The Nigerian Army, through its Heritage and Future Center, has visited and inspected some heritage sites in Anambra used by the defunct Biafran Army during the Nigeria-Biafra civil war.
The war heritage sites visited for profiling were the Biafran airstrip at Uli, reconciliation house at Amichi, Ojukwu bunker at Amorka and other sites in Abagana and others.
Tourist Chief and Anambra State Commissioner for Culture, Tourism and Entertainment, Comrade Don Onyenji, led a plantoon of the military led by Major General John Sokoya on the visit.
Welcoming the team to Anambra, Commissioner Onyenji, expressed gratitude for their interest in preserving history, which he said will serve as a vital lesson for future generations.
He expressed the hope that partnership with the military in developing the heritage sites will create more human activities, animate the environment and promote tourism.
Leader of the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Center, Major General Sokoya, who expressed gratitude to Governor Chukwuma Soludo and Ndi Anambra for the warm reception given them, emphasized that their mission was not to reopen any wounds caused by the civil war, but to identify the war heritage sites in the state, preserve history for the future, and prevent a repeat of the sad history.
Dr. ABC Ojiakor, native of Uli who said he was six years old when the war broke out, said he had expected the Nigerian Army to have completed the assignment long ago, noting that the remnants of the civil war, if not destroyed or carted away, could have served as war museum.
He recounted how his father’s almost ninety-year-old house was used by the defunct Biafran Army as military and security intelligence base due to its closeness to the Uli airstrip, adding that due to heavy bombardment by the Nigerian Army preventing landing of aircraft with relief materials at the airport, each family in the community created their bunkers for safety.
Dr Orjiakor urged the Federal Government to adhere to the rule of law and release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to address insecurity in the Southeast, and create more job opportunities for the youths.
He expressed gratitude to Governor Soludo and the Nigerian Army for providing security surveillance in the community.
Highlight of the inspection visit was presentation of a plaque to Governor Soludo by the Nigerian Army which was received by the commissioner for Culture and
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