Tourism stakeholders in South-Eastern Nigeria have commended the Enugu State Government and the Centre for Memories – Ncheta Ndigbo for securing a $125,000 grant from the United States Government to preserve and promote the historic Lejja Iron-Smelting Site in Enugu State.
The stakeholders described the intervention as a significant milestone in cultural heritage preservation and tourism development, saying it would draw international attention to the South-East’s rich historical and cultural assets.
Speaking on behalf of the stakeholders, the Vice President, South-East, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Wilson Uche Ugwu, congratulated the Enugu State government and the Centre for Memories on the grant.
Ugwu said the development was an indication that sustained efforts to promote tourism and preserve the Igbo heritage were beginning to attract international recognition.
“This is indeed a significant milestone for tourism and cultural heritage development in the South-East. We are deeply grateful to the government of the United States of America, the Enugu State government and the Centre for Memories for their commitment to preserving our heritage and showcasing these important assets to the world.”
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“The grant should serve as a catalyst for stronger collaboration among governments, tourism stakeholders, host communities, development partners and the private sector. This is not the end of the journey; it is a call for more work and more collaborations for greater results. We must build on this momentum by attracting more investment, improving tourism infrastructure, preserving more heritage sites and creating sustainable tourism opportunities across the South-East,” Ugwu opined.
The stakeholders also commended institutions, partners and individuals whose efforts contributed to securing the grant, reaffirming their commitment to initiatives that promote the people, culture and history of the Igbos.
They stressed that preserving Lejja means more than safeguarding history. It’s about creating a sustainable cultural tourism hub that can boost the local economy, education, and heritage for future generations.
The stakeholders further expressed optimism that Lejja intervention could serve as a model for preserving and developing other cultural and heritage sites across the South-East.
