And Their Spiritual Effect” The number “4” in Igbo culture denotes harmony, completeness, a perfect circle, same reason Orji (kolanut) that has been divided naturally into four (4) is perfect especially for prayers to your ancestors. The igbo market days holds a deep symbolic meaning, primarily through the four cardinal market days— Eke, Orie, Afor, and Nkwo —which represent the four essential elements of life: sun (fire), water, earth, and air, respectively. The Igbo Traditional Calendar Unlike the seven-day Gregorian calendar used worldwide, the Igbo calendar is built around a four-day week . Each week begins again after Nkwo, repeating the cycle of Eke → Orie → Afo → Nkwo . These days are not random labels but a sacred order that links people to their land, ancestors, and the spiritual world. Markets across Igboland are named after these days, and communities often identify themselves by which market day is most important to them. Dear Addicts Here – a PDF...
I was visiting my parents in the east (ABIA) and got locked down😅 due to the Covid 19 event, funny right? As the lock down began to ease a little i decided to visit the famous Ojukwu Bunker since i was already in the state.
Let's say this location is a part II to the National War Museum I went to 😋 click Here for the visit to National war musuem umuahia. The under ground escape route of the war museum leads to the ojukwu bunker but was blocked off after the Nigerian Civil war.
Getting to the location was easy and cheap, a tricycle can easily take you there, just mention where you are headed. The compound is big and looks like some chidren activities go on that the lush green park. Walking straight to where the statue of Michael Okpara and Late. Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu stood, i saw a lady at the entrance who said the entry fee is N500 with a guide ready to take you underground.
The ojukwu bunker was a hideout for the former military commander Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu where he communicated using the Radio Biafra.
The Ojukwu bunker is about 30 feet deep underground and was difficult to easily locate by the Nigerian Army during the civil war. All meetings by biafran heads were made here and information passed to the public by Odumegu Ojukwu via the Radio Biafra.
A staircase leads into the bunker where the meeting room is, there is also a nice living room, bedroom, a store and kitchen. Just like a proper apartment but underground. This was amazing to see! Fun Fact; it took just 90days to get all this done.
One would assume that the bunks would be pretty hot as its underground. Well these geniuses actually made holes with ventilator pipes allowing air in. This architectural design which was also on display was made by Frank Mbanefo There are two (2) escape routes in the planning of course, which I used one of them to leave the bunker.
There was no light in the bunker so we had to make do with flash light. This again is one of the reasons why most tourism locations are not sustainable
Link 
YOUTUBE
My Thoughts
In as much as the trip was exciting, there is a lot to be improved on. When I got into the compound, I kept trying to wrap my head round the reason why most of our tourism treasures are not regarded.
Apart from maintenance, I could vision a standard theme park for children, also an art exhibition centre/museum where some currencies used before and during the war can be displayed, where children could learn more about their history and have their fun. Personal items of Odumegu Ojukwu can be arranged and placed here too to make the trip engaging and not just the bunker
All these and much more can be infused to the whole tour process to bring this destination to its feet, this is what sustainability is all about. I hope this treasure would still be here, standing years from now.
Do not forget to watch the videos and let me know your thoughts in the comment section...... until then, STAY SAFE!
Comments
Post a Comment