Mrs Sally Mbanefo, Commissioner for Indigenous Art Works, Diaspora Affairs, Culture and Tourism in Anambra, has said her mission is to make tourism sector a major contributor to the state’s economy.

Mbanefo disclosed this when she visited Blessed Iwene Tansi tomb and Obu Gad, the historical origin of the Igbo people in Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area, on Sunday.

She said promised to use her experience in the tourism industry to activate and turn around the tourism potential of Anambra and create a good number of jobs in the sector for the youth.

The former Director-General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), said tourism sector had the potential to drive the economy of any nation.

According to her, the tour of the various tourism sites in the state is to enable her have a first-hand appreciation of what Anambra is endowed with in the sector.

Mbanefo said the Tansi tomb would be upgraded to a religious tourism site and Obu Gad site believed to be where Eri, the ancestor of Igbo, settled.

The commissioner said the tomb, which had already been acclaimed an international tourism site, would be made a world class tourists’ destination.

“The importance of the visit is to pay tribute to the land and to recognise and appreciate Aguleri for its rich cultural heritage sites.

“We are going to make sure that the tomb of Blessed Iwene Tansi is turned into a religious tourism site.

“Tourism is the greatest employer of labour and it contributes a lot to the gross demotic product of other countries of the world.

“So, my vision here is to use my wealth of experience to make Anambra Centre of Tourism in Nigeria,” she said.

Igwe Chukwuemeka Eri, the Traditional Ruler of Enugu-Aguleri, who received the commissioner to the ancient town, congratulated her on her appointment.

He expressed confidence that she had the technocracy to revamp the sector.

Eri urged the state government to promote the Aguve Tree, otherwise known as Trinity Tree, by documenting all the historical evidences of its mystery and stores behind it and Obu Gad.

He also urged Gov. Willie Obiano to fulfil his promise to construct the roads leading to tourism sites, to enhance access to them as well as alleviate the suffering of the people in the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commissioner visited the Owerri Ezukala Cave and Waterfall, a UNESCO-approved heritage site, as part of her tour of natural and historical tourism sites in the state. (NAN)

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