The Millennium Park is the largest public park of

Abuja Abuja () is the capital and eighth most populous city of Nigeria. Situated at the centre of the country within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), it is a planned city built mainly in the 1980s based on a master plan by International Plan ...

, the capital of

Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...

and is located in the Maitama district of the city. The Millennium Park was inaugurated by

Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until her death in 2022. She was queen regnant of 32 sovereign states during ...

on 4 December 2003. It is near the former Presidential Palace close to the nucleus of presidential and administrative buildings of the city. A river crosses the Park in its main rectilinear axis, dividing it into two parts. One side on the Park is dedicated to uncontaminated nature. In a system of terraces at different levels are located Nigeria's mountain vegetation,

savanna A savanna or savannah is a mixed woodland- grassland (i.e. grassy woodland) ecosystem characterised by the trees being sufficiently widely spaced so that the canopy does not close. The open canopy allows sufficient light to reach the ground ...

deciduous In the fields of horticulture and Botany, the term ''deciduous'' () means "falling off at maturity" and "tending to fall off", in reference to trees and shrubs that seasonally shed leaves, usually in the autumn; to the shedding of petals, ...

forest,

rainforest Rainforests are characterized by a closed and continuous tree canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. Rainforest can be classified as tropical rainforest or temperate rainfores ...

and brushwood as well as greenhouses for butterflies and tropical birds. The other side, corresponding to the main entrance from road, is dedicated to the scientific knowledge of the natural environment. This part of the Park has a very traditional and rigid Italian Style Garden Layout. Entering the Park, a rectilinear path completely paved with Roman white travertine brings the public into its green areas. A series of fountains run alongside this white mark refreshing the public during the hottest days. This path visually links the enormous Cotton Tree, a holy tree of Abuja situated on one side of the Millennium Park, with the

Aso Rock Aso Rock is a large outcrop of granitic rock located on the outskirts of Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. The Aso Rock is a prominent monolith with a peak height of above sea level. It is one of the city's most noticeable features. The Nigerian ...

, the holy Rock of Abuja. The path layout is based on a trident geometry separated by huge polygonal pools. The roads are crossed by a series of multicoloured bushes going from yellow to red with a very particular wave-like course. This Park, conceived and designed by the Italian architect

Manfredi Nicoletti Manfredi Nicoletti (16 June 1930 – 29 October 2017) was an Italian architect. Biography Nicoletti is considered a pioneer in Bioclimatic urban and architectural design. In the 1970s his book ''L'ecosistema urbano'' (The Urban Ecosystem) - a t ...

, has quickly become one of the main attractions of the city of Abuja bringing thousands of people together each day. During the Millennium Park opening ceremony, each

Commonwealth A commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has been synonymous with "republic". The noun "commonwealth", meaning "public welfare, general good or advantage", dates from the ...

Head of State has planted symbolically a

Ravenala madagascariensis ''Ravenala'' is a genus of monocotyledonous flowering plants. Classically, the genus was considered to include a single species, ''Ravenala madagascariensis'', commonly known as the traveller's tree, traveller's palm or East-West palm, from Mad ...

palm giving birth to the Park. Among others were present the President of Nigeria

Olusegun Obasanjo Chief Olusegun Matthew Okikiola Ogunboye Aremu Obasanjo, , ( ; yo, Olúṣẹ́gun Ọbásanjọ́ ; born 5 March 1937) is a Nigerian political and military leader who served as Nigeria's head of state from 1976 to 1979 and later as its presid ...

, UK prime Minister

Tony Blair Sir Anthony Charles Lynton Blair (born 6 May 1953) is a British former politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007. He previously served as Leader of t ...

and

References

External links

Millennium Park of Abuja on www.cometonigeria.com Millennium Park of Abuja on www.manfredinicoletti.com

Gallery

File:Millennium Park Abuja1.jpg, Pools and fountains in the park File:Abuja Millenium Park 2019 27.jpg, Park's main entrance File:Millennium Park Abuja3.jpg, Queen Elizabeth II at the Inauguration Ceremony File:Abuja Millenium Park 2019 26.jpg, South View of the park File:Abuja Millennium Park 20191110.jpg, Commemoration plaque File:Abuja Millenium Park 2019 14.jpg, Abuja Millenium Park 2019 {{commons, Abuja Millenium Park, Abuja Millenium Park Parks in Nigeria Abuja Tourist attractions in Abuja Gardens in Nigeria 2003 establishments in Nigeria Protected areas established in 2003 Nature parks in Nigeria