Otti Reaffirms Commitment to Abia’s Cultural Heritage

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to preserving and promoting the state’s rich cultural and historical heritage as part of efforts to make Abia a leading destination for education, tourism, and cultural preservation.

Governor Otti gave the assurance while receiving a delegation from the National Museum Commission, Abuja, who visited the state to inspect Government College Umuahia. The inspection is part of the process for the school’s proposed inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, described the initiative as timely and in line with his administration’s vision of improving education, protecting historical landmarks, and promoting tourism in the state.

He assured the delegation of the Abia State Government’s full cooperation throughout the inscription process and expressed confidence that the partnership would produce positive results.

Governor Otti also said his administration is making major investments in physical infrastructure and public institutions across the state. He encouraged the delegation to visit other historical and tourist sites in Abia to see the government’s development efforts and the state’s rich cultural heritage.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Tourism, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr. Matthew Ekwuribe, said the ministry has been working closely with the National Museum Commission on the renovation and upgrading of the National War Museum and the Ojukwu Bunker.

He explained that the inspection followed a request by the Government College Umuahia Old Boys Association for the school to be recognised as a national heritage monument and considered for UNESCO World Heritage status.

Also speaking, Mr. Ugochukwu Okoroafor said Abia is blessed with many important cultural and historical sites. He commended Governor Otti for his strong commitment to preserving and promoting the state’s cultural heritage.

The leader of the delegation, Mr. Chukwudi Onwudinanti, said the team was in Abia to assess Government College Umuahia as part of the evaluation process for its proposed designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The visit featured presentations showcasing Abia’s tourism potential and historical landmarks. It was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Godwin Okezuo, other senior government officials, and key stakeholders.

By Ndubueze Ngozi

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