Gamji Park Kaduna State

Residents of Kaduna metropolis and environs flock to Kofar Gamji Amusement Park on Saturdays and Sundays to relax and unwind with their families after a long week of work and school. The crowd which is mostly made of young men and women, families and singles all of whom throng to Kofar Gamji for various reasons, fuse at the arena.

Kofar Gamji also known as Hassan Usman Katsina Park, is the first amusement park built in the heart of the Kaduna metropolis along the Shooting Range New Extension next to the Kaduna Police College and is indeed the most visited place during celebrations such as Valentine’s Day, Christmas, Sallah and New Year.The premises which started off as a garden during colonial rule and northern administrations, occupies a landmass of about 7, 000 square metres and has beautiful greenery with several trees, a small mangrove, orchards and small islands with majestic water flowing from the River Kaduna.The park is divided into two by the river with a foot bridge built by Lord Frederick Lugard connecting them together. Until the bridge was constructed there was no way of linking both halves except by canoe.

Kofar Gamji park has a wide lawn for relaxation, a mini zoo housing animals including a lion, two hyena’s, four monkeys, two ostriches, a tortoise, peacocks, a children’s playground that is managed by a private company and a terrace for couples who chose to stroll hand-in-hand, also known as the Lord Lugard foot bridge. The bridge is also a popular backdrop for wedding couples who love to have their photos taken there.The scenic view of the Kaduna River, which cuts across the park, is a pleasure to behold even though, the river often over flows its banks during the raining season - forcing the management of the park to close it until the water level recedes.



Kofar Gamji is also host to CD World Play Club, where comedians, dancers and other acts entertain thereby drawing a large crowd of people, making the whole experience worthwhile.Regular visitors to the park normally pay between N50 and N100 to enter though some visitors do not mind paying as much as between N200 and N500 for the added value of an afternoon with their favourite artistes.

A lot of upcoming artistes also use the busy park to showcase their talents at children’s parties which are common at the place, families use the serene environment to celebrate their children’s birthday parties as well as have fun with the family - something, a lot of Nigerians do not often engage in.With the performance stage tucked into the far-end of the park, visitors have the privilege of taking a good view of the invigorating scenario as the stomping sounds of music draw them deeper into the belly of the park.

Some Kaduna residents specifically go to Kofar Gamji for such entertainment experiences because, according to them, the music allows them to forget about their day to day activities. Others go there to hang out with their partners as well as connect with people.