By Osita Chidoka
In 2009 I started using Jabi park for my daily exercise. It was pristine and quiet. Maintenace was non-existent. Gradually other exercise buffs joined and a small community developed. We contributed and paid hired hands to keep the park clean.
As Minister, I continued my daily routine at the park and got the FCT Minister to instruct the parks and recreation department to take over the cleaning of the park. The park blossomed. People from all parts of Abuja thronged to the park to exercise, play football, badminton, make friends or just socialise.
Exercise groups employed young trainers. Sports clothes sellers sprung up as juice and light food vendors made brisk sales. Jabi lake became the village square, a park and an oasis in a city in search of its soul.
On Saturdays, like today, the park is filled to the brim. I met a friend who came from Asokoro and another from Maitama as options for parks are limited.
On Sallah days, a crowd of northern young Muslims always gather at Jabi park to celebrate Sallah. Colourfully dressed, I was amazed at the crowd of Fulani young lads in their hot combed or permed hair and almost feminine touch to their appearance. I took pictures and observed their joy and sense of community.
I met a small group of two young ladies and a boy and asked if I could take their picture. They agreed happily. As I was about to leave the older of the girls asked me to take a single shot of her. I did. She asked I send it to her via Whatsapp.
As we exchanged numbers she told me her number was barred due to non-submission of NIN, but she can receive WhatsApp messages. Her English was poor but her boldness and enthusiasm were infectious. I obliged her and we parted ways but she struck me as someone that could contribute more to society if she had an education.
I am rarely in Abuja during Christmas and Easter and do not know how the Park is used during those festivities. I believe it would be full of activities.
Jabi park is a metaphor for poor governance. How many of our elected leaders consider parks as a necessary infrastructure for development. After the colonial planned parts of our cities, no effort has been made to integrate parks and green areas in our cities.
Most of our leaders are bushmen who dont see value in recreation and greening our cities. Jabi park is here today because Nasir El-Rufai reclaimed Abuja’s green areas.
As we elect new Governors next year, avoid bushmen and natives who think cities are only about roads and concrete. The pictures here show that the poor, rich, young and old need spaces to ventilate, recreate and rejuvenate. In the process, some find earning opportunities like the vendors of jabi park.
At the end of the day, we all want the same things despite our ethnic and religious differences. People want to earn a living, marry, raise a family and be happy. The idea of government is to make this dream and aspiration possible. It is that simple.
• Chidoka is a former Minister of Aviation.