3rd April, 2017
Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo on Monday urged the Federal and State governments to invest in the existing cultural and tourism facilities in the country to create job opportunities and curb crime among the youth.
the Chairman of Ohanaeze in Anambra, Chief Damian Okeke, made the call when he led the leadership of the organization to inspect the cultural heritage and sports facilities at Rojenny Tourists and Sports centre, Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area.
Okeke decried the poor state of the zoo, games and sports facilities in the center which was built over 30 years ago.
He discouraged the acquisition of new lands and investments in similar facilities while the existing ones were collapsing.
According to him, investment in tourism and sports rather than purchasing and spending on arms and armoured vehicles would curb crime and youth restiveness in the country.
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“It is good that this facility was set up here when people were not settled around this area over 30 years ago but it is painful that it is not just being under utilized but allowed to decay.
“This place is not in line with the vision of Ezeonwuka, if it was positioned around Onitsha, Nnewi, Oba and Obosi, it could be used as a rediscovery ground for the jobless youths.
“We are calling on the Federal and state governments to as a matter of necessity come and see how they can upgrade this place and revamp the dilapidated facilities for effective utilisation.
“There is no need to try to build new amusement, wild life, sports facilities while the ones we have are collapsing,” he said.
Okeke said Ohanaeze would take the matter to Anambra government for effective action.
In his remark, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, the owner of the tourist/games facility lauded the leadership of Ohanaeze for being in the vanguard for equity and justice for all.
He said that Nigeria should take a cue from Jamaica where the talent and strength of the youth were channeled to sports.