Eba, Egusi soup my best Christmas meal – Ogbonna

Super Falcons defender Glory Ogbonna, who plays for Turkish side ALG Spor Kulubu, shares memories of celebrating Christmas growing up, in this interview with 'TANA AIYEJINA

How do you hope to celebrate Christmas in Turkey?

First of all, congratulations on the season to the management and staff of PUNCH Sports Extra, it's still Christmas but for me here in Turkey, it doesn't look like not at Christmas because our league is still running. After our match against Besiktas last week, we had a six-day break and resumed training on Saturday. This is the life I have chosen and I miss celebrating Christmas in Nigeria. It's a wonderful time to be home.

Growing up, how did you celebrate Christmas in Nigeria?

Growing up and celebrating Christmas in Nigeria was wonderful. We celebrated together, went to church together, and did so many other things with family and friends.

What was your favorite meal on Christmas Day?

We ate rice normally, but Christmas seemed like a special time to enjoy rice and meat, so honestly, I miss all of that.

At Christmas too, I'm a big fan of Eba, I like to eat Eba. When we had occasions to rejoice, there was always rice and all kinds of food, but I still went there for my special delicacy, which is Eba and Egusi soup . So I will also say that my special food for Christmas is Eba and Egusi soup, despite the fact that there would be a lot of food, I would always choose what I liked to eat.

Did your parents take you to amusement parks or party at home?

Growing up, the only place my dad normally took us for Christmas was church. In our church we usually have our harvests and it is marked every December 25th. So, if I was at home, it would have been wonderful because I would participate in church activities.

Child, how did you feel the first time you saw Santa Claus? Were you scared?

(Laughs) My parents usually wouldn't take us to see Santa Claus and stuff for me to talk about. My childhood was not like that.

Can you remember the prettiest Christmas dress your parents bought you?

Our parents bought us new clothes every Christmas when we were children. They just went ahead and shopped for us and you know the joy that comes with when your parents go shopping for you. And there were certain caps with patterns that I won't forget, the round caps, the "Sister Mary" caps. My dad and mom bought all of this for us, including costumes for my younger brother. I will not forget. So, all these moments remain special and unforgettable for me. Too bad I can't relive those moments. Gone are the days when my parents bought me clothes. Now I'm the one buying for them and I'm glad I did. They gave birth to us, they trained us to grow up responsibly and it is now our responsibility to take good care of them. I am grateful to God for being at this level to take care of my family and I am happy to do so. Even though I'm not at home, I have done everything necessary to ensure that my people have a wonderful holiday in my absence. Christmas is a time of celebration and I wish all Nigerians a happy holiday.

Now that you're abroad, do you miss home at Christmas?

Yes, I miss my people because it's the time when everyone reunites with their families and celebrates. It's how we've seen it since childhood but I miss it this time because I'm not at home. It was wonderful. I also miss the party in terms of merriment, you know meat, rice, Eba and Egusi and all, as I said earlier.

You recently made gifts on social networks. Was it because of the Christmas holidays?

I usually do giveaways on Facebook, it's not the first time. In November I did one and I also did in early December. It's just my little way of reaching out. It's not that I have it all, but no matter how little, I just love reaching out to people.

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