| Water gardens prolong
life’s expectancy – Dame Erogbogbo
By BISI OLALEYE
Saturday, March
29, 2008
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Erogbogbo
Photo: Sun News Publishing |
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“We don’t have to die young, if we know the secret
to prolonging life’s expectancy. Life is all about adhering
to rulers and regulations that would increase longevity but
it’s sad that many have flaunted these instructions,
and that is why many die at their prime which should not be
the case.”
This assertion was made by Dame Mobola Erogbogbo, Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) Marrymaid water gardens, Lagos.
Speaking to Daily Sun at her office in Surulere, she said,
“laws of nature should be observed to the letter and
that is the reason, UNESCO has made 2008 a year of the environment.
“What this simply mean is that, we should take care
of our immediate environment, and plant much flowers as possible
to douse the stress, we experience on daily basis. What we
actually need today to prolong life expectancy is to revive
our natural ponds, create and sustain our water gardens.”
Excerpts:
Discovery
I have always loved nature and I discovered that water plant
is not stressful and need minimum maintenance. All is needed
is planting them and watch them grow unlike the regular gardening
that entails mowing, trimming and edging. The love of water
plant prompted me into doing this coupled with the tranquility
that water radiates.
My direct involvement with nurturing plants came in my undergraduate
days in London. I got an apartment in a nice location and
I needed to beautify it to my taste. Incidentally, I discovered
a garden centre nearby with more hosts, I bought a few and
put them on my windowsill and balcony with also some indoors
plants. My landlady was astonished when she saw the transformation
and she immediately reduced my rent by one pound.
Nature’s healing balm
That is the secret of our trade. If one really adheres strictly
to the organic concept, there is no need to change the water.
I have a pond that I have not changed the water for 10 years.
The water garden that we design, construct and maintain is
quite different from the one that chlorine is used. It is
the plant that does that filtration. What this simply means
is that, we do only organic water gardens, which are chemical
free, environmentally friendly. This in turn, balances the
eco-system.
Besides the ecosystem, it is actually good for a healthier
life, it increases the life expectancy, especially for someone
that went through chaotic traffic stress daily. More sitting
beside the pond calm the nerves and automatically reduces
high blood pressure. It’s a soothing therapy that is
naturally effective. If one adds water to the environment,
which is not only for the beauty but also for a healthier
life, especially for the organic water gardens, but if chemical
s infused into it, one may not stay close to it for too long
because chlorine is harmful.
I remember that in the 60’s doctors had aquarium in
their reception and they discovered that once patients come
in, even after shaving taking heir Blood Pressure (BP). By
the time, they goes in to see the doctor, who also checks
the BP, it was discovered HBP in more patients had gone down.
Before now, after graduating in Business studies in England,
I came back and worked briefly but I was not challenged. I
set up a company that dealt in landscaping and floristry to
enhance my love for plants and flowers. I went for short courses
in gardening, a long the line, I started to catering business.
In fact my catering outfit in Obalende then got a boost from
my floristry background. I made my mark in catering and become
successful. Later, it wasn’t fun anymore because catering
for parties was stressful. Most Nigerians would ask you to
cater for 500 guests but they would invite 1,500 guests and
it was always the caterer’s fault. I went fully back
to my first love in 2000, after I did my research. I discovered
that water gardening had improved tremendously. Technology
has made equipments easier to use and more affordable.
Merrymaid
Mrrymaid water gardens is actually a one-stop shop that work
with mother nature to create stylish water gardens. These
include fountains, ponds, streams, waterfalls, aquaria- um
among others. The name merrymaid do not connote any spiritual
information. It simply means a happy maid. We provide consultation,
design and installation of new water gardens, naturalized
aquariums, sales of pumps, water garden equipments as well
as accessories.
We use modern technology to produce our unique water features.
This ensures no stone piling effect, no ugly piping and good
contemporary eye catching designs.
Patronage
Initially, people do not understand what we are talking about.
We try to explain to many that came our way that we believe
in the totality of the garden as part of our living space
and not necessarily a place to grow plants. It should be a
kind of ‘outside room’ where the natural qualities
of plants could be enhanced by the creativity using other
materials, including water.
But many do not understand until they see them. Now, many
are embracing water gardens and appreciating them, though
most of our clienteles are individuals, hotels and schools.
Creativity
Creativity comes to bear in the design. Even before you want
to slow creativity, you need to know basic technology, no
matter how fantastic the design appear. Water garden is a
combination of art and science, to produce the design element
to suit any form in the interior or garden. We complement
it the right water plants, ornamental fishes and others to
provide a relaxed environment.
Environment
The United Nations Organization (UNO) has declared 2008 as
the international Year of the environment. They want us to
pay particular attention to our environment, to beautiful
it and we know that, it help longevity in terms of the air
we breathe in. If we have lovely plants that are well nurtured.
In the long run, it enhances to our well being, which in turn
increase the general life expectancy in human beings. If we
start from individual and ensuring that people take care of
their immediate environment. We would e able to live comfortably
and healthily. It is a natural sleeping tablet and a calming
therapy if a natural pond is in people’s garden.
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