Abia State Aims for UNESCO Heritage Site Recognition

The Abia State Government has named some cultural and natural sites as state heritage and monuments. This is part of their plan to get these sites recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Okey Kanu, the Commissioner for Information, shared this news with reporters after a State Executive Council meeting on Monday in Umuahia.

Mr Kanu explained that the State Executive Council approved the declaration of these sites to help preserve and promote them better.

The sites now recognized as state monuments include the National War Museum, Ojukwu Bunker, and Government College, all located in Umuahia.

He also mentioned that the Ibom Waterfall in Arochukwu and the Ulochukwu Caves at Alayi Bende are now state natural monuments.

Mr Kanu believes that elevating these sites will boost their tourism potential and help them get recognized as UNESCO heritage sites.

He also said that Aba has been named a “Creative and Innovative City.” This move aims to promote the cultural, creative, and tourism potential of the state.

The retrofitting work at the Ojukwu Bunker and National War Museum is about 80 percent done. Mr Kanu expects the work to finish before the end of 2026.

Once completed, these projects will preserve the historical value of the sites. They will also improve the experience for visitors and increase tourism.

Mr Kanu mentioned that the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy has started developing the Ibom Waterfall Tourism corridor in Arochukwu.

He said that initial work, like grading the access roads to the waterfall, has started. This project is also expected to finish before the end of 2026.

According to him, this project will create more tourism and economic opportunities in Abia State.

He added that the ministry is putting up monuments in important locations across the state to honor Abia's heritage and its heroes and heroines.

One of the monuments will celebrate the heroines of the 1929 Aba Women’s Uprising. It aims to recognize their courage, resilience, and leadership.

Mr Kanu stated that these initiatives show the state government’s commitment to preserving its historical and cultural assets. They also aim to use these assets to boost tourism and economic growth.