TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE HERITAGE SITE MANAGEMENT: CASE STUDY OF INIKPI SITE

¹Orga, D. Y & ²Gana, J. N

¹Department of Tourism, Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Nigeria

²Department of General Studies, Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, Nigeria

E-mail: yinaorga@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Sustainable heritage management implies an approach that is aimed at balancing cultural objectives with sound management practices of cultural assets.  The evaluation research design using reconnaissance survey and oral interviews generated data which revealed that Inikpi site is the grave of the daughter of Attah Igala, Ayegba Omo-Idoko who volunteered to be buried alive to save her father kingdom from deracination. The Inikpi site is a heritage site associated with Igala legend that has historical and tourism values.  The stakeholders that are responsible for the site include Attah Igala, Traditional Chiefs in Council and Idah Local Government Council. To promote the site, the study suggested provision of site guides, regulatory signs, monitoring of the site and management committee members should include traditional Chiefs in the Attah Council, Idah local Government Council and representative(s) from the Kogi State Tourism Board and Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation. The Committee should also work toward listing of the site as United Nation Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Site (WHS).

Keywords: Heritage, Site, Management, Sustainable