The Project Manager of the Agodi Park, Ibadan, being rebuilt by the Oyo State Government, Paul Ackerman narrates his experience to AKEEM LASISI Away from what he describes as the peculiar socio-economic depression that his country, South Africa, is going through,  Paul Ackerman is having a nice time in Ibadan, Oyo State.  He is the project manager at the Agodi Park, a once-glorious arena that is being rebuilt by the state government. Even as he continued to earn his pay, monitoring various groups of people working at the expansive facility, he is not missing any opportunity to enjoy himself. Indeed, what seems to be running through his mind is that before he delivers the park to the state, he is going to have the best of the fun it offers. This was the impression our correspondent got on Saturday, when he visited the place, in the course of the Samodun Festival held in the ancient city at the weekend.  Unlike what many engineers in his position would do, he was not caught barking orders at one carpenter or bricklayer. By the time the journalist in company with some other colleagues and tourists gained entrance into the park, after an initial challenge from local gatemen, the project manager was spotted riding a bicycle round a swimming pool. In such a circumstance, many Nigerian professionals and contractors would be very reluctant to talk to the press. Perhaps this is due to their fear of some skeletons in their cupboards.  But Ackerman was exceedingly friendly. He first engaged the visitors in an exchange of cracks and jokes, even as he cast an eye on the workers setting blocks, nailing some planks to the wall or wetting flowers at different spots. “This park is grand,” he said. “It is fantastic for Ibadan. Lagos hasn’t got this kind of park. Even Cape Town doesn’t have it – a park, zoo, swimming pool, recreation centre for kids, restaurant, all in one place.” Ackerman said there was still much to be done at the park, but added that the first phase would be ready in April. “The governor (Abiola Ajimobi) really wants this place open for Easter. He comes here regularly and he is very keen on  every detail of the construction,” he said. Although he said that he could not speak on the details of the contract – as he is just the project manager – he noted that the park, when completed, would contribute a lot to the economic development of the state.  Already, the facility, which once defined the cultural and tourism landscape of the city, has been opened up as the huge bush and filth that had hitherto taken over has been cleared. While the park, swimming pool and restaurant constitute the first phase, the second is basically about the zoo, with the manager saying that there is going to be a boat in the facility. Ackerman said the scope of work covers repopulating the zoo with animals, as nearly all the ones  it used to house have died He noted that his city Cape Town is a very beautiful place – more beautiful than Durban – but he stressed that Nigeria is a very beautiful country, too and one with enormous potential. According to him, there are still a lot of racial issues in South Africa. “This is a beautiful country,” he said. “It has taught me a lot.  For now, nothing is going on in South Africa.  No work. You have everything at a standstill. Now that one is in the right place at this time, it is like pure luck. To me, Nigeria is the new Dubai. There is a lot of money and a lot of things to do.”