WRITTEN BY DR. JUDE ONYIMA
Anambra state, the eightieth most populated and the second most densely populated state in Nigeria (after Lagos),
is unarguably the most endowed state in Nigeria in terms of human resources, attraction sites and surprises. Created in 1991, the state is named after Omambala River and is the only state in Nigeria that has produced the president, vice president and senate president of the federal republic.
The state is blessed with innumerable attraction sites and places of interests created by God and ones made by man. The most visited attraction site in Anambra state is the Ogbunike Cave, which is endowed with varieties of heavy rocks, scenic vegetations, attractive waterfalls and wild animals. Agulu Crocodile Lake is another popular attraction site in the state. The Lake, which is probably the best of its kind in West Africa, has more than three hundred crocodiles and water turtles. As the longest lake in Anambra state, it is surrounded by beautiful vegetation. The chameleon-like colour of the lake and carved images of crocodiles and bronze mermaid added to the glamour of this tourist’s destination.
The next site worthy of mention is the Igboukwu Museum, which houses the artifacts discovered by an English archeologist. It is important to note that in 1938, a bronze artifact that dated to ninth century was discovered at Igboukwu, ancient town renown for metal craft. The museum today serves as a historic tourist site in the archeology World and at the same time showcasing the cultural heritage of Ndigbo to the World.
Another interesting tourist destination in the state is the Rojeny Tourist village, Oba. The centre consists of an Olympic size stadium, a shrine and a swimming pool. Rojenny is popular, owing to its village serene ambience and combination of natural and man-made treasures. Odinani Museum, Nri, established jointly by the Umunri community and the Department of African Studies, University of Ibadan is another. The museum serves as a repository of the cultural heritage of the Igbos as well as numerous traditional apparatuses of the Igbo belief.
Moreover, the state is blessed with Amiagba Lake in Abatete, sitting on the deep valley channel of Nsukwu and Odida villages. This lake that cuts across Abatete and Nimo is warm and endowed with scenic vegetation that is extraordinary. There are also the Mgbuwa and Iyi Ohia streams in Abatete as well as Nri Lake, an aquatic pond with variety of aquatic creatures.
Apart from these tourist sites, Anambra is blessed with many interesting masquerades, festivals and dance groups. There is also the Holy Trinity Basilica (The only basilica in West Africa) and the Innoson Complex Nnewi, the first and only car manufacturing factory in Nigeria. The list is not complete without mentioning the Mba Farm Okija, the only place in this part of the World where there is an olive tree.
From the foregoing, it is clear that the state is richly blessed. However, only very little benefits are derived from these blessings. The major reason for such situation, apart from near neglect for many years, is lack of awareness of the existence and the potentials of these sites.
We should not wait on the government and the hosting communities alone to market these treasures; all hands must be on deck. The private sector should be handy in this direction. In developed World, the private sector develops tourist centres and derives the huge benefits there in. Anambra state should not be an exception. Industrialists and entrepreneurs should key into these hidden gold mines.
Let us rise and tell the World what we are endowed with. Let us tell our own stories without sentiments because if we do not, strangers will not do that for us.
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