7th October, 2016
The Enugu State Government has commenced repairs of the Old Premier’s Lodge, Nsukka, once occupied by Nigeria’s First President, the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, for its tourism potential.
Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi had announced the plan for the upgrade after a visit to Azikiwe’s’ Onuiyi Haven residence in Nsukka in September.
The Project Coordinator, Mr Agu Chukwuemelie, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the upgrade of the building had reached advance stage.
He said the upgrade of the building would be completed in the next one month if the work was not disrupted by the rains.
Chukwuemelie said that the project derived from Ugwuanyi’s intention to turn the building into a world-class tourist site.
“We would be done in the next one month; we want to have that place as a heritage and tourism site.
“It is something we want to do in remembrance of the Great Zik of Africa, we want to remodel and beautify it without making it look so modern,” he explained.
He said the task had been difficult as the remodelling entailed retaining the building’s Victorian style architecture.
Chukwuemelie, who is also the General Manager of Enugu State Housing Development Corporation, described the task as challenging.
“It is challenging because we have to renew the structure without altering its original look.
“We are not changing the design of the house from an architectural standpoint, the places with woodwork we will polish and retain but only replace the bad portions,” he said.
He said that the lodge would have a black roof on completion while the building would be painted white just as it was to retain its original splendour.
Chukwuemelie, said when completed and formally declared open to visitors, the structure would house Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s personal effects, such as eyeglasses, letters, books and other items which his widow, Prof. Uche Azikiwe, had promised to make available.