The Anambra State House of Assembly has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to direct the Commissioner for Culture, Tourism and Entertainment to
declare and designate the National Yam House in Igboukwu as a tourism and festival centre.
The resolution followed a motion moved during Thursday’s plenary by the member representing Aguata two Constituency, Dr. Tony Muobike.
Presenting the motion, Muobike noted that Nigeria’s three major ethnic groups, the Igbo, Hausa/Fulani and Yoruba, each have distinct cultural festivals recognized at the national level.
Muobike recalled that while the Argungu Fishing Festival represents the Hausa/Fulani culture and the Osun-Osogbo Festival represents the Yoruba culture, the Iri Ji Ndị Igbo Festival in Igboukwu serves as the national cultural festival for the Igbo people.
According to him, following the Federal Government’s declaration of Iri Ji Ndị Igbo as a national festival on October 4, 2007, the National Yam House was established at Etiti Village, Igboukwu, to serve as the national secretariat for yam festivals in Nigeria.
He further outlined several federal initiatives linked to the festival, including the establishment of the Annual National Art Exhibition, the Centre for African Arts and Civilisation (CAAC), the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), the National Gallery of Art (NGA), the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) office, and the Nigerian Arts and Cultural Directory Project in Igboukwu.
Muobike also highlighted Igboukwu’s historical significance, particularly the discovery of the famous Igbo-Ukwu Bronzes, dating back to around 900 AD and regarded among Africa’s oldest known artifacts.
He added that the National Root Crops Research Institute had established the National Yam Information and Research Centre in Igboukwu and adopted the community as a Yam Festival Village.
The lawmaker argued that the National Yam House possesses immense potential to become a major tourism destination capable of attracting visitors, promoting Igbo cultural heritage and boosting the state’s economy if properly developed and managed.
Supporting the motion, Anayo Okpalaeke, Obi Nweke, Emma Nwafor, Augustine Ike, Patrick Udoba and Majority Leader, Ikenna Ofodeme emphasized that the project could generate significant revenue and strengthen Anambra’s position as a leading cultural and tourism destination.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, commended Muobuike for sponsoring the motion and disclosed that the Assembly would undertake an oversight visit to the facility.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that
the House subsequently adjourned plenary until June 18, 2026.
