The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to revamp the National War Museum and Ojukwu Bunker in Umuahia, in collaboration with the Abia Government.
The Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Mr Olugbile Holloway, made this known, on Tuesday, when he paid Gov. Alex Otti of Abia a visit in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
Holloway said that the initiative would play a crucial role in enhancing historical preservation and boosting the tourism sector.
“This is not just about having a museum; it is about creating a space where people can truly learn and connect with the rich history of the Nigerian Civil War and its surrounding narratives,” he said.
Holloway emphasised the need to upgrade these historical sites to world-class standards, ensuring they serve as educational and cultural landmarks.
According to him the two key aspects of the project include infrastructural improvements and storytelling.
He said that while infrastructural improvements were relatively straightforward, however, effectively narrating the events of the Civil War remains the biggest challenge.
“This is where NCMM comes in; we have museum professionals who can collaborate with professionals from around the world,” he added.
Holloway said that other federal heritage sites in the state would be revived.
He further highlighted the Arochukwu Long Juju, in Arochukwu as a cultural landmark with significant tourism potential if properly developed.
Responding, Gov. Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to developing Abia’s tourism sector, because of its economic potential for both the state and the country.
He said that tourism had sustained the economies of nations with limited natural resources, and with the right approach, Abia could become one of Nigeria’s top tourist destinations.
The governor said that most of Abia’s key tourist sites, including the National War Museum, Ojukwu Bunker, Arochukwu Long Juju, Umunneochi Cave, and the Azumini Blue River, are not currently in a marketable state.
He said that with collaboration between the state and federal governments, these tourist attractions could be revived to global standards.
Otti said that infrastructure aspect of the project would require significant funding, not to mention the critical aspect of storytelling “without which history is lost”.
He emphasised the urgency of documenting historical narratives while key storytellers were still alive, warning that once they passed on, valuable history may be lost.
Otti assured that his administration had already started working on tourism development before the NCMM visit, describing their interest as a welcome development.
However, in an interview with newsmen, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr Matthew Ekwuribe, described the collaboration between the federal government and Abia Government as crucial for reviving the state’s tourism sector.
Ekwuribe said that most of the tourist attractions in Abia owned by the federal government were currently in poor condition and not functioning as viable tourism destinations.
“The National War Museum in Umuahia is the only war museum in West Africa.
“Restoring it to global standards would attract visitors from around the world, boosting tourism, economic growth, and cultural preservation in the state,’’ he said. (NAN)
