Politician and legal luminary, Chief Mike Ahamba, (SAN), has urged the Federal and State governments to preserve the various monument centres in the country while developing the states.

Chief Ahamba said this in the light of the destruction of some monuments in different states of the federation in the name of development, which according to him could serve as tourists attraction and means of revenue generation for the country.

The erstwhile Minority Chief Whip of Imo State House of Assembly who made the statement Wednesday at the Waka About Africa 5th Anniversary Conference in Lagos, said “while we appreciate the need to develop some parts of the states, we should see the need to preserve our monuments as legacies for future generations and as tourists attraction.”

He spoke on the theme, ‘ICT and Finance as Catalyst for Tourism and Culture in a Diversified Economy’.

“If we are talking about economic diversification, tourism will be one aspect we need to look into. But, in some states you cannot find some of the monuments standing because they have pulled down all in the name of developing the states.

“Our people must see the need to preserve our attractions. The first storey building in Lagos is still standing today and attracting visitors but, if it had been destroyed the legacy would have gone for good,” he said.

He posited that the country must learn to preserve the things that attract people noting that, “even in development we should observe the monuments that have the capacity to attract people and that will serve as legacy for the generation unborn so we should stop destroying everything in the name of development.”

He listed some of the centres to include; the burial sites of the late former President of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and the erstwhile Biafran leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, among others. He observed that in other climes, sites like these generate huge revenues.

On his part, Ikechukwu Amechi, Publisher of The Niche Online Newspaper, said there has to be a coordinated efforts by the Nigerian Communications Commission, tourism and finance and the government has to play a major role of tourism must thrive in the country.

“In South Africa, the government makes more money from tourism than in any other sectors. At every point in time, they are organising tours and taking one to different places for sight-seeing and in the process earning revenue for the country,” he said adding that, Nigeria can equally benefit from the sector if we make our monuments tourists attraction.”

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said any one who is still relying on oil is not thinking outside the box.

The Minister, who was represented by Mrs. Damaris Bavueza, Director HRM, National Theatre/National Troupe of Nigeria, said there are so many tourists materials in the country that have not been used and hopes that Waka About will help in bridging the gap.

“With social media one can reach anywhere without physically being there. This has become possible because some people sat and thought it out, without thinking outside the box, we will not get things done,” he said.

•Photo shows, L-R; Okey ogunjiofor, film maker and actor; Chinyere Ogidi, Publisher, Waka About Africa; Reuben Mouka, PR, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC); Chief Mike Ahamba, Chairman of the occasion; Damaris M. Bavueza, Director HRM, National Theatre/National Troupe of Nigeria, representative of the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and a guest.