The proposed World Fashion University, to be sited in Bayelsa State, has been named after President Goodluck Jonathan by the World Fashion Organisation.
The WFO said the honour was in recognition of Jonathan administration’s achievements in all spheres of the economy, in spite of the country’s daunting challenges.
The announcement was made at the closing ceremony and Gala Night of the Africa Fashion Reception, which took place at the Banquet Hall of Government House in Yenagoa, according to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, on Sunday.
The organisation said the Goodluck Jonathan World Fashion University would be equipped with a research centre, amphitheatre, faculty of social sciences, conference centre, textile plant building and a sports complex among other facilities.
Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, described the gesture as a milestone.
He noted that Africa had come of age in view of the number of notable designers, who had made their marks in the creative industry and must be given their pride of place in the world as the industry contributed 40 per cent of the gross domestic product across the continent.
Jonathan, who called for a policy of fair trade to grow economies in Africa, solicited the support of men and women of goodwill to make the GJWFU a reality.
In his comment, Governor Seriake Dickson said his administration intended to make the state a key player in the tourism industry.
He said facilities such as the golf course, polo club, and other infrastructure were being put in place to actualise the vision.
In pursuance of this goal, Dickson expressed his government’s preparedness to host one major international event monthly to place Bayelsa on the world tourism map.
