Hassan Olajoku Memorial Park: Will this N248m project be left to waste?

When the Hassan Olajoku Memorial Park, which gulped N248 million was dedicated with fanfare on May 15, 2013, the people were overjoyed that the memory of their son would linger on while the environment would also be beautified. OLUWOLE IGE reports that the proposed park is fast becoming a den for criminals as it seems it has been abandoned.

For the Governor Rauf Aregbesola led administration in Osun State,  implementation of lofty programmes and projects that have direct bearing on the wellbeing and socio-economic value chain of the citizenry is a major part of  its vision and it is one that cannot be overemphasised. Indeed, commitment to the interest of the masses within and beyond the precinct of “Ipinle Omoluabi”, has never been in doubt as it is obvious for all to see in the construction of state of the arts road network, building of mega schools, laudable investment in social welfare programmes and hospitality industry, all of which cannot be dismissed easily.

The passion for development may have informed the administration’s resolve to construct a park to be named the Hassan Olajoku Memorial Park at the sum of N248 million and the consequent commissioning of the said project amidst great fanfare and glamour on May 15, 2013 in memory of a politician in the state.

the Olajoku park, strategically located on a stretch of the Ibadan-Ife Expressway at Gbongan, in Ayedaade local government area of Osun, shortly after the office of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) was a cynosure of all eyes when it was commissioned in honour of Late Alhaji Hassan Olajoku, a dogged politician and strong supporter of the Oranmiyan Group who was murdered by unknown gunmen about 12 years ago.

The facility was specifically built on the exact spot where hoodlums mindlessly put a sudden end to the life of the promising politician and social activist.

During the inauguration of the facility, Aregbesola recalled with sorrow and anguish, the untimely demise of Olajokun, adding that his government had succeeded in taking the sting out of his death with the building, completion and commissioning of the fascinating edifice, which was also designed to serve as a recreational facility for travelers along the Ekiti, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa and other states in the South, thereby generating revenue into the coffers of Osun State government.

Also present at the unveiling of the Olajoku park, the Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi described the late Olajokun as a politician who can never be forgotten, reiterating that his memory will continue to linger in the mind of his friends and families.

The Olajokun family was happy that the government deemed it fit to make honour the memory of the politician and his wife, Mrs Fausat Olajokun, who was present at the event while recounting the how her husband died, expressed appreciation to governor Aregbesola for his constant support for the family since the demise of her husband.

But today, the celebrated Hassan Olajoku Memorial Park has been turned into a den of miscreants and criminally minded individuals, who have looted some of the things that was put in place to make the Olajoku park a standard recreation center, defeating the purpose of putting it in place for the people’s enjoyment.

A visit by Nigerian Tribune to the Olajoku park revealed that  weeds have taken over the facility while all other recreational facilities had began to gather rust while an intimidating elephant bust constructed to complement the aesthetics had lost its shine. All other areas were not left out of the decay process; the restaurant, car park, bar, main event hall, toilets and other facilities in the Olajoku park are in a state of ongoing decay occasioned by neglect while some of the structures are already losing their roofs to looters.

the Olajoku park which investigations revealed was built by the state government not only to add beauty but to also attract tourists to the state because of its abundant tourist attractions was expected to also be a source of revenue generation for Osun state as a whole, not only in naira, but also in foreign currencies to justify the investment.

Some natives of Gbongan, passerby, transporters and traders selling fruit and other farm produce near the Hassan Olajokun Park, who spoke to Nigerian Tribune lamented the deplorable state of the recreational facility and called on the state government to intervene in putting the facility to good use.

With its present state, there is no disputing the fact that the Olajoku park had become a threat to the people, most especially the host community of Gbongan, considering its use by thugs and miscreants, who have turned the memorial park to a smoking joint. Indeed, leftover cannabis is a natural decoration all over the various facilities in the Olajoku park.

However, it was observed that part of the landscape of the Olajoku park had been taken over by the construction of the Chief Bisi Akande interchange trumpet bridge that is still under construction as the contractors handling the flyover were spotted working around Gbongan junction.

A native of Gbongan, Mr John Adefemi told Nigerian Tribune that what happened is simply a case of a good idea gone wrong. “I think the Osun State government had a very good intention for building this park. We have to view any situation or issue without any sentiment. Aregbesola meant well when he built this park. But something must have gone wrong somewhere and this should not be used to rubbish this project”.

One of the residents of the community, Mrs Azeez Folasade argued that the high cost may be a reason for the abandonment as when the facility was still operational, the charge for the use of the main hall for social engagements was too high for people to afford.

“The price the government used to give out the event centre to people that have occasions here was too expensive for the common man to afford, that made people resort to using school fields where tents would be placed instead of the Olajokun Park which was too expensive for them to bear,” she said.

For others, the issue of security and safety as a result of the location of the Olajoku park is another major factor as it was located on the outskirt of town and not in a place that will be accessible to many. According to many, this is a major reason that people do not patronize the Olajoku park.

A trader, Hajia Latifat Adeola, who sells fruits and other grocery items around Gbongan had an appeal for government. “We are calling on the government to come and clear the bush inside the Olajoku park so that bad people and some suspicious persons would not turn it to their house. We are selling our fruits here and we want the government to intervene in making the Olajoku park work again so that it would add beauty to our town and improve business activities in Gbongan,” she stated.

Reacting to the situation of things at the Olajoku park, the Osun State Commissioner for Finance, Hon Bola Oyebamiji assured that the Olajoku park, designed and constructed to generate revenue for Osun would definitely generate money as planned. “It is one of the investments that government is passionate about, it consists of motels, event centre and bar where people can relax. Though the place may be seen not functioning now it is because of the road construction that is presently ongoing at the area”.

He expressed optimism that the Olajoku park will come alive again immediately the chief Bisi Akande interchange bridge is completed, adding that the purpose for which it was created would not be defeated.

Meanwhile, findings by the Nigerian Tribune indicates that the Olajoku park may have been leased out to a private firm , identified as City Waiters Limited, which would run it for five years before handing it over to the state government.

This indication is explained in a white paper report submitted by the Justice Samson Uwaifo’s Truth Commission and another committee constituted by the state government  and headed  by the former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Barrister Wale Afolabi.

The Afolabi committee submitted a 85-page report out of the original 285 pages report submitted by Uwaifo’s commission which was set up by governor Aregbesola and headed by the Retired Supreme Court Judge, Hon. Justice Samson Uwaifo to review cases of Human Rights abuses in the state from May 2003 to November 27, 2010 with Mr Nurudeen Ogbara Esq. as Secretary.

According to the document made available to Nigerian Tribune,  a Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) signed with The City Waiters Limited on the management of Hassan Olajokun Memorial Park, would see the government leasing the main hall, its extension, conference room, viewing centre and guest chalet for five years after which the agreement is renewable for a fee.

It was also agreed that the period of lease for the property should not exceed 20 years after which full ownership is returned to the state government.

At present, the government is committed to ensuring its resources on the project is not laid to waste while the people want immediate action, it is in the interest of all parties to see the Hassan Olajokun park become functional again.