As Abia Begins Upgrade of Key Tourist Sites

Abia State is gearing up to unlock and harness her enormous tourism potential, writes Boniface Okoro

Abia is blessed with surfeit of tourism sites and unlocking its potential would translate to huge economic growth, cultural revival and sustainable transformation of the state.

Since coming to power in 2023, the Dr. Alex Otti administration has been evolving different blueprints on how to actively promote tourism in the state through various initiatives.

The government is working on developing around 17 tourism sites, including the Azumiri Blue River and creating leisure parks in Umuahia, Aba, and Ohafia. The government is also engaging with the federal government to retrieve management of some tourism sites, especially the Ojukwu Bunker and National War Museum, both in Umuahia.

Governor Otti, had hinted last year, during the 65th birthday celebration of Zigima music exponent and icon, Bright Chimezie, that plans were underway to establish an entertainment village in the state, with a focus on creative enterprise and entertainment.

To further boost tourism, government has commenced reconstruction of the abandoned five-star Enyimba Hotel in Aba, being handle by world hospitality brand, Radisson Blu.

As quickly as it settled down, the government moved to identify over 55 potential tourism sites and is working on eco-tourism hubs and digitisation of the heritage sites.

On the 55 viable heritage sites, the Commissioner for Information, Okay Kanu, 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 LGA, the Mazi Okorie Orji’s Compound in Arochukwu, Ntugbo, Oloko Ikwuano, where participants in the famous Aba Women Riots of 1929 were tried.”

Concerning the sites, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Matthew Ekwuribe, said that the state was blessed with lots of eco-friendly tourism sites, which, if properly harnessed, would make tourism viable in Abia, with huge potential to boost the state’s internally-generated revenue. He added that the tourism sector was open for private sector participation.

Last Tuesday at a joint press briefing, both Kanu and Ekwuribe, announced that immediate commencement of renovation, retrofitting and upgrade of three tourist sites, namely Arochukwu Waterfall, Ojukwu Bunker and National War Museum.

Kanu announced that the decision to retrofit Arochukwu Waterfall, to be done in phases, was taken by the State Executive Council. 

“In a strategic move to boost the tourism potential of the state, council has approved the first phase of the retrofitting of the Arochukwu Waterfall in Ibom as part of efforts to enhance the tourism value of the waterfall as a tourist site.

“This first phase will cover the development of key visitor infrastructure and this includes entrance Gates, Souvenir Shops, Town Stand, Bush Bar and Convenience facilities, to improve accessibility and comfort, as well as overall tourist experience for visitors,” the Commissioner stated.

The Arochukwu Waterfall, often called “Ogba N’ Nkume” or the 79 Steps Waterfall, is a historical natural wonder located in Amanagwu village. Linked to the infamous Long Juju slave route and Ibini Ukpabi shrine, it was used for judgment and rituals during the Atlantic slave trade.

The fall is accessed via 79 stone steps carved into the hillside. These steps were constructed during the British colonial era for a water project that was later abandoned.

Today, it is recognised as a tranquil, scenic spot for tourists, attractive for hiking, offering a mix of natural beauty and historical significance. 

The move to renovate and upgrade Ojukwu Bunker to international tourist site has been a year’s journey, a collaboration with the federal government through the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM).

In July last year, Ekwuribe announced that the federal government has given approval to Abia State government to renovate and upgrade the facility.

Announcing what was perceived as a major milestone in the Abia government’s march towards boosting tourism in the state then, the Commissioner for Information said: “We are also pleased to announce key milestones that continue to transform the state’s cultural, historical and creative landscape in line with the government’s vision for the arts, culture, and creative economy of the state.

“In this way, Council has approved the comprehensive retrofitting of Ojukwu Bunker and National War Museum, two major historical monuments in the state and country.

“This follows the finalisation of agreements between the National Commissions for Museums and Monuments and the State Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy.

“The renovation and upgrade of the facilities at the two centres will modernise both iconic heritage sites, enrich visitor’s historical experience and reposition the Bunker and the museum as leading tourist sites in the state and country.”

On his part, Ekwuribe disclosed that work at the sites would commence within one month when the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the federal government and Abia State would be finalised.

“We are working closely with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments and the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Economy, to ensure that we finalise the MOU and then work with the government.

“So as soon as possible, it will be probably in another three weeks or one month, we should be able to start the retrofitting of those facilities,” Ekwuribe said.

However, getting done with the MoU slowed down the proposed retrofitting. The commissioner confirmed last Tuesday that everything about the MoU has been concluded and work would soon commence in earnest.

The Ojukwu Bunker, originally known as the ‘Subterranean…’ is a 27-foot-deep underground bunker built in 90 days, within April and June 1968 during the Nigerian Civil War. It served as the operational headquarters, bunker-house, and strategic hideout for Biafran leader, Lieutenant Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu.

The bomb-proof structure was built as a secure command centre to ensure the safety of the Biafran leadership and to conduct wartime operations following the fall of Enugu.

Today, it is a protected monument preserved by the National War Museum to honour the history of the war and is currently managed as part of the National War Museum in Umuahia, allowing tourists to experience the underground structure which functioned as State House for Biafra. It now serves as a key historical site for studying the Nigerian-Biafra War (1967–1970). 

Approval for renovation and upgrade of National War Museum, Umuahia, was granted simultaneous with that of Ojukwu Bunker into world-class tourism sites by the federal government, for their historical significance and tourism potentials.

The National War Museum in Umuahia, Abia State, commissioned in 1985, is the nation’s premier repository for military history, focusing on the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970).

It houses extensive collections of weapons, armoured vehicles, and aircraft used by both Nigeria and the former Republic of Biafra to promote national unity and reconciliation, with the motto ‘That they did not die in vain’.

It is located at Ebite Amafor in Isingwu, Umuahia, specifically chosen because this area hosted the “Ojukwu Bunker” and the clandestine bunker for the Voice of Biafra radio station, which are still preserved there.

The museum now serves as a research centre for, not to glorify war, but to illustrate the conflict and promote peace, particularly focusing on the Nigerian Civil War’s, impact and aftermath. 

All the renovation and reactivation of tourism sites in the state is not just to make tourism sector to bloom and boom, create employment and improve Abia’s internally generated revenue, but to transform the state into a tourist haven which the Otti administration hopes to achieve, also through various beautification programmes in the cities of the state.