Recreation  is  as  old  as  man  and  everybody needs  it.  This  is  due  to  its  vast  and

fundamental importance. It plays an important role in physical, economic and socio-cultural development of mankind (Okoli 2001). It is for this reason that Obateru (2003) expresses the need for Nigerians to participate in recreation activities in order to improve their health, facilitate their economic output and also to make worthy use of leisure time.

Recreation activities according to Atemie (1997) is an important ingredient for long life. It is for this reason that Straus (1998), a medical educator emphasized that recreation is as important as eating a healthy diet and getting enough exercise. It has the ability in helping to deal with stress in life, by changing the focus of attention from those stressful situations.

Today‟s young participants in outdoor recreation activities are tomorrow‟s adult outdoor enthusiasts and conservationists, but sadly fewer and fewer youth are leaving outdoors each year to indoor recreation activities.

In Nigeria however, it has been observed that the culture of participating in recreation activities consciously is relatively low. This may not be unconnected with the economic circumstance prevalent in the country. Results of recent researches into the recreation activities of Nigerians in different walks of life (Makasi, 1985) Imazobi, (1988) seem to indicate that certain unexpected factors prevent most Nigerians from engaging in recreation activities. While Nigeria is blessed with several abundant recreation activities such as swimming, football, lawn tennis, boating, picnicking, basketball, polo playing, TV viewing and several other activities which could be participated in by Nigerians.