Heritage Architecture as Empowerment for Architects in National Development; Ogbunike Cave Case, Anambra State, Nigeria

With more than one hundred (100) sites, the research identified such as Obudu Cattle Ranch, Benin Kingdom

moat, Olumo rock in Egba, Abeokuta, Osun-Oshogbo sacred Grooves, Osun State, Oduduwa Grooves, Ogbunike Caves,

Ikogosi Spring in Ekiti and Ogbunike cave. The paper highlighted the investment and entrepreneurial potentials of historical

heritage sites and buildings that are yet to be harnessed. Relevant literature, visits and case study of Ogbunike cave was

used in the study and transformed into a designed proposed tourist centre. It identified the methods of preservation,

transmission, investment and care from generations as oral tradition, individual, community and government as

inadequate, with religious spaces declared as historical sites, and protected by religious beliefs and practices. The strength

and weaknesses of the various management systems in place across Nigeria, were highlighted proposing the potential

for professionals involvement for improvements, with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) as

a partner for managing historical sites at formal level. The paper believes that for sustainability, empowerment, safety and

security of the historical heritage sites community engagement is not only important but and integral part of the heritage

governance system. In addition, it proposes the involvement of built environment professional indigenes in identifying,

documenting, designing and development of the sites as a policy going forward. With maintenance, retrofitting and joint

ownership with the traditional institutions, local community, investors and the professional bodies as stakeholders and

shareholders as imperative for effective harnessing of the heritage assets.