COVID-19: As tourism suffers, Lufasi Park uplifts nature conservation as safe haven

By Ebere Chibuzor

Over three decades ago, Desmond Majekodunmi acquired 20 hectares of land along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, near May Fair and Fara Park Estate, Ajah Lagos, with the goal of transforming it from a heavily forested area into an agro forestry farm and later into a private nature park, popularly known as LUFASI, an acronym for Lekki Urban Forestry and Animal Sanctuary Initiative.

But the Lufasi Nature Park Chief Gardener Majek as he is known had just had success creating what the nature conservation society believes is one of the most bio-diverse protected areas in Lagos.

He pointed out that “Lufasi is already a complete entity; one of the things we are promoting in Lufasi  Nature park is to protect nature. The only additions will be including more flower gardens and more trees because it’s a nature park. The whole purpose is to get people into enjoying the wonderful benefits of associating with nature. The benefits are very good health for your body, mind and soul.”

He also said, “The park is a very safe environment and it also allows people to appreciate the importance of protecting nature because if we do not protect nature, nature cannot protect us. Nature is our life support system. Everything we need to stay alive comes from nature; so we need to protect nature. This is why all the scriptures of the major religions are very clear that mankind is meant to be a good steward and care for the creation.”

Security is paramount as the local communities such as the Bashorun, the Abijoh and the Idiagbon Alayande are always happy and very proud of them. The police send their patrols regularly to see around. They have never encountered any ugly incident.

You might have heard stories, or have visited the beaches, festivals, monuments and even parks but the experience in Lufasi is quite unique and nothing prevents one from visiting this eco-tourism destination. The most famous area is the Ekki Forest with its red iron wood which breathes out large amount of the free oxygen that the tourists enjoy so much as they refresh themselves.

The other two most visited sites are the Lakes Moses and Nora which are accessed through winding pathways which tourists would always want to explore whilst getting some leisurely exercise walk. Majekodunmi named the two lakes in remembrance of his parents.

A very interesting thing about Lake Nora is the walkway that leads to the Love Zone. There, several fun seekers have proposed to each other and even later had their engagements and weddings in the park. It is a very romantic spot that really deserves to be there.

Then there is the relaxation place with the famous African Spurred Tortoise, named Mama T who always takes things slow and easy.

According to the General Manager Evans Basil she has lived for more than a century. It is also home for Terena palm trees and the wild local palm trees and if you’re lucky, you can get some very fresh palm wine.

They also have the Mona monkey called Tina and the African civet cat, stripped black on a white background.

The facilities offer a platform of playing activities for the children, sporting arena and the education centre its distinctive vibes, all grounded in a lovely park with some of the freshest air in Lagos.

There are also many resident birds of Lufasi such as song birds, kites and vultures as well as squirrels, butterflies, rabbits, goats, horses, donkeys and several other little creatures.

On a regular basis, you could also come across some of the veterans in the entertainment industry such as Burna Boy, Charlie Boy, Davido, Flavour, Omawumi, Nse, Osuofia and RMD making their music videos and movies.

The COVID impacted has impacted on attendance a great deal and people were not really going out much until they realised that actually places like parks are the safest place one can be so long as one keeps the numbers at a lower level and one practises the distancing and sanitization protocols. Some people are coming but strictly controlled.

Urban parks such as Lufasi Park, the Nigerian Conservation Park and a few other parks near the city are the safest places to be with the COVID-19 infection because they are more secure.

Many people want to travel; they want to go places but they are feeling insecure because of COVID-19 and the general insecurity in the country. So, within the city, the park is a much better place to go and it’s also good for the economy.