Culture

Anambra losing N40bn yearly for ignoring Ogbunike cave

Published

3 years ago

August 25, 2023

A group, Team Make Ogbunike Great (TMOG) has lamented that Anambra state government was losing about N40 billion internally generated revenue (IGR) yearly, over the failure to invest on and utilise Ogbunike cave, a tourist hub in Oyi local government area of the state.

The TMOG coordinator, Dr. Harris Chuma, who disclosed this at a media parley, described the cave as a billion dollar economic hub with potential to improve the state IGR significantly if well harnessed.

He called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to consider investing in the Ogbunike cave as according to him, it would help the state diversify her economy, especially as the state will on August 27, 2023 mark her 32 years anniversary.

“It is no longer news that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO has acknowledged this fact by recognizing the Ogbunike Cave as a World Heritage Centre. This badge of honour is yet to be fully exploited by successive governments of the state, and has been lying fallow, not minding the enormous advantages therein.

“It is pertinent to note that the location of our town Ogbunike is quite strategic. With close proximities to Onitsha, Asaba Airport as well as the Anambra International Cargo Airport, it is a proof that this will be a gold mine when harnessed properly. Apart from the Cave as a structural beauty, Ogbunike Town is blessed with numerous cultural festivals like Nwafor, New Yam Festival, etc, which span across seasons and months of the year, and could be cojoined.

“An independent survey carried out by TMOG has revealed that Ogbunike Town has the potential to add N40bn annually to the economy of Anambra state, if her tourism possibilities are well harnessed. These will come from inflows from tourists, patronage of hospitality resorts and taxes from workers in the hospitality sector of the town.

“Any government interested in increasing the IGR of the state and doesn’t factor in the Ogbunike cave and other revenues surrounding the facility, including the market, parks and other businesses, is not serious. Ogbunike holds a very powerful resource base for the state. If government builds a 5-star hotel around the cave just as it did by Agulu lake, people will come from all areas of the world to explore the cave,” he stated

Related Topics:Anambra Culture Featured losing N40bn yearly

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

1 week ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”