EditorThe Federal Government has listed the National War Museum, the Ojukwu Bunker in Umuahia and the National Research Institute, all in Abia State, as part of national assets which it wants to recover.
The properties, among others in 10 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) listed by the Federal Government, were seen in a letter signed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, which instructed a company known as Messr. Gerry Ikputu & Partners and M.E Sheriff Esq of M.E. Sheriff & Co as agents to oversee the ‘recovery’ of the said properties for the government.
The National War Museum in Umuahia was commissioned in 1985 and contains relics of Nigeria’s military history, especially the Nigeria-Biafra Civil War of 1967 to 1970. The museum has a collection of weapons and other items used during the war. The weapons describe memories of the civil war. READ ALSO: Malami Appoints Agents To ‘Recover’ 80 Landed Properties In 11 Southern States
The Ojukwu Bunker, built in 1968 during the war, was used by Biafra warlord, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
The site has become one of the biggest tourist attractions in the country, with people visiting the place on daily basis to see the war artefacts, either for research purposes or to relive memories of the period.
READ ALSO: See List Of Properties FG Plans To ‘Recover’ In 11 Southern States
It would be recalled that, on November 3, 2021, the director general of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Alex Okoh, when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation to defend the 2022 budget of the agency, had denied any attempt to sell the properties.
He said: “There is nothing like that. No plan by the Federal Government to concession the War Museum,” adding that “It is a monument of historic dimension.”
But the letter signed by Malami cleared listed the War Museum and the Ojukwu Bunker as part of properties to be ‘recovered’ by appointed agents of the Federal Government.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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