Harnessing Our Rich Cultural Heritage (By Enyioko Chibuike) According to an online dictionary wikipedia: Culture is the characteristics of particular group of people, defined by everything, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts, while Tourism is a travel for recreational, leisure or business purpose. The above assertion has undoubtedly proved that Culture and Tourism are one body that cannot be separated especially now that Tourism has become a popular global leisure activity. It is an undisputable fact that the foresight Governor of Abia State Sir Theodore Ahamefule Orji understand the importance of Culture and Tourism to the growth of any economy when he on the 10th of August, 2010 carved among other ministries, the ministry of Culture and Tourism from the former ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism with a call to boost Abia State Tourism and increase the share of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state through Tourism. The ministry was also charged with some specific responsibility of increasing the cultural affairs development and preservation of Traditional Arts and Handicrafts, Promotion, Development and Regulation of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, to perform among others the following programme on culture, set out a day for “Igbo Day” celebration in the state where prominent sons and scholars of Igbo descents both at home and in Diaspora are invited to deliver papers, lectures and speeches on Igbo History, Arts Crafts, Culture and existence. The Igbo day celebration if taken as important will help revive the Igbo spirit of the then Ibo Union as well as promote the use of Igbo language that is predominantly facing extinction and the manner of dressing. Organize at regular intervals, coloruful arts, crafts, cultural exhibitions, festival, songs and dances in various communities of the state which will help in attracting people and tourist to the state, thereby increase the state Internally Generated Revenue. The ministry will equally seek to establish a state museum of history, art and monuments which will house research works, survey and documentation of historical and cultural sites, artifacts, practical gallery and general antiquities of historical importance. The establishment of Abia State Cultural Complex, organization of cultural seminars, workshops, symposia and colloquium on Igbo history, art and culture, encouragement of research on various aspects of Igbo arts and culture and to document same will help us know who we are. The ministry should be a major player in the development of Art, Culture, Tourism and Hospitability Industry in the quest for human development and economic growth of Abia State. Also of importance is that ministry of Culture and Tourism should encourage culture and ethical orientation of the citizen in order to build an orderly, civilized, responsible and disciplined society where core values of handwork, honesty, integrity, patriotism, human rights and justice are upheld. This ministry should rise to promote the state rich and divers cultural heritage and tourism potentials through the identification, documentation, preservation, development, marketing and the provision of enabling environment for private sector participation in the state’s tourism industry with a view to diversify the state economy and placing Abia State on the path of sustainable economic growth and development within the shortest possible time. The untapped tourism sites like, Azumini Blue River in Ukwa East, famous Long Juju of Arochukwu, Amakama Wooden Cave, Akwette Weaving Centre, in Ukwa East local government, Uloitiri (slave cell) in Bende, Isi Imo tourism site in Ummunneochi, Ngodo Cave in Isuochi, The Eke Igbere Sacred Forest, the Slave Market at Eluama Uzuakoli, Eziotiri Cave at Amaekpu Ohafia when given adequate attention and developed will no doubt boost the state’s Internally Generated Revenue and place Abia State at the fore front of Tourism. It is also imperative to preserve, document, develop and sold to the outside world the above tourist sites as a way of promoting international tourism in Abia State. Culture festivals in Osun, Lagos, Calabar and Arungugu to mention but a few put million of naira in the pockets of the states, thereby making them harness their rich cultural heritage and make Tourism a secondary economy for the states, people all over the world troop to Tobago and Trinidad every year just to witness their cultural heritage thereby putting millions of dollars in their pockets. This has served as their main source of income and has sustained them. This task of harnessing our rich cultural heritage may have surpassed previous commissioners in the ministry because of lack of proper planning or the audacity to face their challenges squarely. I pray that the selection of a renowned technocrat and cultural loving man, Elder Uzoma Onwuka will help harness these cultural potentials, break the jinx of Cultural and Tourism stagnation and put Abia State at the frontline of Tourism. Culture is the people identity and there is no other time to get it right than now. Enyioko Chibuike is the President Abia Youth League
Posted on: Fri, 29 Nov 2013 13:49:59 +0000