ABIA – The State Executive Council has given approval for the comprehensive retrofitting and upgrade of the historic Ojukwu Bunker and the National War Museum, Umuahia.
Briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, said the approval follows the successful conclusion of agreements between the National Commission for Museums and Monuments and the State Government, through the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy.
He said the initiative reflects the present administration’s commitment to preserve the State’s history and unlock its vast tourism potential, noting that the intervention will also create employment and business opportunities for Abians.
Prince Kanu noted that the government’s intervention on the two Nigeria’s most notable Civil War heritage sites, reinforces the State Government’s unwavering commitment to preserve the history while elevating the State’s tourist potential, which will further provide employment and business opportunities for Abians.
Contributing, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr Mattew Ekwuribe, who said that the project aligns with Governor Otti’s campaign promises, said that the retrofitting of the Ojukwu Bunker and the National War Museum was delayed because both facilities belong to the Federal Government.
He said the State is working closely with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments and the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy to conclude the necessary Memorandum of Agreements before the commencement of the project.
Mr Ekwuribe assured that work would begin in no distant time, announcing that the State Government has also commenced the refurbishing of monuments in Umuahia and Aba as part of its cultural renewal agenda for the state.
