On a regular basis, the University receives variety of visitors from within and outside the country for academic, research, administrative, and other matters. Despite the frequency and the caliber of people visiting, what usually resonates is the high level of hospitality extended to guests. This observation was made by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kolawole Salako during the 10th anniversary of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism, College of Food Sciences and Human Ecology (COLFHEC) of the University. FUNAAB’s hospitality can be described as her strength, coupled with the existence of a full-fledged Department of Hospitality and Tourism that has been projecting the image of the University positively.
The Vice-Chancellor, who was represented at the occasion by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Clement Adeofun, added that the contributions of the University in the area of hospitality had always been applauded by most visitors. “Whenever we have visitors from outside; whether for accreditation or visitors from the Presidency, or people from other establishments, we usually show them our FUNAAB hospitality. So, we must keep this going”. Prof. Salako noted that FUNAAB was one of the pioneer universities to offer HTM as a course at the degree level, assuring of the University Management’s readiness to always provide the needed support.
Delivering the commemorative lecture titled, “The Journey of a Decade: Prospect and Challenges of Domestic Tourism in Nigeria”, the guest lecturer, Mr. Frank Nneji, who was represented by HTM’s Head of Department, Dr. Adegoke Bakare, noted that in the last 10 years, the impact of HTM, has been felt, far and near. According to him, the Department takes its students on excursion to have an all-inclusive knowledge and teach them the practical aspects of their courses. He appreciated the Vice-Chancellor for his foresight and commitment at supporting the Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) Programme of the Department. Mr. Nneji revealed that postgraduate programmes of the Department would kick-off by the next academic session. He indicated that the Department was a vocational-oriented field that specialises in wealth creation, stressing that with the provision of a laboratory space, HTM could become a source of wealth generation to the University by providing laundry services to community members.
The Chairman of the occasion, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Adedapo Tejuoso, the Osile of Oke-Ona Egba, who was represented by Prince Ayodeji Jiboku, lauded HTM for its remarkable achievements within the last 10 years. He thanked the Department for counting him worthy to chair the event, while commending the University Management for its impact at making Ogun State better appreciated. Goodwill messages were delivered by Prof. Olusegun Awonorin, Pioneer Dean of COLFHEC; Prof. Olusegun Atanda, Pioneer Acting Head of Department of Food Service and Tourism; Prof. Folake Henshaw, former Dean of COLFHEC; Prof. Adetoun Amubode; Dr. Olufunmilayo Braide; and representative of past students of the Department, Mr. Ayanlowo Eniola. Awards were presented to eminent personalities such as Oba Tejuoso, Prof. Awonorin, Prof. Atanda, Prof. Mobolaji Omemu, Dr. Mojisola Adegunwa, and Dr. Adegoke Bakare.
