Soludo Targets Global Tourism as Anambra Moves to Transform Ogbunike Cave, Agulu Lake into World-Class Destinations

By Our Reporter

The Anambra State Government has unveiled an ambitious tourism development plan that will transform some of the state’s most iconic natural attractions into world-class destinations, a move expected to boost visitor numbers, create thousands of jobs and stimulate economic growth.

The Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Barr. Amedu Udoji, disclosed the plans during the Ask the Commissioner live programme on ABS Awka on July 23, where he outlined the government’s vision for expanding tourism under Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Solution 2.0 agenda.

According to the commissioner, the initiative builds on the achievements recorded during the administration’s first term and is designed to unlock the economic potential of Anambra’s rich cultural and natural heritage through strategic investment in tourism infrastructure.

“Our goal is to transform Anambra into a destination of choice by developing world-class tourism facilities that will attract visitors, create employment and drive economic growth,” Barr. Udoji said.

Highlighting the administration’s commitment to tourism, Barr. Udoji pointed to Solution Fun City as a major success story. He revealed that although the project was not included in the government’s original development blueprint, Governor Soludo completed and commissioned the facility, which has since become one of Anambra’s leading centres for recreation and leisure.

He noted that while Anambra is naturally blessed with remarkable tourist attractions, beautiful landscapes alone are no longer enough to compete in today’s global tourism industry.

“Tourists do not only come to see natural attractions. They also expect good roads, quality accommodation, entertainment centres and modern recreational facilities that make their visit worthwhile,” he explained.

The commissioner identified Ogbunike Cave and Owere Ezukala Cave and Waterfalls as two of Anambra’s most valuable tourism assets, describing them as destinations with enormous potential to attract both domestic and international tourists.

He noted that Owere Ezukala, widely regarded as one of the largest cave systems in the region, possesses exceptional tourism value that has yet to be fully explored.

To unlock that potential, the state government plans to upgrade the sites with improved access roads, modern visitor facilities and recreational infrastructure that will significantly enhance the tourist experience.

Barr. Udoji further disclosed that the government intends to transform Ogbunike Cave into a major tourism hub featuring luxury resorts, five-star hotels and other leisure facilities designed to encourage visitors to spend more time in the state and contribute to the local economy.

He added that Agulu Lake is also earmarked for comprehensive development under the tourism expansion programme, expressing optimism that several of the projects would be completed before the expiration of Governor Soludo’s Solution 2.0 administration.

Beyond tourism infrastructure, the commissioner announced fresh initiatives aimed at strengthening the state’s creative and entertainment sector.

He revealed that the government is partnering with ANAWOOD to train young actors and other entertainment professionals, with the objective of building local capacity and creating more opportunities within the creative economy.

Barr. Udoji also disclosed plans to introduce a Censorship Law that will regulate the entertainment industry, promote professionalism, uphold production standards and improve tax compliance among practitioners.

The live programme also featured the Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr. Law Mefor, who joined the discussion and responded to questions from residents.

The interactive session allowed citizens from across Anambra State to participate through telephone calls and text messages, providing a platform for direct engagement between government officials and the public.

The planned tourism projects underscore the Soludo administration’s drive to diversify Anambra’s economy by leveraging its cultural heritage, natural attractions and creative industry to attract investment, generate employment and increase internally generated revenue.