NTDC to develop Ogbunike cave - As DG calls for Unity among Igbo
By Wale Ojo-Lanre just back from Dubai - updated: Wednesday 10-06-2009


DG NTDC Otunba Segun Runsewe,
receiving HRH Igwe John Ositadinma
Umenyiora (Okpala Igwu), who visited the
Tourism village recently.The Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, has promised that the corporation would send experts to Ogbunike in Anambra State with a view to developing the cave in the area. He disclosed this recently in Abuja while playing host to the royal fathers from the area who paid him a visit in his office at Tourism Village.

Otunba Runsewe stressed that “If there is one zone or area that has not really felt the impact of tourism, it is the East, despite the abundant tourism potentials in the region”. In the words of the NTDC boss, “we must understand that this country must move forward, therefore, the era of deceiving ourselves is over”.

The NTDC, helmsman expatiated further that “There is no way you can talk of tourism without having something to show for it. Your coming here today is special”.

According to the DG, “we have wasted over 20 years behind in tourism which, of course, explains why the present NTDC management is proactive and unrelenting in its efforts to move the sector forward as fast as possible.”

In the words of the DG, “you have brought a fantastic product to us”. He assured his royal guests that the NTDC would address the developmental issues related to the cave without delay. He further affirmed that when the cave is fully developed, it would provide jobs for the youth in the area. According to him, “you cannot reduce crime without providing employment”.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, who is also the Igwe of Ogbunike, HRH, Igwe John Ositadinma “Umenyiova, Ezedioramma 1 of Ogbunike, unformed the NTDC boss that they were in his office to solicit his assistance on the development of the cave. The Igwe affirmed that the DG was a pragmatic leader and had been able to effect positive changes in the tourism sector within a short space of time. His words, “I have seen that you are a man of action, I have seen what you are doing the in- Tourism sector”.

The royal father, who described the Ogbunike cave as unique and as the only type in the whole of West Africa, stressed that if well developed, it would generate a lot of foreign exchange for the country.

He explained that the cave has an indelible ink which mortalises one’s name just by touching the sands to write anything on the wall. He further explained that during the dry season, the cave usually experiences constant rain fall.

The Igwe further explained that the Cave also has a pool beside it with so many tunnels and channels. He advised that the NTDC should give the cave a bit of African flavour while developing it.

The Igwe of Ogbunike was accompanied on the visit by members of his palace chiefs.
In another development, the Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe has charged traditional rulers in the South East geo-political zone to always maintain unity among various Igbo communities. The NTDC boss made this known recently when he received in audience prominent traditional rulers from South-East, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Tourism Village , Abuja .

Otunba Runsewe recalled with regret the unfortunate incident that marred the 2007 Iwaiji cultural festival at Igboukwu, which was truncated due to disagreement between some traditional rulers outside Igboukwu. He explained that if unity was achieved in the zone, it would attract tremendous cultural and tourism development in the communities.

According to him, “I have very tremendous respect for Igbo communities. I am very proud to work with this community”, he stressed.

He described the Idu II of Igboukwu, HRM Igwe (Dr.) Martin Nwafor Eze, as a unique leader because of his interest for his people. Otunba Runsewe stressed that the corporation had big plans for the cultural festival.

The NTDC helmsman assured his royal guests from the East that very soon, the corporation would come out with a masquerade festival which would be targeted at attracting tourists to the zone.

According to him: “The time has come for us to celebrate our own”. As part of NTDC’s contribution to the 2009 Igboukwu Yam cultural festival, the NTDC boss promised that the corporation would donate trophies to the festival, build crafts and arts centres for local weaving and hair plaiting to empower the people, where the corporation would also produce a special documentary on Anambra State which would be donated to the community and, in addition, he said there would be a special branding of the festival this year.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, HRM Igwe Martin Nwafor Eze Idu II of Igboukwu in Aguata Local government Area of Anambra State, assured the NTDC boss that the people were more united than before and that the ugly experience of last year would not repeat itself. He added that the presence of a representatives from Ambassador Ralph Uwechue, the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, was a pointer to the fact that this year’s Iwaji Igbo would be celebrated and embraced by all Igbos.

His Royal Majesty commended NTDC for the completion of the National Yam House which had been commissioned and donated to the community by the Corporation.

According to the Idu II, “we are here to inform you that we are ready to host the world again on August, 27 to 29, 2009 at National Yam House, Igboukwu for the most prestigious Iwaji Igbo National Festival”. He explained that they had made arrangement for the hosting of over 13 states of Nigeria that have yam culture.

He further stated that this year’s festival would feature a lot of competitions among various groups such as “Tourism Friendly Town , Best Choral Group, Best Palm Wine Tapper, Best Farmer and best Wrestler, among others.

The leader of the delegation further revealed that great sites would be visited within the festival period, such as the National Museums, National Gallery of Art, Omogho white Lake , Oweerezukala Wonderful Fall and Cave, and a host of others.

The royal delegation to the NTDC headquarters included the Eze Igbo of Lagos and his counterpart in Abuja as well as the Special Assistant to the President General, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Mr Azuka Osakwe.

are these the caves mentioned in The Wages of Sin- that pacesetter book.

where one lady was pankshing a boyfriend.

Nice novel, though i didnt like the ending.