They say a wealthy population is one that is healthy.

Of what use is it to emulate good social programmes in other nations yet fail to add the one that complement them – green areas and parks, which provide space for recreational activities for both children and adults? Lagos roads are not ideal for jogging, particularly for the elderly.

Lagos State, with its teeming population of workers and mostly traders who wake up as early as 4 am everyday to catch the bus to their various destinations, is obligated to build such places for this purpose. Unlike an attempt that was made right in the middle of an express way somewhere around the Oworo axis, parks should be located away from busy and noisy areas with transport facilities provided in addition to regular guards and cleaners.

Some of the social programmes embarked upon by the state in the past have not impacted on the society because of the absence of these parks. Calling out a section of the populace to engage them in occasional recreational activities in front of TV cameras under an atmosphere laden with fumes from auto engines, is not the ideal way to activate the population for recreational activity…