eXploring’s ‘Lufasi Park’ Review: An opportunity to fall in Love with Nature again

In a world of ephemeral hashtags and trends, the environment is one issue that no matter how much it is ignored, never seems to go away. The environment, has elicited constant debates and arguments about the validity of climate change or the necessity of nature conservation, an argument which ‘eXploring’ for the week was all about.

This week’s episode on eXploring was a visit by Biodun Laaro, this week’s host, to Lekki Urban Forest Animal Sanctuary Initiative, or commonly referred to as Lufasi Nature Park. Located on a 20 hectares of land on the Lekki – Epe Express Way, Lagos, LUFASI is also a great nature park, serving as a relaxation centre for adults, as football pitches for youngsters, while also hosting interactive workshops on climate change and conservation workshops with schools and organisations at its LUFASI Education Center.

This week’s guest was the Chairman/CEO of the LUFASI, Desmond Majekodunmi, park who began by acknowledging that the big stride that countries like Kenya have made in farming and eco-tourism motivated him to invest in the Lufasi Nature Park, with the intention to preserve forest life, even in the midst of intensive urbanization in Lagos. His intention was to create a life-support system that would enable the growth and development of plants and trees in the park, even while using the space for farming.

Speaking with Biodun Laaro, Desmond explained that as part of his passion and intent to drive a narrative that Nigeria has the capability to produce beautiful things like other countries that thrive on tourism, and also justify his pride for the country, he decided to play to his own part by converting a section of the land into a park, creating what is now called “The Lungs of Lekki”.

Pointing out the importance of this system in providing oxygen for man, he explained that when humans begin to realise that their main responsibility lies with nature and understand that we need nature more than it needs us, then we might begin to pay attention.

The park also has a garden which is used as a sanctuary for birds, butterflies, as well as a zoo for bigger animals such as donkeys, monkeys, rabbits, and a wild cat.

Going deeper into the park with the host, Biodun Laaro, Desmond explained that visitors can get apprehensive whenever they get into the forest in the park. Accordingly, the park is set to gently introduce nature enthusiasts, providing a steady aesthetic progression from the trees and bushes at the gates, to the rain forest farther inside the park. And here, the park houses some of the last populations of the threatened Ekki “Red Iron Wood” tree and the endangered Hooded Vulture.

Talking about the Ekki tree in the park, the tour guide on the show, Abon, revealed that the tree is 120 years old, and has also been found to have some medicinal values, which can be used to treat kidney and liver problems.

‘eXploring’ airs on ONTV channel 41, every Wednesdays from 7.00 p.m to 7.30 p.m. It is a compelling 30 minutes show that promises interesting interview topics and investigations into the many entertaining sights, sounds and realities of life in Nigeria.

 

You can watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3DYCuE85RA

 

You can watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kogWa9ClCZE

 

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