Igbo-Ukwu Museum:
Igboukwu Museum is located in Aguata LGA of Anambra State and features some of the oldest yet most sophisticated bronze castings in Nigeria.
Igbo-ukwu bronze casting which is a world renowned artifacts is dated far back as 9th century A.D. It is a bronze casting that was accidentally discovered by Isaiah Anozie in 1939 which was later fully excavated and studied by Charles Thurstan Shaw a British archaeologist. This research earned Shaw an award of Commander of the British Empire (CBE). Shaw’s excavation reveals a 9th century indigenous Igbo culture that did highly sophisticated work in bronze metalwork centuries before other sites that were better known at the time of discovery that are devoid of any Arab or European influence. A visit to the Museum is so revealing that one marvels at the bronze creation of Igbo civilization. The Museum houses many artifacts like ancient pots, traditional musical instruments, cowries and other items adorned with intricate designs made by the skilled Igbo-Ukwu bronze casters.
Ogbunike Cave: Ogbunike Cave, a wonder to behold is a 100% natural cave located at Ogbunike in Oyi local government of Anambra state. The site features sprawl of caves with many chambers; the major entrance measures about 10x5m. Visitors are immersed with the captivating beauty of the surrounding faunas of the rain forest and the bat colonies which inhabit the cave gives tourists a scintillating thrill. An amazing scene of confluence of two tributaries of spring, one cold and the other hot emerges at the heart of the cave. Owing to its history and beautiful scenery the cave was declared one of the 7 natural wonders in Nigeria and is included in the United Nations tentative list of Heritage Sites.
Aguve Miracle Tree/Obu Gad:
The Aguve Miracle Tree marks the memorial burial site of the second Igbo King, EzeAguve. EzeAguve was the son of Eri the fifth son of Gad, who was the seventh son of Jacob. Eri, who is believed to be the progenitor of the Igbo people, is said to have left Egypt with some of his kin before the Exodus of the Jewish people from that land and settled on the Omambala River in present day Aguleri. The Aguve Miracle Tree is believed to have sprout miraculously some 2960 years ago, twenty-one days after EzeAguve was buried at the spot. It consists of three giant trees that share one root. It is tradition for EzeEri and other notable Igbo kings to be crowned at Obu Gad where direct male descendants of Eri, sit on the throne of Eri and rule with his Ofo.
The cultural cum religious significant of this Aguve Miracle Tree/ Obu Gad to the people cannot be literally overemphasized, for it is believed to be an embodiment of strong spiritual powers that heals, protects and brings good fortunes. People that have visited the site who believed in its powers attest to this fact. Government have concluded plans to develop this site because of the cultural cum religious tourism potentials it holds for the state.
Owerre-Ezukala Cave and Waterfalls:
Owerre-Ezukala Cave and Waterfalls which is also known by the locals as Ogba-ukwu cave is a natural rock formation believed to be the largest in West Africa. It has two entrances and exit routes with one stretching about 2 kilometers to Oji River, in Enugu State. A tour of the cave is a non-stop adventure which takes about two hours with intermittently spurs of emerging tunnels from the centre of the cave that leads to several compartments in the cave. These compartments still hold some naturally engraved artifacts by the rock like an elephant’s foot, a gun and spanner made of stone. The cave houses also a very deep well called OgbaEkezu in which no one who enters ever emerges from. A visit to the cave is an exhilarating experience which leaves all visitors with a deep sense of awe.
Agulu Lake:
This Lake is a wonderful manifestation of natural eco-tourism. Agulu Lake is a home for about 300 crocodiles, turtles and many other aquatic animals. The locals hold the lake to be very sacred as no fishing is allowed in the lake. Visitors are thrilled at the sight of the crocodiles as they craw from the lake to the dry land to warm themselves under the rays of sunlight. There is a government owned Five Star hotel at the lake where visitors can relax and relish the beautiful scenery of the basking crocodiles and turtles.
Other tourist sites include:
Zik’s Mausoleum – Onitsha
Rojenny Tourist and Games Village – Oba
Obutu Lake – Ndikelionwu
Omambala sand beach
And many others.
