The National Commission for Museums and Monuments, in collaboration with Atuchukwu's family of Amichi, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, recently held a stakeholder's meeting on the peace and reconiciliation building at Amichi to deliberate on the way forward for effective management and utilization of the historic building, which had been enlisted as National Monument.

The building which served as the Biafra State house, during the civil war that ravaged the country from 1967-1970 was built by Late Chief Benjamin Atuchukwu, an industrialist/philanthropist and handed over to the Biafran troops in 1966. The house which was erected between 1964-1965, was the venue of the meeting that technically brough to an end the thirty month old civil war, between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Repubic of Biafra.

Also known as the peace and reconciliation house, erstwhile president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on 15th January 2006, declared the building a National Monument to commemorate the peace treaty of 1970, that put an end to the civil war.

During the civil war, the two storey building, which served as the Biafran State house, has a hall measuring 10.60m by 5.10pm at both the first and second floors. Situated in a very spacious compound, the peace accord was signed in the hall at the first floor, automatically ending the war, two days afterwards. To this day, the wooden table and chairs on which the peace accord was signed is still kept in the hall.

Signatories to the peace agreement that ended the three year old civil war were the then Colonel Olusegun Obasanjo who led the Nigerian government delegation and Colonel Philip Effiong, who equally led the defunct Biafran government troops. Members of the Biafran delegation were Mr. P. N. Okeke, Sir Louis Mbanefo, Lt. Col. P. C. Amadi and Mr. Bernard Odogwu.

On the side of the building, before the entrance, in beautifully scripted letters reads: "This serves to commemorate the cessation of hostilities between the Nigerian Federal troops and the defunct Biafra troops, which was attained through a negotiated agreement that took place in this building in Amichi town on January 13th, 1970".

Before the stakeholders meeting cconverged, the NCMM delegation had earlier visited the site for proper evaluation and mapping of this historic building.

In his opening speech at the occasion, the Director-General NCMM Mallam Yusuf Abdallah Usman, informed the gathering that the meeting is significant in the sence that decisions reached will give direction to the management on how to chart the course for effective management and utilization of the building. He stated further that political statements and declarations made concerning the Atuchukwu property, will enable the Commission take necessary steps to formalize its status as a monument.

He also promised that the NCMM will do all in its power to ensure that Ogbunike Cave, Owerri Izzukala water fall and caves and Umudike tower Ukpo, all in Anambra State are declared National Monuments, soon.

While intimating the gathering that the NCMM is planning to set up a mini exhibition in the very hall used for the meeting, he also intoned that the table were the peace accord was signed, will be one of the exhibits. Hopefully, this exhibition will attract tourists to the Community while also imparting historic knowledge to students and to the benefit of the community.

Jonathan Atuchukwu, eldest son of Late Chief Benjamin in his submission, explained why the family decided to hand over the building to the NCMM as a means of fulfilling and honouring their late father's wishes.

He also enjoined the NCMM to assist in constructing social facilities around the building and also compensating adequately, members of the Atuchukwu's family.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Culture, Anambra State, Engr. Dike Ndulue who represented the State Government, commended the organizers of the meeting, saying that it was the first concrete step by the stakeholders to finalize agreement onthe enlistment of the building. He also commended the Commission for its plan to enlist three other sites in the state as National Monuments while expressing regret that Anambra State was not fortunate enough to attract Federal presence in the State.

Referring to Osun Osogbo groove as a tourist hub because of the efforts of the government and stake holders alike, he prayed taht a day would come, when Amichi town woul play host to eminet Nigerians as obtained in Osun Osogbo.

Present at the stakeholders meeting were members of the Atuchukwu family, led by the elders son Sir Jonathan Atuchukwu, Chief Dr. Simon N. Okeke, former Chairman, Police Service Commisison, Presidnet General, Amichi Development Union, Mr. Emmanuel Okafor, representative of the Anambra State Government and Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Information and Culture, ANambra State, Engr. Dike NDulue. The delegation from the NCMM included Barr. O. A. S. Alasan, Director of Administration and Supplies, Prof. Barth N. Chukwuezi, Director, Educational Services and Training, Mr. Funso Oluremi Adedayo, Director, Monument Hertiage and Sites and Mr. Josiah Ozoma, a Chief Heritage Officer in the Heritage Department of NCMM.