From Eze Chimere, Umuahia
Abia State government has announced plans to boost tourism by revamping the National War Museum and Ojukwu Bunker, in addition to reactivating 55 heritage sites recently discovered in the state.
Revamping the National War Museum and Ojukwu Bunker, both civil war historical centres located in Umuahia, aims to preserve history and turn them into world class tourism destinations, while the 55 heritage sites would be reactivated and preserved for their historical significance and tourism potential.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu revealed this to journalists during a joint post-State Executive Council weekly media briefing.
Kanu said the state government, through its Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, would in collaboration with the federal government, revamp the National War Museum Umuahia and Ojukwu Bunker into world class tourism sites.
On the 55 viable heritage sites, the commissioner said: “In a bid to identify its heritage and memorial sites, the Abia State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy recently embarked on an expository trip round the state during which it discovered over 55 unique and viable heritage sites.
“Notable among the sites are the Ulochukwu Cave in Alayi, Bende Local Government Area, the Mazi Okorie Orji’s Compound in Arochukwu, Ntugbo Oloko Ikwuano, where participants in the famous Aba Women Riots of 1929 were tried.”
He explained that the planned establishment of a five- star Hotel in Umuahia, revamping of the War Museum and Ojukwu Bunker, as well as reactivation of the heritage sites “were efforts geared towards reviving the tourism centers located in the state to make them viable and boost the tourism potential of the state.”
