The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Garden

  • THE GARDEN

    Hello children! Mother’s Day is here again, how do you plan to show your dear mother that you love her?

    5 hints. (Things to do on Mother’s Day)

    a.      Write a beautiful letter to your mum.

    b.            Make a lovely card for your mum.

    c.             Save up some money and buy a gift for your mum. (e.g a bracelet, a wristwatch, a body spray, a simple frame, a Mother’s Day mug, an earring, a ribbon etc).

    d.            If you can fix a meal, surprise her with a breakfast in bed on a weekend before she wakes.

    e.            Help her clean all her shoes and arrange them neatly.

  • New vista for Ibadan zoological garden

    New vista for Ibadan zoological garden

    The Zoological Garden of the University of Ibadan has found its spark again after about two decades of inactivity, reports BISI OLADELE

    The fire is back to the zoo. So is the fun and happiness experienced by tourists to theZoological Garden of the University of Ibadan.

    It was the first zoological garden in the city of Ibadan. Tucked within the enclave of the University College, which later transformed to the University of Ibadan (UI), The UI Zoo, as it is fondly called, was popular among, not only members of the university community, but also among residents of the city and visitors.

    Established as a unit in the Department of Zoology of the university in 1948, the garden became a fully-fledged zoological garden in 1974.

    In the 80s, anyone on a long visit to Ibadan dreamt of the UI Zoo as a not-to-miss tourist centre. With wide range of animals kept in their near natural habitats, good maintenance of the animals and other facilities in the garden, trained tour guides and interesting animals, visits to the UI Zoo left fond memories for tourists.

    It was a zoological garden per excellence in all ramifications, at least, going by the standards of that period. It was then managed by an expert, Mr Bob Golden, a Briton.

    From the mid-70s to the late 80s, the UI Zoo held ace as the foremost garden in Ibadan and, perhaps, the entire Southwest region.

    The interesting lifestyle of two gorillas–Haruna and Imade–was a major attraction for crowds of tourists at the time. The animals provided enough fun for visitors with the way they related. The two animals were viewed as a thrilling couple by regular visitors.

    The Director of the zoo, Dr Morenikeji Olajumoke, said of the two gorillas: “Haruna was our very lovely gorilla. So also was Imade. They were brought into the zoo by Mr Bob Golden, the first director of UI Zoo. He has since returned to the United Kingdom (UK).

    “He was here in the 60s and 70s. The gorillas were cute but they grew old and died. Haruna died in 1995 while Imade died in 2006.

    The two animals had a great impact on the zoo because Bob Golden had trained them. They swam and did many things together. They were so lively. These made them attract so much attention. They were very interesting animals to watch. So, many people came to watch them.

    “The two have undergone taxidermy (embalming) and are displayed at the Educational Unit of the zoo.”

    But the tide changed for the garden in the 1990s as poor maintenance and failure to upgrade the animals and facilities made it slide into oblivion. Haruna and Imade had died, the elephant was no more and facilities became outmoded, overused and dilapidated.

    However, the garden’s fortunes have, again been turned around for good. Things are better now than even the starting period.

    With over 100 species of animals, double the number of staff, partnership with agencies, individuals and increasing investments, UI Zoological Garden has succeeded in restoring its glory. It is currently charting the way forward in the industry.

    On the journey to the present stage, Dr Olajumoke explained that the transformation was a product of the determination of the university to do things right and restore the glory of the garden in line with the institution’s position as a premier university in Nigeria.

    According to her, Golden did his very best and left a good legacy. The onus to sustain his team’s achievements and build on the successes was taken by the current management, a development that has been buoyed by philanthropists, corporate organisations and employment of more experts to manage the garden.

    Her words: “Our patronage has increased three times in the last three to four years. That is because of the tremendous transformation of the zoo. Considering its state five years ago, you will be surprised at what the zoo looks like now. It has now been blown open, totally changed. Since inception, we have never had it this good.

    “Structurally, we have three times the number of animal enclosures. All the enclosures are enriched. We make them simulate (make it look like the natural habitat).

    “We have enriched the cages; make them look like educational units that are providing a lot of information about the animals. Children can stay in the reptile house now and spend hours.

    “We have also the audio programme where everything about each reptile is explained in audible voice in four native languages and English. You are educated about the reptiles and other species all over the world.

    “We now have a children zoo where we keep little animals like rabbits, pocines and civet cats. We were not able to keep the cats before this transformation. But they can now survive. The habitat is suitable for them now. They are doing so well.

    “Apart from that, we have upgraded our ape enclosure. It is enriched. Chimpanzees now have swings, toys and food plates, among other things. They are for the education of the animals.

    “We also have a new administrative block. It houses the education unit and the library. So many researchers have been visiting the zoo and the library. We have all information and the animals on the computer. All these bring more students and researchers to us from all over the country and other parts of the world.

    “We have also upgraded our bird line and aviary. We have more exotic birds such as the white peacocks, budgerigar birds, several parrots, including vulture. Some of the birds are now laying eggs and hatching because of the natural habitat. The conservation of animals is being enhanced by the transformation.

    “We also have the carnivorous animals, including spotted and striped hyena, jackals and lions. We have herbivorous animals that include giraffes and antelopes. We are proud of about 100 species of animals even though we are not yet where we aim to be.”

     

    How it happened

    “I am the most excited person about what is going on. When I assumed duty, my vision was to upgrade it to international standards. It was like the driving force for me. I met people, contacted companies, preaching the need for this upgrading. Fortunately, everyone I spoke to responded. We conceived painting. I spoke with Seven Up Bottling Company which did painting for us.

    “Coca-Cola and Seven Up Bottling Company helped in the setting up of the buttery to cater for refreshment of people.

    “Nigerian Breweries PLC has been donating feed for our animals monthly.

    One of my major donors is Pastor Enoch Adeboye. He sent N5 million and we started the education aspect and the transformation.

    “When he came again, I told him about a new architectural design for the zoo.

    He, again, gave N20 million for the architecture.

    The third time he came, he gave another N20 million. He is not just a man of God, he loves animals and children. We need to leave something for the children unborn.

    “People also donated animals. Some of our animals in Africa are endangered.

    I’m so grateful to God for the positive ways people are responding.

    We did fencing, created ramp walkways, especially for disabled people to make it workable. We also made another gate to bring in big animals. I’m very happy with the project now.

    “We have programmes for Children’s Day celebration, have Valentine’s Day, games; quiz competition, drawing competition and so on among schools. It is a lot of hard work.

    “Staff number has doubled, including graduates. We now have four graduate curators looking after the zoo. The last four years have been transformational.

    “Apart from those, we now have a wildlife clinic/laboratory where the animals are treated.”

     

    Plan for the future

    “The zoo is already expanding. We are bringing in more animals and we are also working on more collaboration with other zoos abroad. We are also looking forward to a very robust conservation programme which we have already started.

    Patronage is increasing and I believe that the zoo will be able to sustain itself.

  • Port Harcourt: Garden City where business and pleasure cohabit

    Port Harcourt: Garden City where business and pleasure cohabit

    Port Harcourt, the capital city of Rivers State otherwise called the Garden City, has in the last few years witnessed a lot of physical development and aesthetic upgrades. In this piece, SHOLA O’NEIL and BOLAJI OGUNDELE write about a city that has continued to grow in population and demands

    THE Garden City of Port Harcourt, is perhaps one of the cities in the South-South region where business and pleasure mix most easily. The older folk (those who lived there before and shortly after the Nigerian civil war) refer to it as Pitakwa (or Pota); the locals just call it Potakot. Whichever you choose, you cannot be wrong in this wonderful city of endless possibilities and opportunities.

    It is a city of many parts; each with its own unique history, landscape and denizens. “The parts of the city known as Town, Lagos, Diobu, and so on are the original Port Harcourt, from where the town started. You will also notice that those are the areas close to the waterfront and the port areas. The houses there are old and most of them are built without fence because in their times, there was no need for high security fencing. The city was peaceful,” James Nwokedi, an itinerant Igbo trader at the popular Mile 1 flyover told our reporter.

    But times have changed and the city has changed with it. The GRA (Government Reservation Area) Phase 1 (Old GRA) houses the government quarters and some prominent Rivers families. The architectural designs of their houses and style sometimes tell of their histories or what some call old money. There are also Phases 2 and 3 GRAs with massive structures and architectural masterpieces owned by politicians, oil magnates and top flying business executives.

    The Diobu area of the city is arguably the most planned enclave of the city, if not the entire Niger Delta region. Dominated mostly by the Igbo and other immigrants, this area, like Town (peopled by the Kalabaris), comprise of ancient apartment buildings in unfenced plot on well-linked network of roads.

    Port Harcourt is also the undisputable oil capital of Nigeria; a position enhanced by the presence of dozens of oil and services companies  from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to Nigerian Agip Oil Company, Schlumberger, WEAFRI and others that fled Warri, Delta State in the heat of the Warri crisis found bases in Port Harcourt.

    The relocation of such companies have attracted greener pastures seekers from all over the country to the city peopled mostly by the Ikwerre and a motley of other groups from within and outside the state.

    With the growth in opportunities, the population of the Garden City (put at about 1.38 million in the 2006 census) swelled. The increase in population is fuelling a property boom that has opened up and linked the major Rumus (enclaves) of the city. The city has now extended from Emohua, headquarters of the local council through Choba, Mgbuoba into Rumuokuta, Rumuokoro, Rumuola and others, and turning it into a megacity.

    The blessings of its status as a fast-growing cosmopolitan city come with the headache of knotty traffic jams that sometimes stretch for several miles and span hours. Driving through Port Harcourt can be quite chaotic and unpredictable. There are some junctions in the city that seem jinxed to always remain locked, defying the efforts and wisdom of traffic marshals thereby creating unpleasant driving experiences for road users, especially private car owners whose miseries are compounded by bus drivers and their taxi counterparts. The state government has since abolished the use of okada (motorcycles) and keke (tricycles) in the metropolis.

    Governor Rotimi Amaechi, like his successor, has also made several efforts to tackle the perennial traffic problem in the city. A number of projects have been undertaken to free the roads, including blocking U-turn points at bottle-neck junctions. At some other intersections, more human traffic controls are introduced to augment either the traffic lights or already existing number of traffic marshals. In other places, the critical junctions get flyovers. Eleme Junction and the Agip Junction Roundabout are two examples of massive efforts at restoring sanity to the roads.

    The current administration, at inception, embarked on decisive urban renewal efforts, leading to the widening of existing main accesses like the Ikwerre Road, which has been dualised with wide walkways, lying atop one of the most complex network of gigantic underground drains that empty into surrounding canals and creeks. Rumuola, NTA, Ada George and Elekahia roads, among others, have also been taken from the old to the new; dualised and widened with sidewalks.

    But perhaps the most revolutionary transportation scheme is the multibillion naira Mono Rail project, which was undertaken by the Amaechi administration. When completed, the light rail is expected to convey thousands of passengers daily. Experts believe that it would help reduce the number of vehicles on the road drastically and by extension alleviate traffic bottlenecks.

    Besides roads, new model primary schools and ultramodern healthcare centres have been built across the city. Those built close to the main roads accentuate the environment, printing some sort of serenity and beauty you only see in facilities belonging to multinational oil companies. At the Emenike Junction, in the Mile One area, along Ikwerre Road, St. Mary Primary School is outstanding with its lush green and impressive structures. This sight is replicated in different parts of the city.

    The Garden City is a place to be when you think of relishing fun and good life. Being a very busy place, with an ever growing population, including those of varieties of foreign nationals, Port Harcourt is replete with fun spots: hangouts, hotels, nightclubs, cinemas and so on. You will find them all over the city.

    There was, however, a time in the life of the city when a social dislocation, in the form of cultism or gangsterism, almost robbed it of the peace and fun it had always been known for, but the Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi administration made the restoration of peace and order its first task when he assumed office in 2007. This restored normal life to the city, including a robust and bustling fun and recreation.

    The Abacha Road area of the city in the GRA Phase 2, parades an endless array of hotels, hangouts and club houses; Bourgain Villa, Aldgate Hotel, Casablanca, Aristo House, Elkan Terraces are a few of the places to be on Abacha Road. In some other parts of the phases of the new GRA you have places like Genesis Complex, which boasts of a state-of-the-art cinema and other facilities.

    Along Aba/Port Harcourt Expressway, the iconic Hotel Presidential defines the skyline with its unique architectural design and beautiful landscape. Just a few meters away on Tombia Street, the panoramic view of the Polo Club with its verdure lawns backing the Hotel Meridien and Golden Tulip hotels on the background captivates.

    “I could sit down here for hours just taking in the view; it is a wonderful city, this Port Harcourt,” Joy Nweke, a fashion designer who moved into the city in a few years ago told our reporter.

    “I fell in love with the city at first sight and since then, I find it difficult to leave. The life is fast and some people would tell you it is expensive. But if you cut you coat according to your cloth, you won’t have any problem,” Nweke said with a smile.

    The Silverbird Cinema is just a stone’s throw to the Old GRA, where you see the state’s version of the Three-Arm Zone; the Government House/state secretariat, the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex and the Judiciary Complex are located here. You can hardly exhaust touring the city in a hurry.

    Perhaps it should be mentioned here that administrations in the current republic have devoted time and effort to restoring those features of the oil city, which bequeathed the status and appellation of the ‘Garden City’ on it, hence the heavy investments into reviving and resuscitating its greens, as well as its hygiene culture.

    The Dr. Peter Odili administration started a programme of planting special green areas and parks at strategic spots, to serve the dual purposes of recreation points and landscape beautification. Samples of this abound across the city; adjacent the Port Harcourt Air Force Base, along Aba Road; there is the large space bordering the Port Harcourt Barracks, also along Aba Road; there are a few under the various flyovers dotting the city’s space.

    Along most of the major roads, especially the recently dualised ones, the Amaechi administration planted trees, most of which are still growing. The move would not only beautify the city, but is a forward-thinking one that could reduce carbon dioxide because a tree is said to be able to absorb as much as 48lb of the pollutant in a year.

    In the past few years, the city has shed the derogatory tag of ‘garbage city’, a corruption of the Garden City appellation. The unpleasant tag was engendered by the sordid sanitation culture of the people of the city. In those days, mountains of refuse became regular sights in open places, like on major roads, in different parts of the city, coupled with the disorganised management of markets, most of which were occupying between half and one-third of the major roads.

    Today, the services of labourers saddled with the responsibility of sweeping the roads and clearing refuse from the roads everyday have now become recognizable as both drivers and pedestrians on Port Harcourt roads now have a semblance of real road.

  • Marriage: A garden of treasures (2)

    Dear Reader,

    Welcome to this week’s edition of Family Forum. Last week, I started a teaching revealing the treasures in the marriage garden as designed by God Himself. I know that you have already started enjoying the treasures in your marriage in Jesus’ name.

    This week, we shall be examining more of these treasures and some tools needed for cultivating the marriage garden.

    THE RIVER

    God said in Genesis 2:10: …And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted and became into four heads. Another treasure found in the garden planted by God is the river. Rivers are of tremendous benefit to man. From them, you get water for drinking, bathing and washing purposes. Rivers can also be used for irrigation, making all-year-round farming possible.

    Water in Bible terms also represents the presence of the Holy Spirit (John 7:38). Lack of water can cause death by thirst. Don’t die of thirst in your marriage, when there are lots of thirst-quenching rivers in it. It is thirst in marriage that makes couples prefer staying away from home, rather than enjoying their homes with their families.

    I know of a man who prefers to stay back in the office after closing hours, rather than go home. It is not because he has work to do, but to keep away from home and have some peace. The home atmosphere was not what it ought to be. You can purpose to make the atmosphere in your home the best for the Holy Spirit, as well as for your spouse and children.

    To the glory of God, my husband and I receive a lot of inspiration from the Holy Spirit, right inside our home. More often than not, a greater percentage of instructions we have received for our ministry to date, were received right at home. Make the atmosphere of your home a conducive one.

    The river also can be used to generate power in the natural. In marriage, this implies that all-round power, spiritually, physically, materially, financially and socially is additional treasure. Ecclesiastes 4:9 says: Two are better than one… In addition, inside rivers are precious treasures, such as mineral deposits that can yield prosperity when properly traded with. That is why Isaiah 60:5 says: … The abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee. When you handle marriage in the scriptural way, you are bound to prosper in all areas of your life.

    Tapping the best that the marriage garden has to offer, demands a total obedience to God’s commandments concerning marriage. He has also made available several tools, for the man and woman to best accomplish the task of cultivating and keeping their marriage gardens. The most important tool given to the man, as a vital instrument for digging out the treasures in marriage, is the tool of love. God, Himself, used this tool in John 3:13 and commanded that man uses the same tool in Ephesians 5:25. The only type of love that can stand the test of time and dig out the treasures in the garden, is the God-kind of love, the unconditional love. There is no woman who does not respond to love. Even if she does not respond at first, keep loving her and very soon you will be amazed at the warmth and closeness it will generate.

    For the woman, the tool of submission has been given to her by God to bring out the treasures in her marriage garden (Ephesians 5:22). Her effective use of this tool will bring the treasures of unity, genuine care, strength and covering upon her from the marriage garden. A rebellious and non-submissive woman is alone. She will have to struggle to take decisions on her own and to see to their execution. Such a woman has removed her covering and can expect unprecedented attacks.

    Complete obedience to the tools given by God and a practical use of them, will guarantee your enjoyment of the treasures in your garden. This testimony is a proof of this fact: “When I was ready for marriage, I noticed that some things were working against me, but I was not a serious Christian then.

    However, when I dedicated my life fully to Jesus Christ in 1992, it became obvious that I lacked wisdom, counsel and I was emotionally immature. My obedience to the different ministrations I have received here has made my life and marriage to have meaning and direction.

    Now my marriage is established and I am free from all manner of oppressions of the wicked. My family has increased remarkably and I now apply myself to the wisdom of God that He has imparted on me, by reason of the teachings and ministrations I get here!”

    You too can rededicate your life by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord, as this will enable you to understand and obey His commandments with ease. If you will like to dedicate your life to Jesus Christ, please say this prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am sinner. I cannot help myself. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your blood. Deliver me form sin and Satan to serve the living God. I believe You died for me and on the third day, You rose that I might be justified. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your kingdom.

    Congratulations, you are now born again! I believe that you will begin to experience the reality of the price that Jesus paid for your sins at Calvary. All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name!

    Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through: E-mail: faithdavid@yahoo.com, faithdavid2013@gmail.com Tel. No: 08141320204; 07026385437; 07094254102

    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Making Marriage Work, Marriage Covenant, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

     

  • Becan Garden begins operation

    The Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola has been urged to beef up security, improve power supply and open more intra-community roads in the state.

    If this is done, it will further enhance tourism in Lagos while also encouraging free movement of Lagosians across the state without fear of arrest, intimidation, kidnapping or killing.

    Chairman, Becan Garden/Suites,Okota, Chief Donatus Nwanfor, made this appeal at the formal opening of the hotel located at Ariyo Akinloye , Jakande Estate, Isolo, penultimate Saturday.

    Commending Governor Fashola on good leadership in the state, especially in the area infrastructural development, Chief Nwanfor said Ariyo Akinloye where the hotel is located is an eyesore, adding that if opened up, it would be more accessible to all prospective lovers of tourism, thereby increasing government’s revenue base.

    He said: “I would like to call on the government of Lagos State to come to our aid by accelerating the road construction which is very expedient for a hotel-tourism venture to thrive. Security is another problem. Without it, clients will not feel safe within the area. Sustainable power supply is also a factor in tourism management.”

    In the presence of friends, guests, hotel owners and traditional singers, Nwafor said Becan Gardens and Suites had come to take its rightful place in the tourism industry with the one of the best services to clients.

    Assuring all that the new tourist centre would bring peace and success in Okota community and its environs, Nwafor further said the management of the hotel would cooperate with the people and the public in ensuring best customer service.

    Earlier, supervisor of Becan Garden, Miss Obidike Onyinye, said the official opening was to show appreciation to God for the completion of the project and to “bring to public notice the kind of world-class quality services that we provide trough our good facilities.”

    According to her, each room is equipped with a flat screen TV with free channels, refrigerator, internet wireless, bath tub, and well-stocked mini bar.

    Other facilities are: word desk, complimentary daily newspaper and centralized heating air conditioning, among others.

    “You don’t need to travel overseas before you can have a wonderful vacation. Give us a trial. I am proud to say that a trial will convince you. Our vision is to be a leading continental hotel. We guarantee your privacy and safety, Oyinye added.

  • As the Garden City turns 100…

    This year will mark the centenary of the city of Port-Harcourt. Thus, in terms of seniority, the city is older than the contraption called Nigeria which will ‘mark’ its own 100 years of amalgamation next year. Many commentators have written about the propriety of celebrating Nigeria’s centenary. What is there to celebrate about the forceful union of the Southern and Northern parts of the country by British colonialists purely for administrative purposes without considering the wishes and desires of the indigenes of the land, they have wondered. They might have a point considering some of the problems this forced ‘marriage’ have caused which we are still battling with nearly a hundred years after it was consummated.

    Anyway, this piece is not about Lord Lugard’s creation that has become a problem to its people and the world at large. This is about a lovely city which was born out of necessity and has today become something those who conceived it can be proud of. A little background info and history will not go amiss here.

    Unlike most other major towns and cities in the country that developed from hamlets and villages founded by the local indigenous population, Port-Harcourt was a purpose-built creation of the then British colonial administration in the early part of the 20th century.

    After coal was discovered in Enugu in 1909, the administration then needed a port to export the product to Europe. Diobu or Iguocha, an area originally inhabited by the Ikwerre people, was chosen and by 1913, construction of a port town began. Seeking a more cosmopolitan name for the new town, Lord Lugard, the then Governor-General of Nigeria renamed it Port Harcourt in 1913, after Lewis Vernon Harcourt the then Secretary of State for the Colonies.

    From such small beginnings, Port-Harcourt has today grown into one of the most vibrant and bustling cities in the country. I spent some of my childhood and formative years in the city and I can tell you it was one of the best places in the country to grow up in. Back then, it was a peaceful, quiet and neat place full of trees and other greenery hence the nickname, ‘Garden city’.

    Today, the city has lost some of its innocence and it’s suffering from a malaise afflicting many major cities and towns in the country: overcrowding and overstretched infrastructure. Due to population explosion and perhaps, poor planning most of the roads are a motorist’s nightmare because of the heavy traffic jams which is nearly at par with that of Lagos. Housing too is over stretched thus making accommodation expensive and not for the poor.

    The administration of Governor Chibuike Amaechi, in trying to resolve some of these problems announced plans in 2009 for the creation of a new city to be called the Greater Port-Harcourt City. It’s a laudable plan which when implemented, will help decongest the city centre and improve the quality of life of the residents.

    Indeed, this is an idea that needs to be emulated by other states particularly heavily populated ones like Lagos. Lagos is long overdue for decongestion because of its huge population which has placed enormous strain on the available infrastructure. Thus, the creation of satellite towns that will reduce pressure on the city is something that needs to be considered as a matter of urgency as the population keeps growing each day.

    In its 100 years of existence, the city of Port-Harcourt has witnessed steady growth from a small colonial port to a bustling, commercial centre and the hub of the nation’s vital oil industry. It is one centenary celebration that a lot of people like me who have fond memories of the city will not begrudge. This is unlike that of Nigeria’s centenary which the Federal Government is planning to mark in a big way. To me, it’s a waste of funds and an exercise in futility. The government should focus on improving the lot of Nigerians rather than celebrating colonialism and the subjugation of our forefathers who fell to the British military might.

    Or it could build new towns and cities for with vision and proper planning, the country would have had more purpose-built cities like PH and Abuja. But that dream has been impossible due to the rapacious looting of public funds by those in positions of authority and their cohorts who cart away our resources to Europe and the U.S and lately Dubai and Asia-the newest destinations for the country’s looters and money-launderers.