In spite of the stories of insecurity, the state still has lots of places for leisure. The rebranded park shows what is possible when the public assets are optimized by private expertise and funds.
My trip to Kofar Gamji was not my first and this happened some weeks back. This time, it was a smooth, low-key ride in a Keke Napep. But I was, however, taken aback when the tricycle stopped and pointed toward my supposed destination. And I asked, politely: “Sir, Kofar Gamji, that is where I’m going?’ Recognizing my predicament, the rider smiled reassuringly and told me that I was indeed at the right place, the formerly Kofar Gamji but now Splash Park. He disclosed that the amusement park was privatized in 2017. I paid him the fare and headed towards the entrance gate. At the gatehouse, I met some of the officials of the park who directed me to a tour guide. I paid ₦600 as a gate fee.
It is important to state that Kofar Gamji Park was originally Hassan Usman Kastina Park, named after the then Northern Governor, General Hassan Usman Katsina. Then it was a resort that housed a lot of wildlife. Established during the colonial times as a garden for Lord Lugard, hence the name, “Lord Lugard’s Garden.” The park is home to the River Kaduna, which is widely believed to have crocodiles and is, indeed, the oldest amusement park in the city. Currently being managed by Splash Limited, the park now has expanded lawns for guests – ideal venues for birthdays, picnics, research, among others; sliding pool for teens, kiddies swimming pool, green areas, an indoor gaming arcade, a lounge upstairs, and caravans where you can purchase snacks and barbecued fish.
The Journey to Splash Park
The journey to Kaduna state took about two hours from the train station in Idu, Abuja to Rigasa, Kaduna on the 7 a.m. schedule. Having booked my stay at the Hotel Seventeenth, I wanted the weekend to be fun-filled even though I had a few work meetings to attend. I was elated to have found a place on the train as tickets sold out quickly. I’d recommend booking your ticket 48 hours ahead, which can be done on your mobile phone using the Nigeria Railway Cooperation E-ticketing App at ₦6,000, ₦5,000, and ₦3,000 for first-class, business class, and standard, respectively. The trip to Kaduna was smooth and without incident.
Lodged at the Hotel Seventeenth at the rate of ₦28,000 per night, I had a whole day to relax until my meeting, scheduled for the next day. Other hotels one can stay at include De’Nevilla Hotel on Kingo Road starting at ₦10,000 per night with complimentary breakfast, Ishakool Hotel opposite Customs Quarters, and Kapoly Hotel just beside Kaduna State University (KASU).
Determined to make the most of my Kaduna stay, I dropped my bags, took my phone, wore my sneakers, and made my way to the reception where I inquired about how to get to a fun open-air place and Kofar Gamji/Gamji Gates came in highly recommended. I had no challenge flagging down a tricycle, which is the easiest way to commute if you aren’t with your personal vehicle. You can also hop on a bike. Commuting to the park within Kaduna town is easy and usually costs around ₦70-₦200. Traffic to Splash Park triples during the weekend.
My tour guide, Mr. Suleiman, began the tour from the sitting arrangement where he announced to me that apart from serving as a lounging area for fun seekers, various gatherings are held here. I could see a family with their relatives and a student group from KASU who had come to celebrate a coursemate’s birthday. From where we stood, I could see kids having fun at the kiddies’ pool and at the sliding pool under the watchful eyes of adults. Next, we went to the green areas where we saw couples having fun, individuals horse-riding, and, slowly, we proceeded to view the famous River Kaduna. I was regaled with tales of the river having no beginning nor end even though I’m yet to comprehend how possible that is. Kaduna State apparently got its name from the river.
The ancient Lord Lugard Bridge
Prompted by my question on how to go across the river, Mallam Sulieman took me to where I could see a bridge, ‘’people used canoes to paddle on the water and this, the first footbridge in Nigeria which was built in 1904 and declared as a historic monument February 20, 1956, provided the platform to walk across the river, which has in it many crocodiles and easily floods the riverbank during Wet Season’’, he stated as he pointed. ‘’The bridge was formerly erected at the Lord Lugard’s Station, Zungeru, Niger state but it now has permanent residence here,’’ added the tour guide with excellent knowledge of the place. Although not having been in use for a while due to its dilapidated state, I observed that apart from the wood being broken, the metallic handrails are still intact and maintain Nigeria’s national colors.
Kofar Gamji Park, despite its rebranding history and different changes in management, still remains a perfect getaway, a quiet spot for relaxation and meditation, an amusement park for kids, and is located at Gamji Street, Kabala Doki, Kaduna. I ended my daycation chewing delicious meat steaks I purchased at the caravans situated in front of the park and musing on how spectacular the park would have been with a zoo.
Calista Njoku is a realtor and fashion enthusiast. She lives in Abuja
Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.
