The Vice-Chancellor, Bayero University Kano, BUK, Prof. Muhammad Bello on Monday inaugurated the Industry/Sectoral Advisory Board of the Centre for Dryland Agriculture, CDA.
The V-C, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Adamu Tanko, charged the board members to bring their wealth of experience to bear in the Centre’s activities.
According to him, doing so would make the centre more relevant to the local and regional environments.
He expressed optimism that the contribution of the board would make positive impact the university.
In her remarks, the Chairperson of the board, Karimatu Babangida, a Director in the Federal Department of Agriculture, said the board would give priority to agricultural entrepreneurship, “where students would be prepared for industries before their graduation”.
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According to her, climate change has affected agricultural activities negatively, especially in the dryland areas.
She noted that the areas could turn this challenge into opportunities and become food baskets of the world.
Mrs Babangida emphasized that the board would do everything within its powers to guide the CDA to achieve its mandate.
Speaking earlier, the Director, CDA, Prof. Jibrin Jibrin said inaugurating the board was part of the World Bank’s requirement so that the activities of the Africa Centres of Excellence, ACEs, would be aligned with the industries.
The director noted that since the establishment of CDA in 2012, the University management had wisdom of designing a strategy of linking the activities of the Centre with the industries.
He said the CDA was lucky to have such technocrats to be at the helm of its industry board.
Other members of the board are: Subramanian Balasubramanian, Vice President, International Business Development, Jains Irrigation System, India; Aminu Buhari, Director, Capital Agricultural Development Ltd; Nasiru Wada, Magajin Garin Kano and Managing Director, Esoterra Investment Ltd.
Others include Dr. Lamourdia Cisse, Vice President OCP Africa, Casablanca, Morocco; Dr Joseph Odusanya, Biocrops Biotechnology Ltd; Safiyanu Madugu, Managing Director/CEO, Dala Foods Nigeria Ltd; Mohammed Salasi Idris, Country Representative, IFDC; Professor Sani Miko, Country Director, Sasakawa Africa Association.
Others are Professor Jibrin M. Jibrin, Director CDA (Secretary); Professor Sanusi Gaya, Deputy Director, Training, CDA, Professor Amina Mustapha, Deputy Director, Publication and Outreach, CDA and Dr. Kabir Mustapha, Deputy Director Research, CDA, who will serve as assistant secretaries.
