TGIF is simply an abbreviation for ‘Thank God it’s Friday’; a cliché well known all over the world. Friday is the fifth working day for workers especially for those in offices. TGIF comes with hashtags on social media platforms such as Twitter. There are also phrases coined for Friday such as ‘Fri-yay’; a word used to mark the excitement of the day. All these words are used by people all over the world to relax and free themselves of the busy schedules of the week. It is a day where hustlers too, especially the fun-lovers, set aside to chill and relax. Nigerians are not an exception as we are one of the most fun-loving people on planet earth. Nigerians are spectacular and weird in whatever they do, so is TGIF.
Friday is regarded as half-day in public offices and institutions in the country. Muslims all over the country report to the mosques to observe the Jumaat service. Freedom of worship is one of the civil rights of Nigerians so people are excused from their offices this day, thereby bringing a close to the day’s activities in major offices. This period allows Nigerians to cool their tensions, calm their nerves and look forward to the weekend. TGIF is, therefore, the words on everyone’s lips especially the youths.
Bars, lounges, restaurants, and cinemas are filled up with fun-lovers. It is time to relax with friends, lovers, and families. Partying and clubbing are the highlights of the day in most Nigerian cities. The people turn up more than any other day of the week. The entertainment industry is not left out as the day is marked for concerts, house parties, movie premiere, and hangouts. Nigerian music star Kizz Daniel sang ‘’Everything we do tonight, go follow the night go, and I see you I dodge.’’ That’s just the highlight of Friday nights for Nigerian youths. Those who don’t go out stay indoors and relax with their family; at least there’s no worry for morning rush the next day for the family. It’s just time to have a good time.
The bad side of Fridays in Nigeria is that there are many mentally unstable people at the end of the day. You don’t have to trust drivers on the roads as they must have been high on alcohol and drugs. There are more accidents than any other day as a result of drink-driving. TGIF is also synonymous to a hangover in this part of the world. Since there is no work the next day, people use this as a medium to free themselves of worries. Those who stay indoors are treated to high blazing sounds from churches in the name of ‘Vigil’. No place is surely like Nigeria, we are just one of a kind, deposited in the same territory.
