BEFORE AND AFTER: 10 years later, Ndubuisi Kanu Park in Lagos slips into decline

December 25

11:18 2023

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The Ndubuisi Kanu Park in the Alausa area of Ikeja, Lagos, has become a shadow of its old self, 10 years after it was inaugurated with fanfare.

The park was established on June 12, 2014 by Babatunde Fashola, a former governor of Lagos.

It is named after Ndubuisi Godwin Kanu, a former military administrator of Lagos, who ruled the state from 1977 to 1978 as a Rear Admiral.

Kanu died in 2021.

The park was conceptualised as a recreational spot and green space for families and fun seekers. It has been managed by the Lagos State Parks and Garden Agency (LASPARK).

In its early days, the spot had a lawn tennis court, a basketball court, a play area for children, seats and benches, patios and sheds, and a snacks bar.

However, like the Johnson Jakande Tinubu Park beside the state’s house of assembly, the Ndubuisi Kanu Park has now gone completely bald. Gone is the greenery and most of the recreational facilities.

The walls are crying for fresh daub of paint, the waste bins are hollow underneath, the wifi does not work, and the greenery resides in the imaginations of those who visited the park in its early days.

Outside the gates, two water trucks are stationary and gathering dust on the kerb — a sign that they have not been used for the watering of the park in aeons.

Take a look at the pictures of what the park was, and what it now is, below.

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola SAN (left), his Deputy, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (2nd left), former Military Administrator of Lagos State, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu rtd. (2nd right) and the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello (right) during the unveiling of Ndubuisi Kanu Garden Park named in honour of pro-democracy activist and former Military Administrator of Lagos State, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu as part of activities to mark the 21st Anniversary of the Annulment of June 12, 1993 Presidential Elections at Alausa, Ikeja, on Thursday, June 12, 2014.

The Ndubuisi Kanu Garden Park named in honour of pro-democracy activist and former Military Administrator of Lagos State, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu as part of activities to mark the 21st Anniversary of the Annulment of June 12, 1993 Presidential Elections at Alausa, Ikeja, on Thursday, June 12, 2014. INSET: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (2nd right) cutting the ribbon to officially commission the Garden. With him are: His Deputy, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (right), former Military Administrator of Lagos State, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu rtd. (left), Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello (2nd left), Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Taofeek Folami (left behind).

All green | Photo: LASPARK website