A new attraction, the Abeokuta Private Nature Park, named for a town in Nigeria, was officially opened January 5 in Westmoreland by Nigerian high commissioner to Jamaica, Florentina Adenike Ukonga.

The park, which occupies six hectares of land, approximately 400 metres off the Deans Valley main road and approximately 200 metres from the Deans Valley Ice Factory, has been in operation for a few months.

According to Mitsy White, the park's managing director, the facility offers a direct connection to mother nature.
"Coming to Abeokuta is going straight into mother nature's arms, to be hugged and smothered with love," she said.

She explained that there was also "a rich history" surrounding the attraction and that visitors had a range of relaxing and rejuvenating activities to choose from.
The main attraction at the park is a large swimming pool with a built-in aquarium, constructed more than 200 years ago.

The pool, which is believed to have been built by slaves, is supplied with water from the Abeokuta River via an aqueduct. Visitors to the attraction are encouraged to swim or snorkel in the pool, which has an abundance of fish. The water is also said to have mineral qualities, which offers an added health benefit to swimmers.
Nature lovers can also experience the hiking trail at the attraction, which will take them up to the source of the river, deep in the watershed areas of Westmoreland. From this point, visitors can also view the Alumo Rock.

White said the Abeokuta Nature Park was also a great place for garden weddings, anniversary parties, meetings and picnics.
She noted, too, that apart from the serenity and tranquillity visitors experienced when visiting the park, they also have the benefit of history as they can tour the remains of the great house that once stood on the property.

Ambassador Ukonga, in explaining the Nigerian connection, said 'Abeokuta' was one of the most historic towns in her homeland.
"When I heard that there is a place here by that name, I wanted to come here," she said and explained that Abeokuta literally meant: "Under the rock".
The ambassador gave a historical background of the derivative of the word and the connection with the 'Alumo Rock', which is also Nigerian.

"The people who settled here, they must have heard from their great ancestors, maybe their great grandfathers, that they came from a place like that, and the people who gave the name Abeokuta to this place, must have seen the connection, or the similarities," she said.
The ambassador said that since she came to the island in 1999, the nature park was the second place she had visited that had a Nigerian connection. The other place was Calabar High School in Kingston.

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