US govt backs preservation of Lejja iron-smelting site with $125,000 grant
The United States government has awarded a $125,000 grant to support the conservation, digital documentation and physical preservation of the historic iron-smelting site in Lejja, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The grant was presented at the National Museum in Lagos and will be implemented by the Centre for Memories – Ncheta Ndigbo through its Nchekwaba Project.
Enugu State Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai, who represented Governor Peter Mbah at the ceremony, described the grant as a major milestone in efforts to preserve the state’s cultural heritage for future generations.
Ossai stressed the need for sustained collaboration among the government, heritage institutions and the local community to protect the archaeological site, noting that the people of Lejja must remain at the centre of the preservation process.
“The people of Lejja must remain at the heart of the preservation process, as their knowledge and participation will be central to the site’s long-term sustainability and resilience,” he said.
The deputy governor also disclosed that the state government was preparing an Executive Bill to be presented to the State House of Assembly to provide a legal framework for the protection, preservation and administration of the archaeological site.
He expressed appreciation to the US government for the grant and assured the Centre for Memories of the state government’s commitment to preserving and promoting the historical significance of Lejja.
The Lejja iron-smelting site is regarded as an important archaeological heritage site in southeastern Nigeria, with evidence of ancient iron production.
