Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has inaugurated visitation panels for five state-owned tertiary institutions to evaluate their performance and alignment with their mandates. The panels were inaugurated on Wednesday inside the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Yenagoa.

Chief Press Secretary Daniel Alabrah reports that Governor Diri described the members of the panels as seasoned professionals with diverse backgrounds and experiences that would enhance the transformation of the institutions. “This initiative is underpinned by the guiding principle of transparency, accountability and a genuine desire for progress in our tertiary institutions,” Diri said in a statement.

The objectives of the panels include assessing academic standards, financial management, staff and student welfare, infrastructure, and policies of the institutions. Diri charged the panels to identify challenges and recommend reforms, review the implementation of previous visitation panels, and provide benchmark performance against regulatory frameworks.

Dr. O.O. Osusu, Chairman of the University of Africa panel, thanked Governor Diri for taking the right step in setting up the panels, which he said was long overdue. Osusu noted that by established laws, each tertiary institution ought to have a visitation panel every five years and promised that they would be guided by the scope and terms of reference laid down by the government.

The panels are constituted as follows:

– *University of Africa, Toru-Orua*: Dr. O.O. Osusu (Chairman), Prof. Ibaba Ibaba, Prof. Augustine Ikein, Prof. Godwin Jackson, Prof. Humphrey Ogoni, Prof. ThankGod Apere, and Dr. Achimota Dickson

– *Niger Delta University, Amassoma*: Prof. Steven Odiowei (Chairman), Prof. Gesi Angaye, Ms. Onoye Beredugo, Prof. Tawari Fafunye, Dr. Victoria Tekenah, Dr. Effua Koroye, and Barr. Fedude Zimugha

– *Bayelsa State Medical University, Yenagoa*: Dr. Martina Ebikake-Nwanyanwu (Chairperson), Prof. Francis Sikoki, Prof. Diepreye Ere, Prof. Tonye Ogriki, Mrs. Effua Beredugo, Dr. Yopele Banigo, and Dr. Emmanuel Denenu

– *Bayelsa Polytechnic, Aleibiri*: Prof. Kingsley Alagoa (Chairman), Iwekumo Agbozu, Prof. Zikieni Yelebe, Dr. Ayebaesin Beredugo, Dr. Ikiedo Okeogbene, Dr. Guagba Berezi, and Mr. Simeon Obesi

– *Major Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education, Sagbama*: Prof. Steve Azaiki (Chairman), Prof. Paul Igbongoli, Prof. Donbebe Wankasi, Mrs. Rafi Souwari, Dr. Ogbe Richard, Barr. Affini Egbegi, and Prof. Young Torunarigha

Governor Diri implored the management and governing councils of the institutions not to perceive the exercise as a witch-hunt but rather as a collaborative effort to ensure seamless teaching and learning.