Agodi Gardens brings Ibadan back to life

Entrance to the resort

From YINKA FABOWALE, Ibadan

  
It is one of the beautiful features of the modern face Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has given the state capital, Ibadan.

From a derelict, weedy, marshy and abandoned grove, old Agodi Botanical Garden has come astir and a much sought-after haunt for fun-seekers, students and the middle class in the sprawling city. Thanks to a general facelift by the Ajimobi administration and a Nigerian firm, AM and Sea Ltd, with interests in the United Kingdom and South Africa.

Located at the foot of Mokola Hill, where Premier Hotel stands imposing, the garden which used to be a tourist resort with a wealth of floral resources, had suffered decades of neglect, as it was overgrown with weeds and thickets. Its facilities were also dilapidated while the grounds remained unkempt, a situation which affected its patronage by members of the public.

But that was until two years ago, when the state government in partnership with AM and Sea Ltd, embarked on its rehabilitation. The result is an aesthetic showpiece of well- landscaped ambience with a generous dose of preserved nature that opened to the public last Christmas season.

Re-christened Agodi Resort and Conferences, the multi-billion Naira facility on Parliament Road, nudging the Dandaru Lake offers a comforting recreational harbour, with ever-green shrubs, decades-old exotic trees, flapping wings of colourful birds and the gentle lapping of water waves on the bank of the lake.

To these have been added other modern features including  swimming pools, play areas for kids with mounts, inflated balloons and toys, a zoo, walkways, bar and eatery. There are also toilets, each of which is equipped with modern accessories suitable for all ages. 

A wooden bridge over the Dandaru lake

To sustain its greenery, a lake that surrounds the park supplies all-year-round water to plants and life in the garden, and somewhere farther to the boundary over-looking a large natural pond that supplies the city with fish, a dam-like pool flourishes to the excitement of members of the boat club. Here, three red inflatable rafts bubble to and fro on the water when not in use.

Remarkably, the exotic tropical trees in the garden have been preserved to provide shade for visitors and home for the birds. Plaques providing information about the various species stand next to these trees. The Almond trees, indigenous to the high forest and the Kadan trees found mainly in wetland to lowland of African forests, with their aroma extending 100 meters, reflect the splendour of nature. The fig tree, for instance, tourists are made to know, attracts thousands of bats from across the continent because of its fruits.

Also at the park are Lilac tree, which was used in 1958 to preserve Ibadan Rivers and streams, and the age-long Dracaena tree commonly found in high forest.

A walkway into the park

Up north of the entrance is the swimming pool with spiraling water slides. Apart from the zoo, it is the most guided section of the park. Its seclusion is marked by high wire fence and a gate. Operators of the pools forbid children without swimming jacket in it and non-swimmers are not allowed access. However, there are life guards watching swimmers in both pools in case help is needed to rescue someone.

One of the swimming pools

 The zoo, set completely under tall trees, is yet to be equipped with many animals. However, it can boast of two lions in the largest cage. Two little crocodiles can be seen in a shallow pond while at the middle of the zoo, there are cages where monkeys are kept.

Although the Agodi Gardens has existed for many decades, it has never attracted so many tourists as it is now, thanks to the. 

The beauty of the park is not limited to the day. At night, the garden is illuminated by Christmas lights, although, it was learnt that these will give way to neon light when Christmas season is over.

 At the opening ceremony, Governor Ajimobi said he was motivated to invest in the park by what he saw in other countries. His words: “I was just passing by one day and I asked what was in the bush. In fact it was a forest by then. What struck me was that the place was so desolate. The animals were hungry. They were not well fed. Everything was just bad. Then ideas started flowing into my mind. I know there are places like this in South Africa, Dubai and everywhere. Why can't we make ours so? I thought.”

Managing Director of JD Capital, Mr John Darlington, said his company agreed to work with the government based on Ajimobi's vision to restore the state's old glory and monuments of which Agodi Garden is one. “This is where JD Capital comes in to partner through the PPP structure to support the governor and people of Oyo State to bring the dream and vision to fruition. The first step in this rebirth process is the rebranding and creation of a brand identity for the garden. This has commenced with the renaming of Agodi Gardens to “Agodi Resort and Conferences”, he said.

Managing Director AM and Sea Ltd Mr. Adegbemisola Adio-Moses, said in executing further works; his firm had entered into partnership with a South African development group to ensure that Ajimobi's vision for the garden is accomplished.

Since its launch in December, the recreation centre has attracted thousands of families, groups and individuals – young and old, who kept trooping in to savour the delight it has to offer.

A woman, Mrs. Folasade Ayeni, who came with her children, said it was a great joy to have the gardens back in the new form, saying the city residents had in the past been restricted to limited options of recreation centres to visit during festive time. “We have had only the U.I Zoological Gardens, especially since the Trans Amusement Park also packed up some years ago. Visiting the same place year in-year out can be boring, you’ll agree”, she told SWM.

An all night concert featuring D’Banj, Yemi Alade, Sir Shina Peters, P-Square and other top artistes including comedians also held there on December 30, last year.

Also, students and groups now hold get-together-parties on the grounds. One of such was organized by students of the Library and Information Studies Department, University of Ibadan on January 10, this year.

Managed by JD Capital in a Public Private Partnership arrangement with the Oyo State government, the garden has reclaimed its lost glory, it is expected that N500m will be generated at the park each year.
For the old Agodi Gardens, life has ideed returned with greater vibrancy as it sheds its old rusty garb.