Enugu's Major Tourist Attractions
Enugu State is
enormously endowed with tourist resources, facilities and potentials. These
abound in natural features likes, caves, waterfalls, springs and hills, as well
as man-made features like hotels, telecommunication and transportation outfits,
galleries, and monumental or archeological collections. The State’s cultural
performances and recent technological developments/ innovations also hold
attractions for tourists.
Lakes
- Nike Lake, Enugu Metropolis: Managed by Protea Hotels, Nike Lake was
developed as a 5-star hotel.
- Opi Lakes, Opi-Agu, Nsukka: A conglomeration of 8 lakes yet to be
developed as a tourist site
- Obinofia Ndiuno Lakes, Ezeagu Area: Land still exists in virgin form
- Ngebe Lakes, Nkanu Area: Land still exists in virgin form
- Attakwu Lake, Nkanu Area
- Obanukwu Lake, Nkanu Area
- Odoro Lake, Oji-River
- Iheneke Lake
Iheneke Lake
Caves
- Obinofia Ndiuno Caves, Ezeagu Area: 3km of caves about 3000 years old
- Odor-Ugwu Cave, Ezeagu Area
- Ogba Umuogubi Cave, Ezeagu Area
- Ogbo Gwoo Gwoo Cave, Ezeagu
- Ogba Ihunekweagu, Akpugo, Nkanu
- Inyi Chine Cave, Udi
- Isu Awaa Cave, Awgu
- Odoro Caves, Oji-River Area
- Ogba Agana Cave, Ezeagu
Inside the Awhum Cave
Sand Beaches
- Nyaba Beach, Attakwu, Nkanu
Nyaba Sand Beach
Palaces
- Unateze Palace, Naram Nkanu: One of the recognized historical sites in
Nigeria
Hills
- Milken Hills, Enugu Metropolis
- Awgu Hills, Awgu Area
- Nsukka Hills, Nsukka Area
- Udi Hills, Udi Area
Shrines
- Ugwu Owere Abia, Udi Area
- Eka Ana, Udi Area
- Ega-Aga, Udi Area
- Isi Ujulu, Udi Area
- Ugwu Enechhi, Udi Area
- "wonderful stone", Udi Area
Coal Mines
- Okpara Mine, Akwuke
- Onyeama Mine, Iva Valley Area
Museums
- National Commission for Museums and Monuments Enugu Museum, Enugu
Metropolis
Forest Reserves
- Pine Forest Reserve, Udi Area
- Eucalyptus Reserve, Okpara Square, Enugu Metropolis
Zoological
Gardens
- Enugu Zoo, Enugu Metropolis: In the process of relocation to a larger
site
Parks
- Polo Park, Enugu Metropolis: full amusement facilities
- Okpara Square, Enugu Metropolis: government ceremonial park
- Ngwo Street Park, Enugu Metropolis
- Murtala Mohamed Park
Existing Tourist Events:
a) Mmanwu Festival
Masquerade (manwu) festivals are exhibited mostly in the form of Odo and
Omaba festivals throughout the state. Masquerades represent a ceremonial
reincarnation of the dead ancestors of the people. Each community observes
either of these and in accordance with native calendars. The ceremonies present
colourful array of panoplied masquerades, which entertain through dances and
exhibition of extra-human feats.
The State Government organises an annual masquerade festival in November,
which involves masquerade groups from the various Local Government Areas of the
State (and sometimes from Sister State). The festival usually attracts tourists
and vacationers in large numbers to Enugu.
b) The Iri Ji (New Yam) Festival
This is another festival with high social significance, which is carried out
by various communities. It is organised to mark the beginning of the Harvest
season in each farming year. The festival usually takes place between August and
November depending on the local calendars of the various communities.
Like the Manwu festival, the Iri Ji festival is sometimes organised at the
State level at the instance of the State Government. The festival is usually
marked with colourful display of cultural dances amidst "ritualistic" rites
including roasting and eating of new yams. This ceremony also attracts various
dignitaries and tourists from within and outside the State.
Others
Chieftancy Coronation Ceremonies
These involve a stipulated
period of initiation, culminating in the installation rite carried out by titled
men, the elders and initiates on behalf of the community.
The Ozo Title taking Ceremonies These also involve "ritualistic" initiation
rite. The ceremony lifts the initiates to a greater position of social
significance within the socio-political structure of a community.
The Traditional Marriage Ceremonies
During these ceremonies, the bride is
betrothed to the groom in a befitting and colourful traditional ceremony amidst
witnesses.
Funeral Ceremonies
During which relations and friends of the deceased pay
their last respect to the dead and commiserate with the bereaved in very
colourful ceremonies marked with the singing of dirges and traditional
dances.
Cultural Troupes
These are esteemed traditional dances such as the
Ikorodo Dancing troupe, the Atilogwu Dancers and the State’s Cultural Troupe to
mention but a few. They are graceful cultural performance groups to behold.
These social events attract tourists to the State.
Potential Tourist Events
These are activities and life patterns of the
people of Enugu State that have tourist potentials, but which apparently are not
yet developed as tourist events. Some of these are traditional religious and
cultural practices such as story telling (folklore) and moonlight plays. Bizarre
and awe-inspiring tales of the powers of the various gods and goddesses in the
State, which are experienced at various traditional ceremonies and rites are
explorable for tourist purposes. For instance, the Ugwuezema Owa Shrine at
Ezeagu Local Government Area is credited with powers of avenging ill treatment
against its subjects and punishing dishonesty. The Amalla Egazi in Udenu Local
Government Area is also said to be a ghost sanctuary where one could, through
incantations and timing, meet with his dead relatives and in fact discuss with
them. A waterfall said to have forceful explosion has been discovered at Aninri
Local Government Area.
Existing Tourist Places (Developed)
These include:
- The Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Sculptural Garden and Art
Gallery
- The Nike Lake Resort Hotel
- The Polo Amusement Park
- Coal Mines (Onyeama & Okpara)
- The New Science Equipment Manufacturing Centre at Akwuke
- Historical Monuments such as the Eastern Region Parliamentary building and
the old Governor’s Lodge
- The University of Nigeria, Nsukka Onuiyi Haven, which was the usual
dwelling place of the late Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the 1st President of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Potential Tourist Places (undeveloped)
These are the various tourism
resources yearning for development. They include:
The Ezeagu Tourist Complex
This comprises lakes, caves, waterfalls, warm
and cool springs, and panoramic landscapes.
Obeleagu Umana falls and white spring water
The Opi Lake Complex
This consists of eight (8) lakes within a
district.
Opi Lake at Nsukka
Amagunze Akpawfu Lake Complex
The complex consists of nine (9) formidable
lakes within the same district.
Awhum Waterfall
This is more than 30 meters high. The fall is closely
located to a monastery. The water is said to be curative and capable of
dispelling evil or satanic forces if and wherever sprinkled.
The Ngwo Waterfall
The waterfall is several meters high, throwing down
very good drinking water.
Millken Hill
Named after one of the earliest colonial administrators in
Enugu, the first road into Enugu City winds through the foot of the hill,
bounded by a deep gully.
Ngene-Ani Lake, Amigbo Ozalla
This lake is inhabited by crocodiles which
are responsive to human voice.
Lejja iron
smelting foundry
Enugu State Tourism Board (ESTB)
Enugu State
Tourism Board is a government agency established by Decree 81 of 1992 and
charged with the development of the Tourism industry in the State. This involves
identification of tourism assets, encouraging Nigerians andd foreigners to
invest and develop these assets, regulating the activities of all hospitality
and tourism enterprises and inculcating in the people, the intrinsic values of
tourism as an economic venture and a recreational activity.
Headquarters
1A Rangers Avenue, Independence Layout, Enugu,
Nigeria
Telefax: 234-(0)42-45726
