University of Africa takes over Bayelsa Tourism Institute

Plans have been concluded for the full takeover of the International Institute of Tourism and Hospitality, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, by the University of Africa, Toru-Orua, in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state. This includes assets and liabilities of the institute. Speaking during an official visit of the management team of the University of Africa to the Institute, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Valentine Aletor, said he would ensure justice and fairness in the smooth transfer of the institute. Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tertiary Education, Dr. Godwill Ziriki, noted that the merger was to add value to the facilities, programmes and aid adequate funding of the institute. According to him, the institute would accommodate students into the Bachelor of Arts in Tourism, Catering and Hotel Management, which has been accredited by the National Universities Commission, to begin admission with effect from the next academic session in January 2018.
Ziriki reiterated that the move was to consolidate on the vision of the restoration administration of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson in the education sector and to promote tourism development in Bayelsa.
Earlier, the rector of the institute, Mr. Timi Johnson, traced the philosophy behind the establishment of the institute in 2012 as a centre of excellence for training, education, research, advancement and advocacy for the promotion of culture, entertainment, hospitality, tourism development and related fields. He lauded the initiative to merge the two institutions as an impetus towards greater commitment to push tertiary education to a more realistic level. The meeting later went into executive session after the inspection of facilities.
The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Tourism Development, Mrs. Ebiere Musah, was also in attendance to work out modalities for the merger, which has been on the front burner of discourse for a while. Principal officers that accompanied the Vice Chancellor on the visit were Mr. F. Owusu-Mensah, registrar, Mr. Y. Konyefa, bursar, Dr. Rose Okey, librarian, Prof. Prince Efere, director, School of Foundation Studies, Prof. Demola Jolayemi, Asi Ogbomah and Tare Lakemfa, legal services, among others.