The Asaba Hospitality Academy, a brainchild of the Asagba of Asaba, Prof Epiphany Azinge; SAN, OON, on Saturday held its maiden matriculation ceremony for over 200 pioneer students.
The Academy, in partnership with some notable industry operators, is to provide quality practical training in hospitality foundations, including culinary properties, Asaba cuisine, continental dishes, African delicacies, small chops, event management, house keeping, cosmetology, household management, tourism management, hygiene and safety, entertainment policies, guides, and strategies, as well as fashion design.
Addressing the matriculants, the Asagba, who is also the Academy’s Visitor, said the event was not only historic, but the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the students, and an important milestone in the collective commitment to empowering young Asaba people with practical skills, knowledge and values that would enable them to become productive members of the society.
He stated that the Academy was established with the vision of creating opportunities for self-employment and sustainable livelihoods, describing the matriculants as pioneers and ambassadors of that vision.
The monarch reminded the students that their conduct, dedication, discipline and achievements would help to determine the legacy of the institution, and encouraged them to take their training seriously, learn with humility, work with their hands, think creatively and develop the entrepreneurial spirit necessary to succeed in today’s world.
The traditional ruler noted that hospitality was not only about cooking and serving guests, but also about excellence, courtesy, creativity, professionalism, cleanliness, culture and service to humanity.
He expressed the hope that through their training at the Academy, they would acquire skills that could open doors not only within Asaba and Nigeria, but also globally.
The Asagba thanked parents, guardians, instructors, partners, the traditional institution, and everyone else who had contributed to making the Academy a reality, stressing that their support was a demonstration of what could be achieved when individuals and communities unite around the development of human capital.
He charged the management and instructors of the Academy to maintain high standards of discipline, practical training, professionalism and character formation, to make the Academy a centre for the discovery of talents, development of skills, and transformation of dreams into reality.
In a welcome address, the Chairman, Committee on Asaba Hospitality Academy, Prof. Patricia Mbah; said it was not simply a gathering to formally admit the pioneer set of students, but a witness to the beginning of a new chapter in skills development, hospitality education and community transformation in Asaba and beyond.
Prof. Mbah, a Deputy Vice- Chancellor in UNIDEL, Agbor; congratulated the pioneer students on their admission to the Academy, and for the privilege of being the first set of students to embark on what she called an important journey.
She reminded them, however, of the huge responsibility attached to the privilege and urged them to take advantage of the opportunity provided to learn, practice and develop themselves into competent professionals and responsible citizens.
The highlight of the occasion was the administration of matriculation oath to the students.
