South-East tourism stakeholders have commended the Enugu State Government and the Centre for Memories – Ncheta Ndigbo for securing a US$125,000 grant from the Government of the United States of America towards the preservation and promotion of the historic Lejja Iron-Smelting site in Enugu State.
The stakeholders described the intervention as a significant milestone for cultural heritage preservation and tourism development in the South-East, noting that it will further attract international attention to the region’s rich historical and cultural assets.
Speaking on behalf of South-East tourism 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, describing the grant as a strong indication that the sustained efforts to advance tourism development in the region are beginning to receive the attention and recognition they deserve.
According to him, “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.”*
Ugwu further stated that the development 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 collaborative efforts 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,” he said.
The stakeholders also commended all institutions, partners, and individuals whose efforts contributed to securing the grant while reaffirming their commitment to initiatives that promote the people, culture, and history of the South-East.
They noted that the preservation of Lejja is not only about protecting an important historical site but also about creating a sustainable cultural tourism asset capable of contributing to local economic development, education, and intergenerational heritage preservation.
South-East tourism dtakeholders believe that the Lejja intervention can become a model for the preservation and development of other cultural and heritage sites across the region.
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