Kaduna’s Kofar Gamji Park: Dead or alive?

The crowd which is mostly made of young men and women, families and singles all of whom throng to Kofar Gamji for various reasons, fuse at the arena.
Kofar Gamji also known as Hassan Usman Katsina Park, is the first amusement park built in the heart of the Kaduna metropolis along the Shooting Range New Extension next to the Kaduna Police College and is indeed the most visited place during celebrations such as Valentine’s Day, Christmas, Sallah and New Year.
The premises which started off as a garden during colonial rule and northern administrations, occupies a landmass of about 7, 000 square metres and has beautiful greenery with several trees, a small mangrove, orchards and small islands with majestic water flowing from the River Kaduna.
The park is divided into two by the river with a foot bridge built by Lord Frederick Lugard connecting them together. Until the bridge was constructed there was no way of linking both halves except by canoe.
The park, Daily Trust gathered, was not meant to generate revenue when it was established in 1914; it was simply a recreation centre where the colonial masters and their families used to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Unfortunately, since the park was established, it only received a little face-lift during the Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi administration almost 10 years ago in spite of its frequent and enormous use by residents and visitors.
Kofar Gamji park has a wide lawn for relaxation, a mini zoo housing animals including a lion, two hyena’s, four monkeys, two ostriches, a tortoise, peacocks, a children’s playground that is managed by a private company and a terrace for couples who chose to stroll hand-in-hand, also known as the Lord Lugard foot bridge. The bridge is also a popular backdrop for wedding couples who love to have their photos taken there.
The scenic view of the Kaduna River, which cuts across the park, is a pleasure to behold even though, the river often over flows its banks during the raining season – forcing the management of the park to close it until the water level recedes.
A tourism expert pointed out that if the Kaduna State government can dredge the River Kaduna of all the mini islands it has, it will go a long way in addressing the issue of the river overflowing its banks.
“As you can see, the river has a lot of mini islands occupying space where water should occupy thereby causing flood when the water has nowhere to go, so if the state government can dredge the river so that there will be free flow of water, it will go a long way in addressing that issue,” He said.
“If that is done, it will also aid the park to treat the water and engage in a lot of water sporting activities, including paddle boats, mini sail boats as well as water skiing which will in the long run, attract more people thereby  generating more revenue for the state,” he added.
Kofar Gamji is also host to CD World Play Club, where comedians, dancers and other acts entertain thereby drawing a large crowd of people, making the whole experience worthwhile.
Regular visitors to the park normally pay between N50 and N100 to enter though some visitors do not mind paying as much as between N200 and N500 for the added value of an afternoon with their favourite artistes.
A lot of upcoming artistes also use the busy park to showcase their talents at children’s parties which are common at the place, families use the serene environment to celebrate their children’s birthday parties as well as have fun with the family – something, a lot of Nigerians do not often engage in.
With the performance stage tucked into the far-end of the park, visitors have the privilege of taking a good view of the invigorating scenario as the stomping sounds of music draw them deeper into the belly of the park.
Some Kaduna residents specifically go to Kofar Gamji for such entertainment experiences because, according to them, the music allows them to forget about their day to day activities. Others go there to hang out with their partners as well as connect with people.
Maryam Yakubu, who was tucked in one corner of the park with her companion when our correspondent visited, said they came to the park to spend time together.
“We decided to come here to spend time together since my parents will not let me spend time with him as they believe I am not ready for marriage, that is why we usually come here and spend some time with each other out of the eyes of my parents and other family members,” she said.
Isyaku Mohammed said he was there with the prospect of connecting with somebody.
“I am a bachelor and this park is my usual spot on weekends, I come here just to while away time as well as have some fun. There are single ladies that come here also looking for guys, so we kind of keep ourselves company and link up, with no strings attached,” he said laughing.
Kofar Gamji is a place known to bond Christians and Muslims. In the past, before the state was split into two, people from the two major religions used to come together to celebrate and rub minds with one another irrespective of tribe, religion or political affiliation.
A mother of four, Zainab Mamman said she tries to bring her children to the park twice in a month as she said it is the only place a family can actually spend time together.
“It has become like a family tradition for me and if I do not bring them, I will not hear the end of the matter. At least I can bring them here and while they are enjoying some of the rides I can rest on the grassy area of the park,” she said.
Mamman expressed worry over the state of the park, stating that: “No innovation has been added to it for the over 10 years that I have been coming here. But I was so excited when I came one fateful day to see a mini zoo put in place. My children were so excited and did not want to leave. I think this innovation is very welcome and I believe there are better days ahead for the park.”
Mr. Yohanna Bulus said: “My dream for this park is for it to one day become a world class park where both local and international tourists will flood the place because of the various attractions it carries.”
He added that: “I want to wake up one day and see that a five-star hotel as well as a proper zoo has been put in place at Gamji Park where international tourists can patronise because probably they are the only ones who will be able to afford it. Let Gamji become a resort where families can spend a few days away from their troubles in their homes and in life in general.
“It is the responsibility of the government to provide green areas for the citizenry, where they can come and relax so that they can be more productive at work and contribute their quota adequately to the development of the state and the country at large.”
Bulus emphasised that: “Tourism is a veritable tool for poverty alleviation if the proper steps are taken to address the issues. With tourism, Nigeria can surmount all its challenges related to poverty.
 “Most of our tourist attractions are located in the rural areas, if the government provides an enabling environment by providing accessibility to those places, investors will be interested and the more the investors, the more attractions will be drawn to the places which will improve the lives of the inhabits of the communities thereby reducing rural-urban migration.”
He added that: “Tourism brings intermarriages and when intermarriages happen they prevent conflicts because of course in-laws cannot fight one another and when there is no conflict, the world will be a better place and that is why the government should not play with the potentials of tourism in any society.”