Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi
TOURISM;
By Fred Iwenjora
Before now,
I only drove past the long stretch of pine woodlands in between the famous WAEC
bus stop and Okpara Square stretching into the Enugu government house grounds Bisala
Road without a bother whenever I visit Enugu. One night, I noticed a mighty sculpture
of a lion at the well lit park and shuddered.
So when a
friend asked me to join him to Enugu Unity Park for a meeting the next Sunday,
it was a rattle of excitement on my entire body which couldn’t be bottled in. I
itched to see that lion which I saw glowing at night more clearly and closely.
I could not wait to see first hand what other things that were tucked into that
parcel of land which is cut short by a gigantic court building at the other
side.
I urge you
to very kindly follow me as we tour Enugu Unity Park, magnificient leisure and
tourism edifice gradually earning Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi fame and positive
commendations.
In fact,
Enugu Unity Park is indeed being seen by many as one of Governor Ifeanyichukwu
Ugwuanyi’s unsung legacies. And considering the number of visitors milling
around, into and out of the park during the weekends using the two lanes of the
stretch of road around Okpara square as car park, those thinking like this seem
to be correct in their thoughts.
As you enter
the gates of the park and look left of its well paved lawns, a white plaque
beholds you and reads; Developed and commissioned by Governor of Enugu state Rt.
Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on 29 May, 2021. This is as if warning you to make no
mistakes about the fact of who built it.
First there
was an instant confusion on my part as to where to begin my tour. I wondered
whether to start from under the belly of the lion, the most popular area of the
park which stares at every visitor inviting photo shoots or to walk the lawns.
I ended up starting with a round and about tour through the lawns reaching all
the ends of the park. It was a real seaty tour. It struck me that one might get
lost to his companions in this expansive park. And I did get lost to my friends
and it required a phone call to track me.
I watched
with delight how families after families, friends after friends, groups after
groups, lovers after lovers took spots inside the expansive park to relax in
leisure without the bowels of the park complaining. It basically swallowed the
thousands of visitors and seemingly wiped its mouth clean showing no traces. The space was ample enough to contain all and
the visitors where streaming in and filing out.
The shed of
dry pine leaves and foliage caused by the humid end of year weather created a
surreal feeling.
Noteworthy are
art works of mounmental proportions literring the park, the biggest being the two
storey Roaring Lion on concrete created by ace sculptor, Okay Ikenegbu of the
Institute of Management and Technology Enugu.
I gathered
that the Roaring Lion houses two fully airconditioned conference halls and it looms
large where ever you were in and around the park.
Other
notable sculptures decorating the Unity Park are the soccer tapping elephant, the
crowing cockrel as well as other abstract sculpts.
I also saw
artificial streams, grooves and waterways.
Children
were also put into great consideration as there is a children - only section with
swings and all forms of jangrover where parents filled all
the spaces.
I saw many
groups in meeting sessions, families and friends in lunch session while some lovers
found slightly flower- hooded corners for romantic chats in the free- entry
leisure atmosphere littered with concrete seats and benches.
Investigation
revealed that the park closes to the public at 6pm daily.
Again it was
gathered that visitors were allowed to bring along their food to share but not alcohol.
It is interesting
to note that while at the park savoring and marveling at the initiative of
providing such a free leisure atmosphere for the people on that Sunday evening,
a siren blared. The sound of the siren grew louder and closer and behold it was
the man they call Gburugburu sauntering into the park to see the extent of its
continuous development. He was clad in his usual white.
I gathered
that this visit is regular and unscheduled since the park was comissioned.
These
spontenous visits no doubt underscore the interest he has in the leisure
project.
A source
also intimated that that the park has not yet reached the level of the vision
Gov Ugwuanyi envisaged for it which is reason for his regular visits.
The
governor’s entry interrupted a meeting I was setting up with star actress Ndidi
Obi of Nneka the pretty Serpent fame, head of the management team overseeing
the park.
However I
left with many lessons which include that; Enugu people itch for family outing
leisure spaces as has always been from time when street parks dotted the city
like; Ngwo park, Onwudiwe park both in
Uwani, Ejindu Park at Coal camp, Osadebe street park, Edward Nnaji park in New
Haven and Abakpa, Murtala Mohammed Park around Aria road/new market and the
famous Polo park which has now become Shoprite.
I also
learnt that Governor Ugwuanyi is determined and tenacious when it comes to
pursuing things after his heart albeit very subtley. And one of the things
after his heart is art, entertainmnet and leisure.
I learnt
that if not his tenacity, he may not have invested in many artists and
sculptors to produce the many giant artworks for installation in this park or
the artisans employed forever in the on going constructions and maintenance.
If
Gburugburu were not tenacious and determined, he may not have created time to
visit the project every now and then to see progress of work.
Again Gburugburu
is a lover of humanity whom caged by
government bureucracy and red tapism wants to meet with the people every now
and then and the Enugu Unity Park affords him an escape and the opportunity to
see the people and interact even if it was once a week.
As the journey to 2023 when he vacates office trudges
on and the era of counting achievements and blessings come and if some of his
other achievements don’t count , the Enugu Unity Park may just be one of Gov
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s everlasting legacies which if maintained by coming administrations
would speak for him always. It resonates with the people.
By Fred
Iwenjora
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