Message from the Abia State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy On the Occasion of World Heritage Day 2025 with the theme, “Heritage Under Threat from Disasters and Conflicts: Preparedness and Learning from 60 Years of ICOMOS Actions”.
Today, the Abia State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy joins the global community to mark World Heritage Day 2025.
This year’s theme, “Heritage Under Threat from Disasters and Conflicts: Preparedness and Learning from 60 Years of ICOMOS Actions”, invites us to reflect deeply on the fragility of our cultural legacy and the shared responsibility to protect it.
“World Heritage Day is a reminder that conflict and disaster continue to pose real threats to our shared history. Abia is not exempt. Our focus today is preparedness – engaging communities, strengthening policies, and learning from global frameworks like ICOMOS to protect our irreplaceable heritage.”
In Abia State, heritage is not just our past but our living identity. Our state is home to over 55 cultural and historical heritage sites, each with stories of courage, creativity, resistance, and spirituality.
From the National War Museum and Ojukwu’s Bunker to the sacred Azumili Blue River, Ibom Waterfall, the Long Juju of Arochukwu, the hallowed grounds of the Aba Women’s Protest, Ulochukwu Cave, and Obeaku City Lake, these sites remain both national treasures and potential hubs for cultural tourism and economic development.
As part of our ongoing commitment, we are working to identify, document, and preserve these landmarks, while opening them up to responsible investment and partnerships. Abia’s heritage landscape is ready to be harnessed – not only for historical preservation but also for sustainable development, community empowerment, and global visibility.
We encourage all stakeholders, traditional custodians, local communities, youth, policymakers, and private investors to join us in this mission. Our heritage must be preserved, not only to honour our past but to inspire our future.
Happy World Heritage Day.
Signed:
Hon. Matthew C. Ekwuribe
Honourable Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy
Abia State.
