Gov Diri Former SSA On Tourism Emerges As ATPN National PRO

The oldest multi-sectorial tourism trade body in Nigeria, Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN) has elected the immediate past Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Bayelsa State Governor on Tourism and Chairman, BRACED Tourism Promotion & Development Initiative (BTPDI) Board, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo as its National Public Relations Officer (PRO) at the just concluded Annual General Meeting, held at the Kapital Club & Apartments Asokoro Abuja on Tuesday.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after his election, Dr. Kiyaramo, popularly known as Mr. Tourism, described the electoral process as free and fair, just as he thanked the Chairman of the AGM Planning Committee, Sir, Andy Osa Ehanire, Members of the board, delegates, and the entire membership of the organisation for the opportunity to serve as National Public Relations Officer of the body.

While expressing his gratitude to God and all those who played various roles to enable him emerge he said: “Your trust in me is a tremendous honour, and I am thrilled to have contributed to my association’s growth. Thank you for your unwavering support and collaboration.

“Your dedication to promoting Nigeria’s tourism industry is inspiring. I am particularly indebted to the National Vice President of ATPN (South-South), Chief Anthony Tosan Prest, for his support and encouragement throughout the electioneering period. The success of our AGM is a testament to our collective efforts. I appreciate the synergy within our team and the positive attitude of all our members.

Recall that Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo is a renowned tourism expert with numerous achievements in the tourism industry. He is the convener of South-South Tourism Roundtable, which later became the BRACED Tourism Promotion & Development Initiative (BTPDI), a pioneering regional tourism destination management organization in the South-South region of Nigeria.

Some of his notable positions, Dr. Kiyaramo has held include: South-South Zonal Secretary and Vice Chairman of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), South-South Coordinator of the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN) and Secretary of West Africa Tourism Roadmap Drafting Committee as well as one time executive council member of the West Africa Tourism Union (WATU), Ghana.

Other positions include pioneer Acting Deputy Rector of the Bayelsa State government-owned International Institute of Tourism & Hospitality, Yenagoa, founder and pioneer Director-General of Ernest Ikoli Visitor Information Centre, Technical Adviser to the Hon. Commissioner of Tourism Development in Bayelsa and founding Honorary Secretary of the Yenagoa Boat Club, Oxbow Lake, Yenagoa.

Dr. Kiyaramo’s contributions to tourism development in Nigeria and West Africa have earned him several awards and recognition, including induction into the Tourism 100 Club Nigeria Abuja in 2021. He is a pioneer publisher of The Blue Economy Magazine online, Abuja.

The newly elected executive council of ATPN is made up of Prince Adetunji Fadina (National President), Prince Ayodele Martins Arokoyo (1st Deputy President), Hon. Ugwu Wilson Uche (2nd Deputy President), Mrs. Juliana Tongrit (Secretary General), Michael Peculiar Ekiran (Asst. Secretary General), Cheif Anthony Tosan Prest (Vice President, South South), Dr. Abigail Olagbaye (Vice President Federal Capital Territory), Hon. Apata Samson Nunayon (Vice President, South West) and Amb. Onyeka Atuloma Loveday, (Vice President, South East) and Ms. Oluwayinka Odusina (Treasurer).

ATPN Board members present at the meeting include Mr. Frank Meke, Dr. Tarzan Ganiyu Balogun, Hon. John M. Likita Best, Mr. Nkereuwem Onung and Rt. Hon. Abdulmumini Mapindi.

Highpoint of the event was the election new executive council and induction of Nigeria’s former Military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon into the Tourism Hall of Fame for stimulating domestic tourism in Nigeria through the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme in 1973, geared towards national reintegration, reconciliation, and reconstruction, also known as the 3-Rs, aimed to reuniting Nigerians after the civil war.

The founding father of ATPN, Chief Mike Amachree of Rivers State, was also honoured for his resilience and pioneering role of tourism development and promotion in Nigeria.