By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has described the state as the safest in the country, as well as the most conducive and most lucrative for investments.
Governor Soludo stated this at the first Anambra Picnic and Funfair, held over the week at the Anambra Film Village, in Awka, the state capital.
The well-attended event, which attracted both the old and the young alike, was organized by the state government, through the Ministry of Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism, in collaboration with the Anambra State Tourism Volunteers Network — a network of tourism enthusiasts primarily concerned with general promotion of tourism and its benefits.
Speaking at the event, Governor Soludo, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism, Mr. Don Onyenji, explored and lauded the world-class tourism potentials of Anambra that stand it out among other states in Nigeria.
According to him, tourism globally has become the gas and oil of nations. He also envisioned that, if by the commitments of the present administration in the state, the tourism sector in Anambra State is fully developed, Anambra would be next to the richest state in the country within a shortest period of time.
He also revealed that the current administration in the State has impacted a lot on the lives of Ndị Anambra, both in terms of infrastructural development, human capital development and also in terms of GDP — quality of life, and others; further adding that these are parts of the reasons the state currently ranks number one in southern Nigeria in the data about the ease of doing business.
Commissioner Onyenji further noted that the present administration has intentionally embraced tourism project and also committed billions of naira in tourism development in the state, both through its policies, programmes, and physical projects. He further emphasized that every part of the Anambra State is currently a work-in-progress. These commitments, he highlighted, include the massive transformation works that have taken place and are still ongoing in Okpoko, the building of the largest and greenest state-owned Government House and Lodge in Nigeria, simultaneous construction and upgrading of many general hospitals and other health facilities in different parts of the State, and massive road constructions in every nook and cranny of the state, among many others.
Continuing, Mr. Onyenji said these efforts and others are encapsulated in Mr. Governor’s vision of making Anambra a prosperous and liveable homeland — where to live, work, relax and have fun. He added that another set of outstanding steps in the Governor’s numerous efforts towards achieving this vision include the ongoing building of the Solution Fun City Awka (SFCA) which is the first of its kind in the Sub-Saharan Africa, with some special features like country club, amusement park, sports facilities, among others; Neighbourhood Leisure Park, Awka; the commencement of the building of a gigantic ten-storey hotel in Awka.
“The development of the Solution Fun City alone will create numerous job opportunities and serve as a central hub for leisure and tourism in the state,” Onyenji stated.
According to the Commissioner, apart from the Solution Fun City, Governor Soludo has undertaken other significant projects aimed at boosting Anambra’s tourism appeal, such as the retrofitting and expansion of the Igboukwu Museum that houses a rich collection of Igbo cultural artifacts; the development of the Agulu Lake Leisure Park, and plans for an artificial beach at the Lake. He also expressed confidence that these projects would further enhance Anambra’s reputation as a top tourist destination in Nigeria.
He further harped on the state government’s efforts to promote rural tourism by profiling and developing heritage sites across various communities, highlighting some of the sites to include: Ogbunike Cave, Owerre-Ezukala Waterfalls, Anam Sand Beach, and the historic Ojukwu Bunker in Amorka, which played a pivotal role during the Nigerian Civil War, among others.
The Commissioner, who also unveiled the Anambra State Chapter of the Tourism Volunteers Network at the event on behalf of Governor Soludo, further mentioned that partnerships are being formed with with relevant stakeholders, both at the global, national, and local levels, to boost Anambra’s tourism sector. He added that liaison is also ongoing with different local communities in the State to create leisure parks, with the aim of ensuring that tourism development extends beyond the urban centers and gets to the grassroots.
“Anambra State is home to numerous natural and historical treasures that are yet to be fully explored. Our goal is to bring these attractions to the forefront, not just for entertainment or for tourism development, but also to preserve our rich cultural heritage,” he said.
He also added that the Governor’s declaration of free education from nursery to secondary schools (which has encouraged education tourism); and his declaration of free antenatal and free delivery in all public hospitals in the state (which has encouraged health tourism), have also contributed to this vision.
The Commissioner therefore called on investors to think Anambra, emphasizing that the state does not only have many tourism potentials and investment opportunities, but is the safest and most conducive state for investments in the country.
Also speaking, the Nigeria’s Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John, represented by the Executive Director of Tourism Volunteers Network, Ambassador Phil Robert, lauded the Anambra’s tourism potentials, and further commended the state government’s ingenuity and commitment towards supporting and boosting tourism in the state.
He further cautioned on the media practitioners to be mindful of what and how they report about Anambra State, especially on the aspect of security, in order not create bad impression about the state and consequently scare away potential investors.
In their separate remarks, the Chairman, Awka South Local Government, Prince Chinedu Okafor; former member representing Anambra East/West Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon. Chinedu Obidigwe; the Director of Tourism at the State Ministry of Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism, Mrs. Chioma Afuba; the State Coordinator of Anambra Tourism Volunteers Network, Chidi Uzowulu; and a tourism expert, Dr. Chimezi Odum, attested that Anambra has many natural endowments in the tourism sector. They hailed the present administration in the state for its efforts so far in developing and harnessing these, even as they also joined their respective voices to beacon on investors and tourists to always think Anambra whenever thinking about investment and tourism destination.
Also present at the event were the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA), Engr. Mike Ozoemena; the Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Awka South Local Government Area, Hon. Lawrence Chukwuma; among others dignitaries.
Swimming by kids, games at different play grounds, purchases and merriments at various sales spots, official unveiling and launching of the Anambra State Chapter of the Tourism Volunteers Network, cutting of cake, special musical performances and cultural displays by the Flexible Tonic Concept kids and the Panda Entertainment Dancers; as well as touring of the various parts Anambra Film Village by the guests, among others, formed the high point of the event.
More photos from the event:
