everything; conferences Golas Grit Grind 2.0; festivals: Native Land, Palmwine Festival; and pop-up sales: Mente de Moda.â€
For the 2022 campaign, FirstBank says it will start the festive season with VIP access to rave of the moment, Kizz Daniel’s show. Kizz is so loved right now and many Nigerians especially women can’t seem to get enough of his monster hit, Cough (Odoyewu). He also has many songs that will make his show a delight any day, including Buga, Lie, No Wahala, Oshe, Yeba, One Ticket, Woju, Laye, Jaho, Sofa and many others. With First Bank, December promises to be an awesome experience!
To participate, all that is required is to just follow FirstBank’s social media pages and updates on – Facebook: First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Instagram: @firstbanknigeria and from there get the tickets.
LINKS
- VENO tv: Politics 2027 ELECTION: “THE PANIC IS REAL” — ATIKU Who Is Afraid of Atiku?
- VENO tv: Business Access Bank Plc Appoints Oluseyi Kumapayi as DMD, African Subsidiaries
- VENO TV | FEATURE | ROYAL NEWS Prince Mayowa Aroloye Emerges New Owa-Elect of Idanre Defeats six other contenders as Idanreland prepares to welcome a new traditional ruler after over two years without a substantive monarch.
- EDITORIAL | NOVEMBER 3, 2026 TINUBU KISSES BLACK STONE IN MAKKAH: HISTORY, FAITH AND THE DEBATE OVER NIGERIAN PRESIDENTS Abacha, Buhari and Tinubu: Is History Repeating Itself, or Are Nigerians Reading Too Much Into a Religious Tradition?
- VENO TV | FOREIGN NEWS | NOVEMBER 2, 2026 British Man Completes Round-the-World Walk After 28 Years Former British soldier Karl Bushby covers approximately 50,000 kilometres across four continents, returns home to emotional welcome.
- VENO TV | FOREIGN NEWS King Charles Acknowledges Injustices of Slavery, as Caribbean Nations Demand Reparations British monarch admits historical suffering during Caribbean visit but stops short of formal apology.
- VENO TV: FirstBank Partners Google Pay, Expands Digital Payment Options for Cardholders Bank strengthens digital banking innovation with secure, convenient and contactless payment solutions.
- VENO tv: ISRAEL ELECTION: GADI EISENKOT EMERGES AS NETANYAHU'S MAIN CHALLENGER AS POLLS NEAR CLOSE Former Israeli military chief mounts strong opposition challenge as millions vote in crucial parliamentary election.
- VENO TV | FEATURE AMANYANABO DOKUBO-ASARI MEETS GOV. BAGO, INVITES HIM TO SE DIYE IN BUGUMA
- VENO tv: BUSINESS ACCESS HOLDINGS TRANSFORMS WASTE TYRES INTO SCHOOL SANDALS FOR 10,450 CHILDREN
- VENO TV | FEATURE AMANYANABO DOKUBO-ASARI TAKES ROYAL DIPLOMACY TO IFE, SEEKS HISTORIC CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC ALLIANCE WITH OONI From the Source of Elem Kalabari to the cradle of Yoruba civilisation, the royal visit strengthens inter-kingdom friendship ahead of the December 19 SE DIYE coronation ceremony.
- VENO tv | ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Friday, October 23, 2026 RAYE WINS 2026 MERCURY PRIZE FOR SECOND ALBUM British singer defeats Paul McCartney, Olivia Dean and other top stars to claim prestigious music award.
- VENO tv | FEATURE MY TRIBUTE TO MY DEPARTED HUSBAND: A GALLANT SOLDIER IS GONE A Life of Service, Love, Sacrifice and Enduring Legacy By Morohunmubo Anike Okosun (Mubo Okosun)
- VENO TV OPINION 2027 ELECTION: AJÁ TÓ BÁ GBÉ EGUNGUN S??NU, KÒ LÈ GBÓ! “A DOG WITH A BONE IN ITS MOUTH CANNOT BARK!” When the voices of conscience become silent, who will speak for the suffering masses?
- VENO tv: DA-AMAKIRI TUBO: THE JOURNEY OF AMANYANABO MUJAHID ABUBAKR DOKUBO-ASARI From the Niger Delta struggle to the throne of Elem Kalabari: A life shaped by conviction, sacrifice and service
- VENO tv | FROM THE PULPIT SUNDAY TONIC WITH PASTOR PRINCESS VENISA OJO Popularly known as Omo Oba Jesu FAITH TRIUMPHS IN TROUBLE
- VENO tv: BUSINESS FirstBank Sponsors 2026 Georgian Cup, Reaffirms Commitment to Polo Historic partnership dating back to 1919 celebrates over a century of sporting excellence.
- VENO tv | FEATURE BEFORE SCOOPING FUEL FROM A FALLEN TANKER, WRITE YOUR WILL
- VENO TV: POLITICS GOVERNOR ADELEKE TO PRESIDENT TINUBU: “THE VICTORY HAS COME, THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL” …As Accord Party Chieftain Distances Party Members from Governor's Declaration
- VENO INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE EDITORIAL | POLITICS 14 OCTOBER 2026 TINUBU MUST GO VS TINUBU MUST STAY! Two Conflicting Voices, One Nigeria: What Does This Mean for 2027?
Page 1 of 71 [Next] [Last Page]
08033340285
08155031320
016581259
veno_mag2011@yahoo.com