In an effort to collaborate with the Federal government, the Abia State government has taken a determined step towards reviving and refurbishing national museums and other monuments across the State.
Martins Okey Justice, a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on tourism and entertainment to the Abia State Governor, made this development known. He paid a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Professor Abba Tijani, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
During the visit, Martins expressed the State government’s desire to revamp the sector. He specifically mentioned the dilapidated former Eastern Nigeria Administrative Building, widely known as Ojukwu Bunker, and other prominent monuments belonging to the NCMM in the State. The aim is to transform these sites into international tourist centers.
Martins stated that Governor Alex Otti has instructed him to oversee a complete overhaul of the Culture and Tourism sector in the state. The goal is to reposition it for tourist attraction and create employment opportunities. He also emphasized that the hospitality and tourism sector will drive the State’s economic development in the next two years.
Expressing gratitude to the Federal government for their interest in the proposed museum rehabilitation plans, Martins affirmed Governor Alex Otti’s passion for developing all tourist sites in the State.
Ojukwu Bunker, located at Afara, and the National War Museum in Amafor Isingwu, Umuahia North LGA, are two major tourist sites in Umuahia.