ABU News A Publication of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

ISSN: 0345-0749 | VOLUME: 3 No.1 | MARCH 2016/RAJAB 1437

The 38th Convocation Lecture

Alh. Aliko Dangote, GCON, Alh. Muhammadu Sanusi II, President, Dangote Sarkin Kano, described Aliko Group, delivers a lecture Dangote as a representative on “The Role of of the progress that Karl Marx Entrepreneurship in made, when he said “Nations National Development: have to transcend the stage The Story of The Dangote of primitive accumulation Group” and go into true capitalism”

THE THRILLS AND FRILLS OF 38TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY

President Buhari Reiterates Commitment to Improving the Quality of University Education in Nigeria Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

VISION Ahmadu Bello University shall be a world-class university comparable to any other, engaged in imparting contemporary knowledge, using high quality facilities and multi-disciplinary approaches, to men and women of all races, as well as generating new ideas and intellectual practices relevant to the needs of its immediate community, Nigeria and the world at large.

MISSION To advance the frontiers of learning and break new grounds, through teaching, research and the dissemination of knowledge of the highest quality; to establish and foster national and international integration, development and the promotion of African traditions and cultures; to produce high-level human power and enhance capacity-building through retraining, in order to meet the needs and challenges of the catchment area, Nigeria and the rest of the world.

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 02 FROM Editor-in-Chief’s ABU News THE A Publication of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Publisher Professor Ibrahim Garba DeskDesk Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief Nasir Bello elcome to the 1st Quarter (January – Principal Editorial Staff Adamu Mohammed March, 2016) edition of the ABU News. This edition presents the Reporters W th Ingino Voh reader with highlights of the 38 Convocation Zainab Abdullahi Musa Nafisa Ahmad Muhammad Ceremony. Ahmad A. Is’haq Our team of reporters went on full-cylinders to Administration/Secretariat bring to you lucid details of the thrills and frills Salamatu Lami Nasir th Agidiomo A. Victoria of the 38 Convocation Ceremony. On popular demand, we reproduced the full Computer Graphics Mohammed Faisal Aliyu text speeches of the Visitor, President

Photo Journalists Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, the Chancellor, Tajudeen Kamal Usman His Majesty Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Joseph Arumona Achebe, CFR, mni, the Obi of Onitsha, the Technical/Logistics Vice Chancellor, Professor Ibrahim Garba and Yusuf Yaro Dawud Hussaini Alh. (Dr.) Aliko Dangote, GCON, President Mathew Lawal Emmanuel Owoicho Dangote Group. The edition also covers the inaugural lecture Circulation Samuel Kozah delivered by Prof. O. J. Ajanusi of the Jibrin Abdu Musa Muhammad Nasir Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology in the Faculty of Veterinary ABU News is published by Medicine. the Public Affairs Directorate, Office of the Vice Chancellor, We also expanded the scope covered by the Ground Floor, Senate Building, ABU News by commencing a new segment Ahmadu Bello University, Samaru, Zaria “Down Memory Lane” which is intended to bring back memories of outstanding lectures All correspondences should be delivered in the past by eminent personalities addressed to the Editor-in-Chief, ABU News, in the University. As a mark of honour and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria respect, we started this segment with a speech email: [email protected] delivered by the late Alh. Abubakar Gimba titled “Hoisting The Flag Atop The Baobab Tree.” Printed by: This edition is robust as it presents other stories Ahmadu Bello University Press Ltd., th P.M.B. 1094, Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria. to readers as well as pictures of the 38 Tel: 08065949711 Convocation Ceremony. Website: www.abupress.org email: [email protected] Happy reading!

ABU NEWS | A PUBLICATION OF ABU, ZARIA 03 COVER STORY

THE THRILLS AND FRILLS OF 38TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY

President Buhari Reiterates Commitment to Improving the Quality of University Education in Nigeria

Representative of the Visitor to the University, President Muhammadu Buhari, Prof. Akaneren I. Essien, leading the University Management in a procession

By Adamu Mohammed through a focus on agriculture and to expand their horizon and resident Muhammadu Buhari, the extractive industry sector. mandate, as it will continue to GCFR, has reiterated his President Buhari assured provide leverage to run its affairs in administration's commitment Nigerians that his government accordance with the extant laws of P would live up to expectations in to the upliftment of the quality of the federation, which provides some education in the country. improving the standard of degree of autonomy to the education, and will continue to take While speaking at the 38th university.” measures that will restructure The President further stated that convocation ceremony of Ahmadu university education in Nigeria. Bello University, Zaria the the future of Nigeria depends largely The Visitor urged the graduands on the youth and urged them to have President, who was represented by to embrace the change mantra in the Professor Akaneren I. Essien, a country with the hope of giving a sense of responsibility in visiting professor at the National Nigeria a bright future. repositioning Nigeria to its rightful Universities Commission (NUC), He stated, despite the security place in the global community. said the focus of his administration challenges facing the country, the During the convocation is to reinvigorate the educational government will not relent in its ceremony, the University conferred sector through functional initiatives. effort to bring about political and 13,149 first degrees and 4,598 He said the government is economic stability for the peaceful higher degrees and diplomas to encouraging the development of coexistence of all Nigerians. deserving graduands for the entrepreneurship and innovation in He added, “this government will 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 academic order to promote self reliance continue to encourage universities sessions.

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 04 38TH CONVOCATION

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Garba delivering his keynote address during the 38th Convocation Ceremony

Ovations As VC Addresses Graduands At The 38th Convocation Ceremony By Adamu Mohammed of its ability. Adding that, the Muhammadu Sanusi II, CON, n what could be referred to as a University has from inception Ahmadu Bello University is most rendition of the scorecard of the continued to train men and women certainly honoured by these two University, the Vice Chancellor without any distinction on race, great Nigerian personalities,” he I religion and political beliefs. ABU, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said. Professor Ibrahim Garba's he said, remains the most The Vice Chancellor further convocation address on the 30th of cosmopolitant University amongst commended some of the notable January, 2016 at the Mamman all the Nigerian universities. alumni and philanthropists who According to him, the Kontagora Square will remain have contributed enormously in University was celebrating an uplifting the University. Notable indelible in the minds of staff, academic tradition which has students, alumni and friends of the impacted not only on the Nigerian among them are Lt. Gen. TY University. environment but globally. Danjuma, who has pledged to build The Vice Chancellor amidst He also mentioned that the 38th a new Faculty of Science complex loud ovations from staff and convocation ceremony was very worth N2 billion, Pharm. Danbaba students, sounding obviously unique having commenced earlier D a n f u l a n i S u n t a i , f o r m e r fulfilled, congratulated the with a public lecture titled “The Governor, Taraba State, who built a graduands for making the day a Role of Entrepreneurship in 250-seater capacity twin lecture happy and glorious one. National Development – The Story theatre for the Faculty of Professor Garba informed the of Dangote Group” delivered by the Pharmaceutical Science and most convocation gathering that business mogul, Alh. Aliko recently, Alhaji Dauda Lawal who Ahmadu Bello University has Dangote, GCON, President, completed a fully furnished block continued to discharge its mandate Dangote Group, under the of offices along with a Toyota of teaching, research, innovation distinguished Chairmanship of His coaster bus collectively worth and community service to the best H i g h n e s s , S a r k i n K a n o , N135 million to the Department of

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 05 38TH CONVOCATION

Political Science and International “ making good progress,” he Studies. explained. The Vice Chancellor also The University has from The Vice Chancellor extended mentioned that in order to improve inception continued to train the University's appreciation to the living condition of students, the men and women without any some National and International University has recently undertaken distinction of race, religion donor agencies, organizations, renovation works in some student and political beliefs. It has philanthropists, entrepreneurs, hostels in addition to the pledge by remained the most national politicians and individuals for Alhaji Aliko Dangote to build ten in character in the Nigerian supporting the University. (10) block of hostels for the university system He particularly commended the University. President, Muhammadu Buhari, In the area of teaching and GCFR, the Executive Governor, research infrastructure, the Kaduna State, Mal. Nasir Ahmad University he said, has recently Engineering and funded by the El-Rufa’i, OFR, the Sarkin Kano, spent over N1 billion from the P e t r o l e u m T e c h n o l o g y Muhammadu Sanusi II, the Emir of Needs Assessment Intervention Development Fund – The Vice Zazzau, Alh. Shehu Idris, Alh. Funds for the procurement of Chancellor also mentioned several Aliko Dangote, the Chancellor, the laboratory equipment and facilities researches in the Departments of University Governing Council, to aid teaching and research. Mechanical, Electrical and Civil and all other relevant stakeholders The Vice Chancellor also stated Engineering, the National Animal for their contributions in making that the University has recorded Production Research Institute Ahmadu Bello University a vibrant major breakthroughs in various (NAPRI) that have direct impact on centre of academic excellence. areas of research. One of the major the development of the nation. The Vice Chancellor advised achievements is the development of Professor Garba further the graduands to uphold the zeolite-Y and zeolite ZSM-5 pointed out that Ahmadu Bello positive values they imbibed while catalysts from locally sourced University is one of the ten African in the University wherever they kaolin clay which are used in the Centres of Excellence supported by find themselves; just as he refining of petroleum using a novel the World Bank on neglected commended the University processing technique. This tropical diseases and forensic Management for enforcing research he said, was developed by biotechnology, “The Centre for academic standards in the the Department of Chemical Biotechnology in ABU has been institution.

A cross section of graduands at the 38th Convocation

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 06 SPECIAL REPORT

MEETING POINT: ABU AND DANGOTE GROUP TO PARTNER ON AREAS OF MUTUAL INTEREST By Zainab Abdullahi Musa Dangote and his group, followed Another unit identified as lhaji Aliko Dangote, the by a guided tour of the vital to such collaboration with President of Dangote departments. the Dangote Group is the AGroup has indicated The identified departments National Animal Production special interest in establishing i n c l u d e d D e p a r t m e n t o f Research Institute (NAPRI). The m u t u a l a n d b e n e f i c i a l Industrial Design, specifically areas of breeding, selection, nutrition and management, cross relationship with various units of the sections of ceramics, glass, breeding of indigenous and ABU expected to yield positive graphics and textile. Different exotic breeds of bulls to upgrade development to both the designs and masterpieces of b e e f p r o d u c t i o n w e r e University and the Dangote works made in those sections highlighted. Group. were showcased ranging from T h e d a i r y r e s e a r c h It was as a result of this ceramic vases, pots, glass wares, programme, whose mandate is to indication that a team was advertising/ promotional improve the milk yield and constituted by the University to designs, billboard outdoor lactation performance of the identify areas where such adverts, virtual/motion graphics, i n d i g e n o u s b r e e d s w e r e collaboration could be focused. film production, package design, showcased. The Equine and After much deliberation it was t e x t i l e m a t e r i a l s , Camel Research Programme was concluded that a PowerPoint security/forensic designs, etc. a l s o s h o w c a s e d a s t h e presentation be put together from these areas need expansion and management of the institute various departments to be marketing as they are not fully indicated that camel species are presented to Alhaji Aliko utilized. threatened with extinction.

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 07 SPECIAL REPORT ABU AND DANGOTE GROUP TO PARTNER ON AREAS OF MUTUAL INTEREST

NAPRI also highlighted the Feeds and Nutrition Research Programme, Livestock System Research Programme which are responsible for extending the innovation made by the institute to the farmers. The Poultry Research Programme which was responsible for the development of improved stream of poultry for egg laying and meat was also presented. Small Ruminant Research Programme was an area that was equally highlighted in the presentation. The programme dwells on breeding Paint section of the Industrial Design Department and selection of sheep and goats for multiple births and fast growth rates. Challenges faced by the Institute were also pointed out to the Dangote Group indicating infrastructural decay due to ageing and lack of maintenance, replacement or r e h a b i l i t a t i o n a s m a j o r hindrances. Other factors hindering the development of the Institute include obsolete laboratory facilities, old farm machinery and lack of adequate supply of liquid Nitrogen. The institute management said the Nitrogen Graphics design section plant was vandalized over 20 years ago, and this has hindered the training of inseminators to render their services nationwide. The next Unit introduced to Alhaji Aliko and the Dangote Group was the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR). IAR's mandate include genetic improvement of groundnut, cowpea, maize sorghum, cotton, sunflower, etc also they engage in research on farming systems in the Northwest region of Nigeria, training stakeholders and s t u d e n t s o f F a c u l t y o f Agriculture at all levels, design, d e v e l o p a n d f a b r i c a t e Textile exhibition

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 08 SPECIAL REPORT ABU AND DANGOTE GROUP TO PARTNER ON AREAS OF MUTUAL INTEREST agricultural implements and equipment. The Institute also provide laboratory and other technical services, in the areas of research o n f o o d a n d n u t r i t i o n , sustainable poverty reduction, improved livelihood and extension to influence farmer behavior and impact assessment. At the moment their major challenge is the completion of their new 850 capacity lecture hall worth 180 million Naira. A more recent major development at IAR is the NSDC Sugarcane Biofactory, as a commercial Ceramics exhibition of the Industrial Design Department entity. Its objective is to produce disease free sugarcane and other seedlings of high quality to serve the Nigerian Sugar Sector and other sectors. The biofactory presents an opportunity to solve a critical problem facing sugar estates and sugarcane growers by providing more productive planting material, as it employs t i s s u e c u l t u r e o r micropropagation techniques in producing clean sugarcane plantlets to serve its clientele across the country. The biofactory’s various advantages mentioned to the Inside the IAR’s NSDC Sugarcane Biofactory Dangote Group include: rapid propagation of a superior plant, rapid increase of demeable plants while maintaining genotype of original plant. Increase industry capacity to minimize loss, etc. The facility's staff and capacity was not left behind as it was indicated that for now the factory is designed to produce one million disease free sugarcane. Along with sugarcane, the biofactory also produces seedlings of pineapple, banana and coconut. The next slide presented was about the National Agricultural Extension Research Liaison Snacks and products exhibition at the Institute for Agricultural Research

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Services (NAERLS). The mandate of the NAERLS were planning and coordination of agricultural extension activities, promotion and development of a g r i c r e s e a r c h results/techniques, research and development of agricultural extension methodologies, monitor and evaluate extension delivery performance and provide feedback of research policy. N A E R L S h o s t s t h e departments of Crop and F o res tr y, Liv es to ck an d Fisheries, Agric Engineering, IAR’s mooing machine exhibition Food Technology and Farm broadcast. The Institute informed the Dangote Group of its immense importance and benefit to people and the country's development in terms of agricultural advancement seeing that Agriculture is the next gold in the country that would aid economic growth. The whole presentation was business oriented and targeted at identifying viable areas of mutual collaboration between the Dangote Group and the University. The next unit brought to l i m e l i g h t w a s C h e m i c a l Exhibition of publications of the Institute Engineering Department in the Faculty of Engineering. The Department which was established in 1973, was initially known as Industrial Chemistry Section of the Chemistry Department in the Faculty of Science, then later transformed into full fledged Chemical Engineering Department in October 1976. Having produced many talented graduates including two former GMDs of NNPC and many GMs in local refineries, the department boasts of having graduates working with the Seedlings exhibition at the IAR

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Dangote Group and other oil companies. T h e d e p a r t m e n t w a s highlighted for developing the University's pilot teaching and research mini-petroleum refinery. Stating the purpose of establishing the mini-refinery as: to provide hands-on training for those students. To bridge the training gap, the department developed pilot p r o c e s s p l a n t s l i k e t h e Bioethanol, Biodiesel, Paint, antiseptic detergents plants and portable pure water plants. Food processing machine exhibition The final part of the presentation to the Dangote Group, was on the state of the students hostels in both campuses of the University. The major challenge with the students hotels, as captured in the presentation, was the occupancy capacity. Currently, the total bed spaces available in all the hostels combined is 14,000 distributed as follows: undergraduate 11,000, postgraduate 3,000, while the students entire population is 45,137. The U n i v e r s i t y i s b a r e l y accommodating 30% of its Shika Brown layers and eggs exhibition at NAPRI students with a daily increase in demand. In conclusion, some areas of critical need were pointed out in the presentation which included hostel rehabilitation and construction, sinking of backup boreholes, provision of security lights and the need for a platform for public private partnership. Thus as the presentation ended, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the Dangote Group staff where all taken round as earlier mentioned for a guided tour to m o s t o f t h e p l a c e s aforementioned. Rare camel specie at NAPRI

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 11 CHANCELLOR’S SPEECH

Being the full text address by His Majesty, Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, CFR, mni, Obi of Onitsha (Agbogidi), Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, At The 38th Convocation Ceremony of The University on 30th January, 2016

thank him most sincerely for all the care and attention that the u n i v e r s i t y d e r i v e s f r o m KadunaState and urge him not to relent in that regard. Let me also recognize and appreciate the presence of my royal brother and host, Alhaji Shehu Idris, CFR, Emir of Zazzau, who is always very supportive, gracious and welcoming to me. I will start by congratulating the graduands for their remarkable attainments which we mark today. I wish to register my appreciation to all who have contributed in diverse ways t o w a r d s y o u r s u c c e s s , particularly your parents and guardians as well as your lecturers and other university staff. Do not forget that the sound education you have received at the Ahmadu Bello University is merely a preparation for the journey of a lifetime in your chosen vocations and careers. As you embark on this journey, I trust that you will always be HRM Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, delivering his address mindful of the proud legacy that you bear and strive to acquit yourselves diligently in every Protocols... Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, respect. By so doing, you will be t is my great pleasure and GCFR, and his entourage to this following the footsteps of the privilege to welcome you all memorable occasion. It is large body of very illustrious th Ito the 38 Convocation particularly memorable for me as alumni of the university, of ceremonies of this great this is the first Convocation of which you will become a university. On behalf of the the university that I will be member from today. university community, I most overseeing as the Chancellor. Ahmadu Bello University, as heartily welcome the Visitor to I also welcome our host we know, is one of the most the University, His Excellency, Governor, Mallam Nasir El- reputable institutions of higher the President and Commander- Rufa'i who is a great alumnus of learning not only in Nigeria, but in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the university in his own right. I also elsewhere. The diversity of

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 12 CHANCELLOR’S SPEECH its programmes and its mixture overstretched facilities. of staff and students indeed make Since my assumption of “ the university a microcosm of office as Chancellor, I have had Nigeria, a fact which we must be very useful and cordial At my investiture as very proud of. This distinction, in interactions with the leaders of Chancellor last November, turn, makes it incumbent on all of the in-house academic staff I identified several us to constantly and diligently u n i o n a n d t h e S t u d e n t s challenges that militated apply the human, financial, and Representative Council. I am against the ability of the other resources at our disposal, very pleased that they and the University to fulfill its role including a positive attitude, to university management, and as a breeding ground for further move the university to indeed all stakeholders of the human capital and greater levels. university, share the common advancement of At my investiture as goal of maintaining industrial knowledge, which is Chancellor last November, I peace and harmony as a sine qua germane to the positive identified several challenges that non for progress in the and sustainable change militated against the ability of the institution. Occasionally, issues that President Buhari University to fulfill its role as a will arise between the unions and seeks for our nation. breeding ground for human management that should best be I added that it was capital and advancement of resolved internally through imperative for the knowledge, which is germane to honest and constructive University to have a more the positive and sustainable d i a l o g u e , r a t h e r t h a n secure financial base in confrontation and industrial change that President Buhari order to successfully action, which are often counter- seeks for our nation. I added that address those challenges. it was imperative for the productive. I urge that we re- Consequently, we have University to have a more secure dedicate ourselves to continue to initiated dialogue for the financial base in order to work together and cooperatively revival of the University successfully address those to uphold the lofty Vision and challenges. Consequently, we Mission of this great institution. Endowment Fund. The have initiated dialogue for the I commend the university university will soon set up revival of the University management in the manner that a high powered working E n d o w m e n t F u n d . T h e the institution has maintained group for that purpose. university will soon set up a high cordial and mutually beneficial I hereby call on all alumni, powered working group for that relationship with the host stakeholders, and friends purpose. I hereby call on all community. This is particularly and well-wishers of the alumni, stakeholders, and friends important in view of the fact that university, including and well-wishers of the several of our staff and students corporate bodies, to university, including corporate live off campus within the wider contribute generously to bodies, to contribute generously Zaria community. The university the Fund when it is to the Fund when it is re- has a duty to continue to seek for re-launched launched. ways to make positive impact on The growing population of the lives of those in its both staff and students demands neighbourhood. all of us; its progress is our for the expansion of learning In conclusion, let us remind progress. It is our duty, therefore, facilities, accommodation for ourselves always that the to continue to act positively, both staff and students, and also watchword of this university individually and collectively, to staff offices. To achieve this, must continue to be excellence in ensure that· Ahmadu Bello there is urgent need to develop all its ramifications. I appeal to University, Zaria, is rated as one the Phase ll Project of the the management staff and of the most reputable and finest university master plan. The students to constantly do their universities, not only in Africa project as designed would cater utmost towards the promotion of but in the whole world. for this growing need and reduce excellence, particularly in On that note, I declare the the pressures on the existing academics. This university is for convocation open.

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THE 38TH CONVOCATION LECTURE: Theme: The Role of Entrepreneurship in National Development: The Story of The Dangote Group Delivered by Alh. Aliko Dangote, President/Chief Executive, Dangote Group

Preamble feel honoured to be chosen to deliver the 38th Pre-Convocation Lecture of Ithis great citadel of academic excellence, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, named after one of Nigeria's revered patriots, the Sardauna of Sokoto and former Premier of the defunct Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Chancellor, His Majesty, Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, CFR, mni, Obi of Onitsha, the Vice- Chancellor, Professor Ibrahim Garba, the Senate and the Council of Ahmadu Bello University for giving me this opportunity. It is a privilege to deliver this lecture, considering the rich history of ABU, which is one of the leading universities not only in Nigeria but also in Africa. Right from its establishment on October 4, 1962, Ahmadu Bello University has been offering students all over Nigeria and beyond, world- class education that has made it stand out among its peers. Indeed, ABU alumni have continued to excel ahead of their contemporaries from other institutions, producing Presidents, Vice Presidents and other high ranking officials, both in the public Aliko Dangote, GCON, delivering the lecture and private sector. Renowned intellectuals have also found ABU a veritable fertile ground for breeding the full ferment of thought from which to accelerate industrialization of the ideas that have re-defined our socio- new knowledge comes. national economy. Agriculture was the political ethos. mainstay of the economy. Palm produce “Only if it adheres to those freedoms can was the main revenue earner for the The foundation for the success of this it become truly great. If our staff and great Institution can be found in the Eastern Region, cocoa in the Western students are drawn from all parts of the Region, while groundnut and cotton words of Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello, the world, then the mixture of international Late Sardauna of Sokoto and first were the principal cash crops of the minds working together in an Northern Region. Premier of Northern Nigeria, during his atmosphere of academic freedom can investiture as the pioneer Chancellor. He produce a University true to its ideal and With the discovery of oil in commercial said “The cardinal principle upon which meanings... Our character must reflect quantities in the early 1970s, agriculture our University is founded is to impart the needs, the traditions, the social and began to decline as the principal source knowledge and learning to men and intellectual heritage of the land in which of Federal Government revenue and women of all races without any we live.” foreign exchange earnings. Relatively distinction on the grounds of race, easy oil money, boosted by geo-political religious, or political beliefs. This Founded with four faculties, fifteen tensions in the Middle East, flowed into principle is enshrined in the University departments and 426 students, Ahmadu the Nigerian economy, resulting in an Law. Only through freedom of Bello University focused on Agriculture explosive appetite for imports and short- membership and freedom of enquiry and and Engineering given the vast expanse term spending at the expense of research can a University be drawn into of arable land in the country and the need i n v e s t m e n t i n a g r i c u l t u r e ,

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 14 CONVOCATION LECTURE THE ROLE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: THE STORY OF THE DANGOTE GROUP manufacturing and processing capacity. Introduction P e t e r s o n ( 1 9 8 5 ) , d e s c r i b e s Booms in global oil prices were entrepreneurship succinctly as the On June 12, 2005, Steve Jobs delivered a followed by sharp declines, which identification and exploitation of an commencement speech to Stanford's buffeted the Nigerian economy through opportunity. the next five decades. The search for an graduating class. That simple, yet alternative source of foreign exchange powerful speech is one of the most celebrated speeches in the last decade. S c h o o l s o f T h o u g h t o n earnings has brought agriculture back Entrepreneurship into focus in the National conscience. Permit me to kick off this lecture by However, it is worth noting that the making reference to a striking line from There are several schools of thought on Sardauna, as a man of great vision and his speech: “Don't be trapped by dogma - entrepreneurship, which is a term used to foresight, foresaw this many years prior which is living with the results of other define a wide range of activities such as and therefore made provisions for ABU people's thinking. Don't let the noise of creation, founding, adapting and to place emphasis on agriculture and others' opinions drown out your own managing a venture. Cunningham et al, engineering. inner voice. And most important, have (1991) describe six entrepreneurial The Chancellor of this illustrious the courage to follow your heart and approaches or models. They include the institution, His Majesty, Nnaemeka intuition.” following: Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe in his It takes plenty of guts to follow your investiture speech posed the following heart when others tell you that you are 1. Great 'Person' School: The paradoxical situations for us to ponder: wrong. But it is the ability to stay entrepreneur has an intuitive ability - focused and persevere in the face of sixth sense – and traits and instincts · We spend unbelievable amounts overwhelming odds that differentiates he/she is born with. It is assumed that importing petrol and subsidizing its winners from losers. Entrepreneurs without this trait, the individual will be retail price whilst our three refineries encounter a lot of challenges in their like the rest of us mortals. with adequate capacity to meet our business ventures. Usually, the first five national requirement are literarily 2. Psychological Characteristics years are very critical to the survival of School: Entrepreneurs have unique moribund, despite huge sums spent on the enterprise. Those who are steadfast endless turn around maintenance; abilities, attitudes and needs which drive are the ones that eventually emerge t h e m . T h i s S c h o o l b e l i e v e s smaller and less endowed countries victorious at the end of the day. The successfully operate their own refineries entrepreneurs cannot be developed or importance of entrepreneurship cannot trained in classroom situations. optimally and do not suffer scarcity; be stressed enough as it governs the ability of a nation to succeed in the 3. Classical School: The central · Nigeria is probably the largest importer highly competitive global marketplace. characteristic of entrepreneurial of electric generators in the world behaviour is innovation. Steve Jobs, the despite our endowment with natural In this lecture, I will attempt to define entrepreneurship - which is the brain behind Apple Computers, is an sources of energy, such as petroleum, archetype of this School. coal, hydro and solar energies, and the operational topic of my paper - identify huge sums spent by successive skills that will enable entrepreneurs to succeed, and highlight the role of 4. Management School: Entrepreneurs governments on the power sector. On the are organisers of an economic venture; other hand, a smaller country, Ghana, entrepreneurs in the economic growth and development of any nation. I will they are people who organise, own, takes gas from Nigeria and generates manage and assume the risk. most of its electricity requirements; also look at the global perspective to entrepreneurship, share the Nigerian 5. Leadership School: Entrepreneurs · Our food import bill, spent mostly on experience, before I tell you the story of are leaders of people; they have the rice and wheat, is about $22 billion how the Dangote Group started ability to adapt their style to the needs of annually, yet our country is blessed with business. people. vast arable land and a large population of young jobless people that can be usefully What is entrepreneurship? 6. Intrapreneurship School: Entrepreneurial skills can be useful in deployed to agriculture; According to Business Dictionary, complex organisations; intrapreneurship entrepreneurship is the capacity and · Road construction in Nigeria is more is the development of independent units willingness to develop, organise and to create, market and expand services. expensive than most parts of the world, manage a business venture along with yet our roads are breaking down faster any of its risks in order to make a profit. Skills Entrepreneurs Need to Succeed than we build them because the Starting a new business is one of the traditional mode for heavy haulage, obvious ways of venturing into Successful entrepreneurs have certain namely, railways, pipelines and entrepreneurship. traits in common, according to the waterways, are comatose; a trailer load University of Illinois Center for of petrol from Mosimi to Maiduguri The term 'entrepreneur' is often applied Economic and Financial Education. causes more damage to our roads than to the founder of a new business or These characteristics include the the value of the product being person who started a new business where following: transported. there was none before (Gartner 1985). Ability to plan: Entrepreneurs should In the course of this lecture, I will seek to According to Garfield (1986), be able to develop business plans to meet provide Dangote Industries Limited's entrepreneurs are those who develop a their goals in a variety of areas, including attempts to tackle and provide solutions niche in the market or develop a strategy finance, marketing, production, sales to this situation. to satisfy some need. and personnel.

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 15 CONVOCATION LECTURE THE ROLE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: THE STORY OF THE DANGOTE GROUP

Communication skills: They need to be 3. Promoting balanced regional environments, and strong legal able to explain, discuss, sell and market development: They help to remove protections, improving access to capital, their ideas, goods or services, regional disparities through setting up of and protecting intellectual property effectively. industries in less developed and rights and infant industries and backward areas. The growth of technologies from unfair competition. Marketing skills: They should possess industries and businesses in these areas, good marketing skills to attract potential in turn, lead to a large number of public For instance, the United States of customers. This is a very critical skill benefits such as provision of America, which is the world's largest every business owner should have and is transportation networks, health economy with a gross domestic product distinct from sales. facilities, and educational opportunities, (GDP) of $17.4 trillion as at 2014, has etc. This ultimately opens up hitherto the Small Business Administration Interpersonal skills: Relationships backward regions for development. For (SBA) that provides funding and other with people – engaging with customers, instance, host communities in rural areas forms of support to start-up clients, employees, banks, investors, where Dangote Cement establish plants, entrepreneurs. That is one of the reasons lawyers, accountants, etc determine to a have experienced rapid growth as new there are so many successful large extent, the success and ancillary industries and services spring entrepreneurs in America today. sustainability of a business, particularly up to take advantage of new at the start-up stage. opportunities. Many Americans such as Henry Ford, Basic management skills: The ability to Walt Disney, John D. Rockefeller, Bill manage people and resources is also 4. Reducing concentration of Gates, Sarah Breedlove (aka Madam CJ very important. economic power: Economic power is Walker), Oprah Winfrey, and Steve Jobs the natural outcome of industrial and are among the most celebrated names in Leadership skills: Entrepreneurs b u s i n e s s a c t i v i t y. I n d u s t r i a l entrepreneurship today. It is not should be able to inspire their employees development normally leads to surprising that Americans have the to pursue their vision. concentration of economic power in the highest number of billionaires on the hands of a few individuals, which results Forbes List of Billionaires. As a matter Beyond having these skills, it is equally in the growth of monopolies. The birth of of fact, a greater percentage of the Top 10 important for entrepreneurs to learn small businesses has helped reduce the Companies in the world today are from the mistakes of others. This will concentration of economic power in a American companies: Apple, Microsoft, enable them to avoid many pitfalls and few hands. In effect, entrepreneurship Google, General Electric (GE), Coca remain in business. They must also be stimulates equitable redistribution of Cola and IBM. Why are Americans so persistent. Many famous entrepreneurs wealth and income. successful? It is because they place high failed several times before they finally premium on entrepreneurship. succeeded. Richard Branson, President 5. Increasing Gross National Product of Virgin Group belongs to this category and Per Capita Income: Entrepreneurs The Massachusetts Institute of of entrepreneurs. bring in new products and services and Technology (MIT), for instance, has a develop markets for economic growth. strong focus on entrepreneurship, as it In this way, they help increase Gross was designed to deliver a practical Role of Entrepreneurs in Economic National Product as well as Per Capita Development education instead of the focus on the Income of the people in a country. This in classics. Its emphasis on mens et manus, turn, translates to economic growth and Entrepreneurs play a critical part in the mind and hand, is infused into the economic development of any economy an increase in the standard of living of the people. entrepreneurship curriculum and in the following ways: programming, which emphasises 6. Innovation, Research and learning by doing. 1. Promoting capital formation: Development: Entrepreneurs as Entrepreneurs promote capital inventors are responsible for an ever A 2009 study based on data obtained formation by mobilising the idle savings increasing number of new innovations in from 2001 and 2003, suggested that of the public. They employ their own as products, services and lifestyles that 25,800 companies founded by MIT well as borrowed resources for setting up benefit individuals and societies. alumni were active as of 2006, their enterprises. In this way Similarly, successful entrepreneurs are employing 3.3 million people and entrepreneurial activities lead to value constantly engaged in researching and producing annual revenues of $2 trillion, addition and creation of wealth, which is developing new ways to solve old equivalent to the 11th largest economy in very essential for the industrial and problems. Classic contemporary the world. economic development of a country. examples include my good friend Bill Gates and his contemporaries at Google, The study also found that 41 percent of MIT founders are serial entrepreneurs, 2. Creating large-scale employment and Facebook, among many others. having started multiple companies. It opportunities: Entrepreneurs provide was also discovered that the average new jobs. With the evolution of more and G l o b a l P e r s p e c t i v e s o n entrepreneur who graduated in the more enterprises - both small and large- Entrepreneurship 1990s, starts a company at age 28, scale - numerous job opportunities are Entrepreneurship is known to be a whereas founders who graduated in the created for others. As time goes on, these leading vehicle of job creation and 1950s started their first companies on enterprises grow, providing direct and economic growth all over the world. As average at age 40.5. indirect employment opportunities to such, countries pay special attention to many more. In this way, entrepreneurs the needs of entrepreneurs by creating Indeed, Facebook's founder and play an effective role in reducing the strong infrastructural frameworks, billionaire, Mark Zuckerberg, was in his problem of unemployment in a country. conducive policy and regulatory late twenties when he established the

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 16 CONVOCATION LECTURE THE ROLE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: THE STORY OF THE DANGOTE GROUP company. This shows that the younger accelerate them to catch up with the rest sectors such as manufacturing and generation are gradually taking over the of the world as well as spread the growth services, particularly telecoms. business world. This emphasis on further across all economies through a Greater emphasis is being placed on the entrepreneurship is what has made diversified economic base grounded in development of SMEs in the country an established entrepreneurial class. America the largest economy in the because of their potential to drive world today. One of the areas we need to address if we economic growth. The Small and In Asia, the story is not much different. A are to fast track entrepreneurship in Medium Enterprises Development study carried out by Tarun Khanna, a Africa, is the issue of visa regimes to Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) is Jorge Paulo Lemann Professor at the promote the ease of movement of labour, responsible for formulating policies and Harvard Business School (HBS) in and by extension goods and services. nurturing small businesses in the country January 2008, showed that China and The Dangote Group for instance, as you in association with the Bank of Industry India have the largest number of are aware, has operations in 18 African (BOI) and other financial institutions. entrepreneurs in the world, largely countries. As an African and a Nigerian, The Dangote Foundation, the dominated by small and medium scale I require entry visas to 55% of African philanthropic arm of the Dangote Group, enterprises (SMEs). countries. This poses a serious obstacle is partnering the BOI in the area of to the much hyped economic integration empowerment of SMEs through the The latest World Bank world GDP of the continent. Free flow of talent provision of a N10billion interest-free figures (for 2014) place China second across Africa's borders is a critical revolving loan facility. The DF-BOI after the US with a GDP of US$10.3 enabler of Africa's growth and initiative is helping to complement the trillion; with Japan ($4.6trillion), development. Federal Government's efforts to tackle Germany ($3.9trillion); and the United unemployment through the National Kingdom ($2.9trillion) a distant third, Happily several countries are taking Committee on Job Creation set up in fourth and fifth respectively. Nigeria, steps to amend their visa and 2010 for this purpose. immigration requirements. Currently, 13 Africa's largest economy, with a GDP of However, unemployment, particularly nd African countries (Seychelles, Mali, $568billion, ranked as the 22 biggest among the youth, is on the rise. Between Uganda, Cape Verde, Togo, Guinea- economy in the world in 2014. As you 1999 and 2009, the number of Bissau, Mozambique, Mauritania, can see from this, Nigeria is getting unemployed Nigerians increased from R w a n d a , B u r u n d i , C o m o r o s , closer to realising her Vision 20:2020 5.9 million to 17.5 million, according to target of being in the top 20 global Madagascar and Somalia) offer visa-free the June 2010 Millennium Development economies by GDP size. Bloomberg or visa-on-arrival access to citizens of all Goals (MDG) progress report on projects that Nigeria's GDP will rise to African countries. Other countries Nigeria. The public sector employs $1trillion by 2030. should follow suit to open up the under 10% of the country's labour force continent for further growth and and has limited scope for expansion. On In the United Kingdom, a study by development, just like the European the contrary, experts continue to warn Barclays Bank revealed that 9% of Union's Schengen zone has done by that the Nigerian public service is over- British entrepreneurs decide to go into abolishing passport and immigration bloated as it is. It is therefore up to business for themselves because they controls at their common borders. private enterprise to provide for the rest want a secondary income to supplement of the work force. their primary income; 44% do so, to build a 'big successful business,' while The Nigerian Reality Some of the identified major causes of 47% do it to earn a living. Nigeria is the most populous African unemployment in Nigeria include country and 6th most populous nation in inadequate infrastructure (particularly The UK study also discovered that 36% epileptic power supply) and lack of of people say fear of failure stops them the world, with over 170 million people. This large, and largely young, access to finance. The National from exploiting the business Committee on Job Creation, which I opportunities they see. However, 81% of population provides great incentives for manufacturers and service providers. Chair, was set up in 2010 to address these entrepreneurs in the UK reported they identified problems. are much happier running their own The telecoms sector is often cited as a businesses than when they were working case study for instance because the Some of the priority areas for job for someone else. number of Nigerians with access to creation identified by my committee telephone lines increased from 500,000 include micro, small and medium scale in 2001 to about 98 million in 2011 with The African Experience enterprises (MSMEs), agriculture and massive positive externalities across the agro-allied industries, manufacturing, In the last decade, as most of the rest of national economy! entertainment and vocational skills. The the world's economies have slowed or committee hopes to create jobs in the There is also a growing middle class stagnated, Africa, home to over 1.2 MSMEs sector by linking large and with greater purchasing power. In billion people, has on average small enterprises, through industry addition, Nigeria has abundant human experienced considerable economic clusters, improved access to finance, and and natural resources and offers one of growth driven in large part by a global capacity building initiatives. the highest returns on investment in the commodity boom. The fact that Africa world. All these make Nigeria attractive Specifically, the successful Nnewi offers one of the highest rates of returns to investors and Foreign Direct automotive cluster in Anambra State and on investment in the world is a key driver Investment (FDI) has been flowing into the Otigba Computer Village in Lagos of this growth. the country slowly but steadily over the State are examples of how cluster However, African economies need to last decade and a half. A growing arrangement and linkages can trigger secure these fledgling growth gains and percentage of FDI has been going to growth of MSMEs.

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Kano city, the commercial capital of the trading. I experienced tremendous other sectors. From being the largest North, was famous for its groundnut success in commodities trading and importer of spaghetti and macaroni from pyramids, ginnery, cotton, leather and incorporated two companies in 1981. Italy, we switched to manufacturing tanning industry, and textiles among pasta locally. To manufacture pasta, we The abolition of the import licensing needed wheat flour; and so we got into others from pre-colonial times through regime in the 1980s enabled us to the flour milling business. In addition to to the 1960s and '70s. However, the increase the scope of our operations, and flour milling for pasta, we started difficult operating environment in the we became a bulk trading company with producing other wheat-based foods such country in the 1980s led to the demise of an initial focus on bulk salt, and later as alkama. In this process of transiting many of these companies in Kano, cement. We diversified over time into a Kaduna and else were in the region. The conglomerate trading cement, sugar, from importation to manufacturing, we challenge today is for Kano to reclaim its flour, salt and fish. By the early 1990s, created even more jobs. Prior to this ancient status. we had grown into one of the largest period, the jobs we created were mainly trading conglomerates operating in the in the marketing and sales of imported The Dangote Story country. products. Now, we added more value to the job creation cycle by bringing the Introduction All the commodities we were offering entire manufacturing process home to The Dangote Group is Nigeria's for sale at that time were imported. Our Nigeria. foremost conglomerates with interests in primary focus was on the importation We also ventured into sugar refining. cement, sugar, salt, flour, pasta, noodles, and distribution of commodities – sugar, Instead of importing refined sugar, we poly products, real estate, agriculture, rice, vegetable oil, steel rods, pasta, acquired the formerly government logistics, telecommunications, steel, oil cement as well as exportation of agro- and gas, and beverages among others. based commodities. We provided owned Savannah Sugar Company and We have three subsidiaries listed on the hundreds of direct jobs to Nigerians who built a 1.4 million MT per annum Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). They worked in our sales outlets across the Greenfield sugar refinery in Apapa include Dangote Cement Plc, Dangote country. We equally provided hundreds which is the second largest sugar Sugar Refinery Plc (DSR), and of indirect jobs to Nigerians who were refinery under one roof in the world. NASCON Allied Industries Plc and our distributors, drivers, loaders and all These investments created many more account for over 20% of the market who depended on our operations to drive jobs and adding more value to our capitalization on the Nigerian Stock their own activities to earn a living. In imports operations. We replicated the Exchange. addition, we paid billions in taxes, same strategy in cement, transitioning The Group has over 15,000 direct contributing directly to government from importing bagged cement, to employees. It provides indirect revenues. setting up a cement terminal, acquiring the comatose Benue Cement Company employment to tens of thousands of But there was a snag. Importation from the government and building brand others who are engaged in activities stimulates economic growth in new plants of our own.. These relating to our businesses. Today, exporting countries, while transferring commodities – flour, sugar, salt, and Dangote Cement has presence in over a inflation and job losses to importing cement – needed polypropylene bags for dozen African countries and this number countries. These considerations caused a packaging. This informed the setting up is expected to grow in the not too distant major shift in our operations, especially of Dangote Agrosacks, a polypropylene future. In 2015, four new plants began after my trip to Brazil in 1997. full operations (in Cameroon, Ethiopian, bag manufacturing complex. Senegal and Zambia; one new plant was commissioned in Tanzania and 12 Transition Period Sustaining the Growth and Expansion MOUs were signed for new plants/lines. I was shocked when I visited Brazil in Having established ourselves as major 1997 and discovered that another Third players in the manufacturing sector, we The Early Years World country similar to Nigeria, had continued to sustain our growth through My first foray into business for myself huge manufacturing complexes acquisition of strategic assets and was in 1978, when I used the seed capital providing jobs for its citizens and expansion of existing capacities. The given to me by my grandfather, Alhaji developing the country's economy. I expansion is to contain the growing Sanusi Dantata, to trade in local realised that if they could do it in Brazil, client base, as goods hitherto imported commodities and building materials. He we could replicate the same in Nigeria. are now manufactured locally. also gave me a loan of N500,000 to be We started with a strategy of backward We also expanded our capacities to take repaid whenever I was able. I repaid the integration, investing in the local advantages of economies of scale, as loan within a short time, as I made good manufacturing of the products that we large scale production lowers marginal profit from my investment which were hitherto importing into Nigeria. We cost. As our business expanded, we surprised him greatly. had traded in these products for some commenced formalisation of business I moved to Lagos that same year and got years at that time. We therefore had an processes and structures to align with into the cement business. Initially, the already made market. Consequently, our new vision and direction. This business was good, but soon enough transiting into a manufacturing model resulted in the transition of sugar, flour, there were challenges. allowed us to retaining our customer salt, and pasta into wholly-owned base which was a major advantage for subsidiaries - Dangote Sugar Refinery, Those were the days of the infamous us. Dangote Flour Mills, and NASCON 'cement armada.' The business climate Allied Industries. became inclement and I left the cement We also discovered that manufacturing business to concentrate on commodities requires and provides linkages with We eventually listed our sugar, flour and

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 18 CONVOCATION LECTURE THE ROLE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: THE STORY OF THE DANGOTE GROUP salt businesses on the Nigerian Stock listed Sephaku Holdings. Dangote Dangote Cement Plant Ibese Exchange to enable Nigerians to become Cement owns 64% of Sephaku Cement, Dangote Cement Plant Ibese has an co-owners of these companies. with Sephaku Holdings owning the installed capacity of 12.0 million metric remaining shares. The South Africa tons of cement per annum. At its Dangote Cement Plc operations currently have a total commissioning in 2012, it had an installed capacity of 3.3 million MT per installed capacity of 6.0 mtpa which we Considering the fact that Africa was annum. have since doubled to 12.0mtpa by 2014. gradually becoming a dumping ground Ibese Cement Plant is powered by three for cement from Asia and the Far East, In Senegal, Our 1.5 million MT plant in gas fired power plants generating 35 we took the strategic step of evolving Pout began cement production in MW of electricity. The plant also has a from a cement bagging company to December 2014 to serve local and export sack producing factory to cater for the having our own fully integrated cement markets such as Mali, Guinea Bissau, bagging of cement. plants. The strategy was designed to The Gambia, as well as Sierra Leone and Liberia, where we plan to open bulk make Nigeria self- sufficient in cement Dangote Cement Plant Gboko production given the abundant deposits cement import and bagging facilities. of limestone across Nigeria coupled with Our 1.5mt plant in Ndola, Zambia We acquired the then moribund Benue the ever growing local demand for Cement Company (BBC) in 2000, opened mid-2015. In addition to selling turned the company around with the cement. into local markets in the Copperbelt installation of new machinery, and Dangote Cement currently has region, the plant will export cement to expanded its installed capacity from 3.0 the mining regions of the Democratic production operations in eight African million MT to 4.0 million MT per Republic of Congo and Rwanda. annum. Because of its distance from the countries including Nigeria, with national gas infrastructure, Gboko investments at various stages in another Our 2.5 million tonne plant in Ethiopia Cement Plant was designed to run its ten countries and growing. In Nigeria, was commissioned in mid-2015, kilns entirely on LPFO and use diesel to the Group owns six cement import following an investment of over $480 generate electricity. We are currently in terminals in Lagos and in Port Harcourt, million. the process of converting it to run which have been shuttered following entirely on coal, which will substantially Similarly, our 1.5 million MT per annum increase its profitability. complete local self-sufficiency in clinker import and grinding facility in cement production and one in Ghana the port of Douala was opened in mid- through which it imports and bags bulk 2015. The project was reportedly the Dangote Sugar Refinery cement. Two of our import terminals in largest Greenfield project in the country D a n g o t e S u g a r R e f i n e r y P l c Lagos are being converted for export at the time. Another 1.5 million MT plant commenced business in March 2000 as purposes, while where possible, the is proposed for further inland, in the the sugar division of Dangote Industries equipment in the other terminals will be Yaoundé region. Limited. The sugar-refining factory at transferred to other countries to develop Apapa port was commissioned in 2001 import facilities in other neighboring In Tanzania, we have invested more than with an initial installed capacity to countries where the demand or resources $500 million in a 3.0 million MT plant process 600,000 MT of raw sugar per do not facilitate a new cement plant which is now nearing completion and annum. investment there. The import terminals ready for commissioning. The refinery has since undergone two in Nigeria have a combined capacity of All these plants have already created expansions increasing the production 10 million MT per annum, while Ghana's thousands of direct jobs and will facility has a capacity of 2 million MT continue to create thousands more from capacity to about 1.44 million MT per per annum. the construction phases, throughout their annum, making it the largest sugar operating lives, and in the associated refinery in sub Saharan Africa and Dangote Cement operates three cement distribution, logistics and services second largest in the world. Dangote manufacturing plants in Nigeria namely sectors as cement is the major material in Sugar Refinery is actively pursuing a the Obajana Cement Plant (Kogi state), the construction industry. New backward integration master plan with a which is the largest cement plant in sub- settlements and businesses are opening target of making Nigeria self-sufficient Saharan Africa with a current capacity of around the locations of the various plants in sugar production. 13.25 million MT; the Gboko Cement and many new support businesses, such Plant (former Benue Cement Company as banks, have opened shop near our We plan to invest over N180 billion to Plc) with 4.0 million MT of production plants helping to further drive local and build four new factories in Sokoto and capacity per annum. And our newest national economic growth and Kebbi States. The refinery has acquired plant, the Ibese Cement Plant (Ogun development. over 150,000 hectares of land allocated state), with a further 12 million metric for projects in Kogi, Kwara, Jigawa, tonnes per annum capacity. Dangote Cement Plant Obajana Sokoto, Taraba and Kebbi. Dangote Sugar acquired the moribund 50,000 Aggressive growth plans target a strong The flagship of our cement operations is tons per annum capacity sugar the 13.25 million metric tons per annum pan-African presence as Dangote producing factory-the Savannah Sugar Cement evolves to become a world-class integrated cement plant in Obajana, Company Limited in Numan, Adamawa multi-national corporation. Dangote Kogi state. It is the largest cement plant State in 2002. The buy-over, midwifed Cement is investing several billion in sub Saharan Africa. The cement by the Bureau of Public Enterprises dollars to build manufacturing plants production plant is powered by a 135 (BPE), was the fallout of the failure of and import terminals across Africa. MW gas –fired power plant supplied by a natural gas pipeline. As an integrated several attempts made by the Federal In South Africa, Dangote Cement has plant, it has a limestone quarry equipped Government to reposition the nation's entered into a joint venture with JSE- with a 7.5 km conveyor belt. foremost sugar company.

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 19 CONVOCATION LECTURE THE ROLE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: THE STORY OF THE DANGOTE GROUP

We have repositioned the company and the commercial production of rice advances, philosophies, politics and planted thousands of hectares of sugar paddy. We plan to establish two state-of- economics. Universities such as ABU cane plantation to supply the raw the-art large-scale rice mills each with a successfully contain multi-disciplinary materials for refining. We have over capacity to mill 120,000 metric tonnes of points of view, learning and 20,000 out growers and provide direct rice paddy, bringing a total capacity to understanding. And this is crucial to employment to over 50,000 people. We 240,000 metric tonnes, with plans to build consensus around the issues we supply sugar to major bottled drink and double capacity within two years. With need to deal with as a nation and a confectionary companies in Nigeria. this installed capacity, the project will continent. Universities bring together become the largest integrated rice mill the sciences and arts with the social project in Africa. sciences such as philosophy and NASCON Allied Industries Plc economics. It is important to remember As an integrated operation, the Dangote that while we need the rational, practical We acquired the former National Salt farms and mills are expected to knowledge of science in approaching Company of Nigeria (NASCON), significantly boost smallholder rice economic and other national issues, we repositioned and expanded its product production in the regions through a also need the unique personal, aesthetic base beyond salt to include seasoning, nucleus and out-grower farming model, responses that art provides, as these tomato paste and vegetable oil. The thereby transforming livelihoods in rural responses can engage the personal diversification of the product range Nigeria. The sites selected are already necessitated the name change to values and emotions that are so crucial to rice-growing communities and they will motivate action. And the practical NASCON Allied Industries Plc. be supported by Dangote's provision of hardnosed assessments, reflections and agro-inputs, training, and marketing Our product range now include table calculations of the economics and social linkages to improve community- realities that are the universe of salt, industrial salt, seasoning, tomato farming operations. Employment paste and vegetable oil. We have created industrialists, manufacturers, inventors opportunities will also be created for at and consumers alike. economic linkages and thousands of jobs least 8,000 Nigerians. through our activities. More importantly, institutions like ABU Concluding Remarks need to move out of the comfort of their Petrochemical Complex traditional environment and work more We have, in this lecture, looked at the To address the perennial petrol scarcity d i f f e r e n t d i m e n s i o n s o f actively with institutions, bodies, groups in Nigeria, we have embarked on entrepreneurship, pointing out its role in and individuals in the market place, on construction of a massive petroleum economic growth and development. We the fields and in politics, and business; refinery and petrochemical complex in also examined different approaches to physically and metaphorically speaking. the Lekki Free Trade Zone. The project, entrepreneurship and attempted to draw Technological innovations and scientific conservatively valued at some lessons from abroad. We looked at arguments are not enough, if people's the African experience, the Nigerian attitudes, thinking and practices are not $12billion, is designed to have a 650,000 dimension and the Dangote story. likewise aligned. bpd capacity, which will make it the world's largest single stand-alone From the foregoing, we can therefore We must therefore collectively take refinery. safely conclude that entrepreneurship is deliberate steps to nurture our the only way to secure Nigeria's future. entrepreneurs to enable Nigeria to take The petrochemical complex includes a We have all the resources - both human her pride of place in the comity of 1.2M mtpa polypropylene plant and a and natural - at our disposal to do this. nations. combined capacity of 2.8M mtpa Urea Attempts to solve social problems and Ammonia fertilizer plant. The frequently fail because they require References Refining and Petrochemical Plants have collective action from governments, been designed to produce Euro 5 quality Gartner, W.B (1985). “A Conceptual universities, civil society and the private Framework for Describing the standard as compared to the Euro 3 sector. Producing large-scale, reliable, Phenomena of New Venture Creation.” currently supplied in the Nigerian affordable, and environmentally Academy of Management Review. 10. market. On completion, the refined sustainable goods and services is a key 696-706 products output would be Gasoline global problem. But the solutions are Garfield, Charles (1986). Peak (PMS) of 7.684 million MTPA; Diesel- within our grasp. Nigeria's future is Performers: The New Heroes of 5.30 million MTPA; Jet Fuel/Kerosene- American Business. New York. Avon bright. And its future lies in its youth. To Books. 3 . 7 4 0 m i l l i o n M T PA ; L P G - realize its full potential, we need to build Peterson, Rein (1985). Raising Risk- 0.213million MTPA; and Slurry/Fuel up our human talents and resources for takers. Metropolitan Toronto Business Oil-0.625million MTPA. the challenges of today and tomorrow. Journal 75 (7), 30-34 The lack of access to quality education http://money.cnn.com/news/economy/wo It is envisaged that when completed in by the general population, limits the rld_economies_gdp/ 2018, the refinery will create jobs for quality of our human talent and the http://web.mit.edu/facts/entrepreneurship thousands of Nigerians, end the nation's potential for rapid economic .html dependence on petroleum products development. We therefore need an http://www.barclays.co.uk/BusinessBank Accounts/Entrepreneursinnumb imports and have a massive multiplier education transformation driven by effect on the economy. ers/P1242621930322 s t r o n g p a r t n e r s h i p s b e t w e e n http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/2642 g o v e r n m e n t s , b u s i n e s s e s a n d -entrepreneurship.html#sthash. communities. Rice Projects xyal6lAz.dpuf We have acquired farmlands in Edo, Universities, student groups, and http://www.businessdictionary.com/defin Jigawa, Kebbi, Kwara and Niger states educational institutions have historically ition/entrepreneurship.html#ixz totaling 150,000 hectares to be used for played a key role in shaping societal z3wSMpXT4f.

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38 TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY: DAY 1 Convocation Lecture, Delivered by Alh. Aliko Dangote, GCON, Friday, 29th January, 2016 Theme: The Role of Entrepreneurship in National Development: The Story of The Dangote Group

ABU security band leading the convocation lecture procession The Registrar, Dr. Isah Mohammed Abbas and the mace bearer in procession

L-R: The Chancellor, Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, Sarkin Kano, L-R: DVC Admin, Prof. Ibrahim Na’iya Sada, the Guest Lecturer, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and Pro-Chancellor, Mohammed Dewu Aliko Dangote, GCON, and Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Garba

A cross section of audience watching the procession A cross section of deans and directors

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 21 IMAGES

38 TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY: DAY 1 Convocation Lecture, Delivered by Alh. Aliko Dangote, GCON, Friday, 29th January, 2016 Theme: The Role of Entrepreneurship in National Development: The Story of The Dangote Group

The Guest Lecturer, Alh. Aliko Dangote, GCON, delivering the The Chancellor, Obi of Onitsha, and Sarkin Kano, Muhammadu lecture Sanusi giving a round of applause during the lecture

The Chancellor, Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, presenting a plaque L-R: Mariya Aliko Dangote, Halima Aliko Dangote and Suleiman to the Guest Lecturer, Aliko Dangote, GCON, after the lecture Bello during the occasion

Chairman of the Occasion, Alh. Muhammadu Sanusi, receiving The entourage of Sarkin Kano, Alh. Muhammadu Sanusi II, a plaque from the Chancellor, Nnaemeka Alfred U. Achebe departing Kontagora Square after the convocation lecture

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38 TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY: DAY 1 Convocation Lecture, Delivered by Alh. Aliko Dangote, GCON, Friday, 29th January, 2016 Theme: The Role of Entrepreneurship in National Development: The Story of The Dangote Group

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, delivering his L-R: Former Vice Chancellors, Professor Ango Abdullahi and welcome address Professor S.U. Abdullahi at the convocation lecture

Wazirin Zazzau, Alh. Ibrahim Aminu in a chat with the Deputy Chairman of the Occasion, Sarkin Kano, Alh. Muhammadu Vice Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Ibrahim Na’iya Sada Sanusi II, delivering his opening remark

A cross section of directors and HODs during the event A cross section traditional title holders at the occasion

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38 TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY: DAY 1 Convocation Lecture, Delivered by Alh. Aliko Dangote, GCON, Friday, 29th January, 2016 Theme: The Role of Entrepreneurship in National Development: The Story of The Dangote Group

From left: His Majesty, the Obi of Onitsha, Nnemeka Alfred The Guest Lecturer, Alh. Aliko Dangote, GCON (left), with the Ugochukwu Achebe and Sarkin Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II Chairman, ABU Governing Council, Arc. Mohammed Dewu

L-R: The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Ibrahim L-R: Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Ezra Bako Na’iya Sada and Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Garba Amans and the Registrar, Dr. Isah Mohammed Abbas

The University Orator, Dr. G.Y. Sadiq welcoming guests to the A cross section of guests at the Kontagora Square convocation lecture

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38 TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY: DAY 2 Convocation Ceremony for the Award of Diplomas and Degrees 2013/2014 & 2014/2015 Academic Sessions - Saturday, 30th January, 2016

ABU security band leading the 38th Convocation procession The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, leading the procession

A cross section of Deans L-R: The Bursar, Mal. Ibrahim Shehu Usman, Ag. University Librarian, Abdullahi Musa, DVC Academics, Prof. Ezra Bako Amans, and DVC Administration, Prof. Ibrahim Na’iya Sada in a procession

From left: The Vice Chancellor, IBB University, Lapai, Prof. A cross section of directors and HODs Muhammad Nasir Maiturare and other visiting vice chancellors

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38 TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY: DAY 2 Convocation Ceremony for the Award of Diplomas and Degrees 2013/2014 & 2014/2015 Academic Sessions - Saturday, 30th January, 2016

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, discussing with the The Deputy Governor, Kaduna State, Arc. Barnabas Bala representative of the Visitor to the University, Prof. Akaneren Essien Bantex (left) and ABU Pro-Chancellor, Arc. Mohammed Dewu

Sarkin Kano, Alh. Muhammadu Sanusi II His Highness, Alh. (Dr.) Shehu Idris, Emir of Zazzau,

The Deputy Imam, ABU Central Mosque, Mallam Saidu Yunus, L-R: Galadiman Zazzau, Alh. Nuhu Aliyu and Wazirin Zazzau, praying to declare the convocation open Alh. Ibrahim Aminu

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38 TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY: DAY 2 Convocation Ceremony for the Award of Diplomas and Degrees 2013/2014 & 2014/2015 Academic Sessions - Saturday, 30th January, 2016

The Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, His Majesty, The Vice Chancellor, Professor Ibrahim Garba delivering his Nnaemeka Alfred U. Achebe delivering his address convocation address

ABU Alumni National President, Dr. Tijjani Mora (left) listening to From left, former University Librarian, Mal. Inuwa Dikko and the Vice Chancellor’s address former Vice Chancellor, Prof. S.U. Abdullahi during the event

A cross section of graduands from the Faculty of Medicine A cross section of graduands of the Faculty of Engineering

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38 TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY: DAY 2 Convocation Ceremony for the Award of Diplomas and Degrees 2013/2014 & 2014/2015 Academic Sessions - Saturday, 30th January, 2016

The representative of the Visitor to the University, Professor L-R: Professor Ibrahim Garba and Professor Akaneren Essien Akaneren Essien, delivering the Visitor’s speech singing the National Anthem at the end of the ceremony

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, receiving a scroll Professor Ibrahim Garba (middle) presenting a certificate to a from the representative of the Director-General, NTI, Kaduna graduating student

The ABU Alumni National President, Dr. Ahmed Tijjani Mora, Former Governor, Jigawa State, Alh. Sule Lamido, celebrating inducting the newly-graduated students into the ABU Alumni with his son during the convocation

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 28 NEWS

Chancellor’s visit to the Executive Governor, Kaduna State

The Chancellor and Executive Governor, Kaduna State flanked by other members during the courtesy visit to Government House, Kaduna

By Zainab Abdullahi Musa on him. He pledged to carry out his The Governor, Malam Nasir n Wednesday, 27th January, duties as a Chancellor diligently. He Ahmed El-Rufa'i, in his response said 2 0 1 6 t h e C h a n c e l l o r, stated that he is poised on what he can he is always proud to say that the OAhmadu Bello University, do to improve the status of the University has become part and parcel HRM Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu University especially in the area of of the State. He stated that the Achebe, accompanied by the ABU funding. He stated that his vision is to University is having a great impact on Management team paid a courtesy ensure that the University regains its the State. He mentioned that Zaria visit to the Executive Governor, leadership position among Higher City owes a lot to the University and Kaduna State, Mal. Nasir Ahmed El- Educational Institutions in Africa. He thus by implication the State. Rufa'i. The Chancellor described how urged the Governor as a prominent Malam El-Rufa'i indicated pleased he was to be in the Alumnus of the University to lead interest in attending the Convocation government house. He commiserated other Alumni in sourcing for support Lecture and Ceremony especially as with the Governor and people of for the University. He congratulated his two friends, Alhaji Aliko Dangote Kaduna State on the unfortunate the Governor for his handling of the and HRH Muhammadu Sanusi II, altercations with the Shi'ites in Zaria, State affairs and wished him and the Sarkin Kano, would be gracing the which led to loss of lives and property. good people of Kaduna State well. event. He went further to say that He prayed that such mishaps shall not The Chancellor urged the Kaduna State would do whatever is Governor and the University occur again. required to promote the growth of the Management to ensure that they The Chancellor stated that the University, because by contributing to continue with the harmonious the development of the University, it visit was to personally reinforce the relationship and encouraged both to is as well contributing to the growth of invitation sent to the Governor by the continue to interact so that they get t h Zaria City and Kaduna State in University to attend the 38 along on all matters pertaining to the C o n v o c a t i o n C e r e m o n y. H e University and the State. general. expressed gratitude to the Governor The Deputy Governor, Arch In conclusion, the Executive for the security and attention given to Barnabas Bantex was first to respond Governor said he is willing and ready the University by the state after the Chancellor's remarks and to assist the University to leverage on government, adding that he said he was looking forward to a its Alumni network. He stated that appreciates the existing cordial greater synergy between the state Ahmadu Bello University has the relationship between the State and the government and the University capacity to have a massive and University and hopes it would Management. He also mentioned that powerful Alumni network that can continue. even though he and the Governor had assist in generating huge resources to His Majesty, the Obi of Onitsha, made effort to contribute to the carter for its needs. He then thanked also stated that upon reflection on his University by teaching for some the Chancellor for the visit and appointment as Chancellor to ABU, years, he still feels they have so much w i s h e d h i m a n d t h e A B U he appreciated the honour bestowed to offer to the Institution. Management journey mercy.

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Chancellor's visit to Sarkin Kano, Alh. Muhammadu Sanusi II By Zainab Abdullahi Musa the Kano Emirate. leaders, they have the moral i s R o y a l M a j e s t y, His Majesty, the Obi of Onitsha o b l i g a t i o n o f i n f o r m i n g N n a e m e k a A l f r e d was very grateful to the Sarkin Governments at all levels of the HUgochukwu Achebe, the Kano for finding time out of his true situation of people at the Obi of Onitsha and Chancellor, very busy schedule to receive him grassroot. The Sarkin Kano Ahmadu Bello University, in his and the members of the ABU lamented on the growing youth th effort towards a successful 38 Management. His Majesty then unemployment, and stated that Convocation Ceremony, visited formally urged the Sarkin Kano to something drastic had to be done His Royal Highness, Alh. accept the invitation and serve as by all to avoid a societal calamity. Muhammadu Sanusi II, Sarkin the Chairman of the Convocation He warned that in the next 20 Kano at his palace in Kano. Lecture and as well commission a years, this country would have The Chancellor expressed two-storey building donated to the over 80 million youths with no appreciation for the hospitality Department of Political Science & jobs or skills. He then called for accorded to him and his entourage International Studies by an greater interactions between at the palace. He stated that he was traditional leaders to stimulate Alumnus. personally at the palace to invite peaceful coexistence and to bring Responding, the Sarkin Kano, the Sarkin Kano to attend the ABU about meaningful development. th Alh. Muhammadu Sanusi II, said 38 Convocation Lecture and Alh. Muhammadu Sanusi Ceremony. The Chancellor traced he felt honoured to have the Obi of charged the ABU Management to the long-standing cordial Onitsha in his palace and has create an office to engage in fund- relationship he had enjoyed with accepted the invitation, to attend raising to source for additional the late Emir of Kano, Alh. (Dr.) the ABU Convocation Lecture and support to the University. He noted Ado Bayero. Stating further that Ceremony. that the University had a large he cherished his association with He also mentioned that, as Alumni base. He assured the Chancellor of his support to their collective resolve to unite the people for enhanced development. He stated that the current crisis situation in the North Eastern part of the country will only change if the society's attitude and perception are changed. He opined that the best way to attain attitudinal change in the society is through engagement in fruitful activities. Alh. Muhammadu Sanusi II, Sarkin Kano, finally urged the general public to pray for peace and development for the country. He thanked the Chancellor and the University Management for the visit. He wished the Chancellor and the Management, Staff and Students of the University a s u c c e s s f u l C o n v o c a t i o n Ceremony. Before leaving the palace, the Chancellor donated copies of his HRM Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha & Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria donating copies of his books to the Kano Emirate books to the Palace and the Bayero University Kano.

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INAUGURAL LECTURE SERIES: THE HOST OR THE PARASITE; WHO IS WINNING? By Ahmadu A. Is'haq he trajectory of academic excellence in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria had T th on Wednesday, 17 February, 2016 recorded another milestone when Professor O.J. Ajanusi, Professor of Veterinary Parasitology in the Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine presented an inaugural lecture titled: “The Host or the Parasite, Who is Winning?” P r o f e s s o r A j a n u s i ' s presentation gave intertwining definitions of what the Host and the Parasite means. He explained that the parasite is an organism that lives in or on another organism, called host, and often harms it. It is dependent on its host for survival. Prof. O.J. Ajanusi, delivering the lecture Ajanusi stressed that, a parasite cannot live independently. Although a parasite rarely kills its parasites for the purpose of his host. host, in some cases it does. The lecture based on the predilection He further explained the life parasite benefits at the expense of site. That is, location of the cycle of helminth parasites – the host, as it uses the host to gain helminth within the host, which are Nematoda, Trematoda, Cestoda strength, and the host loses some e i t h e r E c t o p a r a s i t e s o r and the diagnosis of helminth strength as a result. Unlike Endoparasites. infection and impacts of predators parasites according to The ectoparasites he said, live helminths. the lecturer, are much smaller than on the host's surface, examples The presentation highlighted their host. include some mites, lice, ticks etc. more on his contribution in the The parasite is thus, “a while endoparasites live inside the field of veterinary parasitology. complete burden to the host. host, and includes helminths This, includes studies on parasites Although in very few instances, (worms) such as the roundworms of ruminants, studies on Fasciola such as the 'self-cure phenomenon' (e.g. the Ascarids), heartworm specie (the liver fluke), Fasciola seen in some helminth infections, (Dirofilaria), the tapeworm (e.g. gigantica (the Tropical species) the host is able to eliminate an Taenia) and the flukes (e.g. and clinico-pathological studies of existing infection, in most Schistomes and Fasciola specie – infection in Yankassa sheep. instances the host is helpless in liver fluke) and protozoa parasites While dwelling on the results, eliminating infection because the s u c h a s T r y p a n o s o m e s , he gave explanations on clinical parasite changes its antigenic Plasmodium, Babesia, Anaplasma, s i g n s , H e l m i n t h o l o g i c a l make-up before the host is able to Cowdria specie, etc. observations, gross pathological mount enough defense against it”, Professor Ajanusi's lecture lesions and Histopathological he added. centered mainly on helminth changes. He said, “the study This situation, Professor parasites. He gave the general clearly demonstrated that F. Ajanusi, declared, informed the introduction of helminths, class gigantica is very pathogenic in choice of the topic for this lecture. Nematoda, class Trematoda, class Yankassa sheep, given the fact that He went further to classify the Cestoda, helminth parasite and only 200MC caused the degree of

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 31 INAUGURAL LECTURE SERIES THE HOST OR THE PARASITE; WHO IS WINNING? lesions and mortality, where as a single leaf blade can contain more than 1000MC in a heavily infested area”, he mentioned. The lecture also provided useful clues for ante/post mortem field diagnosis of fasciolosis due to F. gigantica. Thus, sheep and other susceptible mammals, according to Ajanusi, should not be grazed near river banks during dry season. This, he said, is because the study showed that infected snails were shedding cercariae in the rainy season, especially in August, meaning that the river bank will be infected by the succeeding dry The DVC Admin, Prof. Ibrahim Na’iya Sada (left), presenting a plaque to the Lecturer season. He also spoke on the said, was employed to determine from rats infected with antiserum evaluation of protective ability of the presence or otherwise, of in the passive protection trial. primary antisera in passive immunoglobulin in sera collected Followed by evaluation of the protection trial, the fluke recovery from infected rats, using adult F. 25KDa antigen in vaccination trial – fluke burdens or individual rats hepatica ES and somatic proteins and the result was presented. in the two passive protection trials, as antigens. Sources of antigens The next issue was studies on liver pathology in the experimental was discussed, and result of biosynthetically radio-labelled F. rats, fluke burden/assessed liver Antibody response of rats infected hepatica ES products and immune- pathology of rats and passive to produce anti-F. hepatica serum corecipitation essay. protection trial-2. was equally presented. The lecture dwelled on studies Excretory/secretory products Antibody response of rats in of the relative importance of of parasites were equally torched the passive protection trials and different Trichostrongylic species in the lecture. This include, studies western blot studies techniques during the dry season in the on ES products of F. hepatica used in cell and molecular biology Northern Guinea Zone of Nigeria. obtaining the four important life was also explained. It established that Haemonchus is cycle stages of F. hepatica and Ajanusi presented the SDS- the most important prevalent newly excysed Juveniles (NEJ or PAGE Seperation/Electrophoretic trichostrongyle in sheep in Zaria DO flukes); it includes, invasive transfer of proteins/Reaction of a r e a . A n d s h o w e d t h a t stages (Day-old or D1 flukes) strips with sera followed by probe H a e m o n c h u s a n d parenchymal or migratory stages of complete culture medium with Oesophagostomum species go into (Day 14 or D14, Day 28 or D28 and antisera. And, probing F. hepatica h y p o b i o s i s o r a r r e s t e d Day 42 or D42 flukes), Adult ES with pooled sequential bleeds development within the host to flukes (Day 56 or D56 flukes), from rats in the trial to produce survive the adverse effects of the culture of flukes for collection of (protective) antiserum. long dry season, among others. Total ES products NEJs and D1 Also, he discussed on probing He further tackled studies on flukes. And, determination of with pooled sera from rats that had helminth parasites of dogs, that is, protein content of the culture neither fluke nor liver pathology as Necropsy-based survey of dog supernatant. challenges in the passive helminths. And the studies on According to the erudite protection trial. This extended on parasites of the Guinea fowl scholar, evaluation of the presence probe of surface and somatic (Numida meleagris). of anti-F. hepatica antibodies in extracts of D56 F. hepatica, with Instructively, therefore, the sera from the infected rats using sera from rats in the trial to produce inaugural lecture spoke on some Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent (protective) antiserum. It includes aspects of Fasciola specie. The Assay (ELISA) has been N-octyl glucopyranoside (NoG) parasite, its pathogenesis, established as a useful diagnosis extracts of adult fluke and Cetyl pathology and diagnosis and tool for detection of antibodies in Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide antigen that might be involved in infected hosts. The procedure, he (CTAB) extracts, with pooled sera protection against the parasite.

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 32 INAUGURAL LECTURE SERIES THE HOST OR THE PARASITE; WHO IS WINNING?

The studies reported in this lecture have proved the use of ELISA in early diagnosis of the disease, that is, the conventional method of faecal egg detection has the disadvantage of the fact that by the time the infection is detectable, most heavily infected animals would have died of the disease. It also identified a 25KDa ES antigen as potential vaccine candidate. Ajanusi argued that, “the dog is an important companion of man”, thus, reiterated the fact that, virtually every dog sampled in the study was infected with at least one helminths species, some of which are of zoonotic importance. Front row: From left, DVC Admin, Prof. Ibrahim Na’iya Sada; DVC Academics, Prof. Ezra Parasites, according to the Bako Amans and Chairman, University Organized Lectures, Prof. Mohammed Dewu presenter, appear to be winning the war, judging from the points immunochemicals, reagents and investigation to verify their enumerated. He said, “excretions regular power supply are factors existence in some states in and secretions of helminthes form that need to be addressed for Northern Nigeria is ongoing. interphase between the helminth personnel to put their skills and Accordingly; the existence of F. and the host tissues or organs. knowledge to good use and make hepatica will make for much While detailed study on ES impact on the health and economy investigations on the vaccine for products can provide clues on of the populace. And of course, real protection. Since the species, antigens that may be of value in n e e d f o r c o l l a b o r a t i v e unlike F. gigantica, is ineffective diagnosis or protection against the investigations among relevant for laboratory animals. – Ajanusi particular helminth.” Monoclonal arms of science for impact-making concluded. antibodies against protective research. T h e Vi c e C h a n c e l l o r, antigens, such as the 25KDa The presenter stressed that, Professor Ibrahim Garba, was identified in this lecture, can be there are allusions as to the represented by the Deputy Vice used for vaccination. However, existence of both F. hepatica and a Chancellor (Administration), availability of adequate equipment hybrid species of the helminth in Professor Ibrahim Na'aiya Sada, at f o r p a r a s i t e c u l t u r e , neighbouring countries. And that, the inaugural lecture. Professor Sada congratulated the presenter for a wonderful lecture. “He did not bore us, he went directly to the point and he did not read it, he spoke throughout. He had a good grasp of the topic and warned about negligence on this parasites which we consume in the food we prepare… It is a lecture well delivered”. – Sada remarked. The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Admin), presented a plague to the lecturer, as part of the tradition of inaugural lecture in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in appreciation o f P r o f e s s o r A j a n u s i ' s contributions to the promotion of sound academic culture in ABU. Cross section of audience at the inaugural lecture

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 33 COMMUNIQUÉ

Department of Political Science & International Studies Issues a Communiqué after an International Conference

A cross section of dignitaries on the high table

By Adamu Mohammed (e) The capacity of civil society 8. The immunity clause in the organizations to serve as effective constitution should be amended to give he Department of Political observers. the President and Governors immunity Science and International S t u d i e s o r g a n i z e d a n only from civil litigations T Furthermore, the conference also 9. There is the need to initiate a major international conference with the observed that deepening democracy Theme: “Deepening Democracy reform of the judicial process to reduce goes beyond the election process only. unnecessary delays and technicalities Through Elections in Nigeria: An The whole process, they said, should be Assessment.” The conference took 10. Gender inequality in the selection of th taken into account in order not to place on 9 March, 2016 at the political parties should be addressed endanger democracy. These include 11. There is need to revisit the report of University Assembly Hall, with pre-election activities, election and post participants drawn from various election situations. Uwais committee on electoral reform universities and other tertiary Also contained in the communiqué particularly on credible electoral institutions across the country. system i.e. proportional representation The conference was organized by were various recommendations that the conference deemed fit could ameliorate 12. The opinions expressed by the department in order to assess the independent observers on elections 2015 general elections and other the problems of our electoral system and democracy. should always be considered diligently matters arising from the conduct of the and acted upon. elections. Several papers were presented by eminent scholars who The communiqué recommended thus, reviewed the previous elections in 1. The Independent National Electoral The Department of Political Science Nigeria from 1923. The general focus of Commission should be unbundled to and International Studies expressed the conference was on the 2015 general allow other agencies to take part in the appreciation to those who gave moral elections. responsibilities given to INEC (e.g. and financial support for the success of At the end of the conference, the voters' education, payment of security the conference. These include, the Vice Department released a communiqué agencies, etc) Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University based on the following observation and 2. INEC should conduct elections at Zaria, Professor Ibrahim Garba, the recommendations. Local Government level and Independent National Electoral The conference noted that, five government should abolish state Commission, the Inspector General of factors accounted for the peaceful electoral commissions Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, the former 3. The accreditation of voters should be outcome of the 2015 general elections. Inspector General of Police, Alhaji (a) The determination of Nigerian done simultaneously with voting to avoid delays in casting and counting of Ibrahim Coomasie, Honourable Alhaji electorates who were fed up with Garba Datti Babawo and others too recurrent electoral frauds votes (b) The capacity of a group of 4. Stiff penalties should be introduced numerous to mention. opposition parties to come together, for all electoral offences The communiqué was jointly thereby overcoming its fragmental 5. Registration of voters should be an signed by the Chairman Local nature ongoing exercise Organising Committee, Professor Rauf

(c.) The determination of the electoral 6. Transmission of results from voting Ayo Dunmoye, the Chairman commission to conduct credible centres to collation centres should be Communiqué Committee, Prof. Hudu election done electronically Abdullahi and the Head, Department of (d) The independence of a section of 7. A constitutional court should be set- Political Science and International the media up to take care of electoral issues Studies, Dr. Yusufu Yakubu.

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The ABU/MacArthur Foundation Supported Centre of Excellence in Veterinary Epidemiology partner other Universities in Teaching and Research By Ingino Voh he Centre of Excellence in Veterinary Epidemiology (CEVE) Tis executing a collaborative program between the Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, ABU, Zaria and three other universities for training and research in Veterinary Epidemiology. The collaborating universities are: University of Maiduguri, University of Agriculture Makurdi and Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. The ABU Centre of Excellence in Veterinary Epidemiology (ABUCEVE) is one of the four (4) Centres of Excellence supported by grant funds from the MacArthur Foundation in the University. The training program leads to the The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, presenting a laptop computer to the award of M.Sc Veterinary Epidemiology, representative of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto with resource persons for teaching and supervision of students drawn from all institutions, while the actual teaching takes place in Ahmadu Bello University. In order to support the collaborating universities through their Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, and strengthen their capacity in the context of the program, a set of storage equipment, laptop computers, printers and Geographic Information System handled devices were distributed to them accordingly. In addition, the project has also procured equipment for the General Laboratory and the Molecular Epidemiology Laboratory that will reside in the host Department. The Vice Chancellor, Professor Ibrahim Garba, who was present at the brief ceremony, hands over the materials to the representatives of the collaborating Universities. The representative of University of Agriculture, Makurdi, receiving a laptop Professor Garba, after receiving computer from the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ibrahim Garba reports and inspecting the materials purchased applauded the performance of the Centre of Excellence. He charged its leadership to explore ways of sustaining the programme beyond the MacArthur Foundation grant which he expressed his willingness to support. The students were inspired by the presence of the Vice Chancellor who also handed over Laptop computers to them. In a related development, the Vice Chancellor reiterated the need for synergy between various departments and units of the University as regards research equipment. He informed that a committee had been set up to take an inventory of all research/laboratory equipment in the University to avoid duplication and also to provide awareness o f t h e i r a v a i l a b i l i t y t o o t h e r departments/units in need of such The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Garba (middle) in a group photograph with equipment. the collaborating partners after the presentation

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 35 NEWS ABU Microfinance Bank Commissions ATM Card and e-Product Services By Ingino Voh he chequered history of the ABU Microfinance Bank began from Ta humble beginning in a small building opposite the University Sickbay at Samaru, presently the ABUCONS meat and poultry unit, to a modestly bigger structure, adjacent to the University security office, down to its permanent state-of-the-art head office, located by the Main Gate of the ABU Samaru Campus, Zaria. The ABU Microfinance Bank has grown in leap and bounds over the years, making true the proverb “from small beginnings come great things.” Over the years, the ever growing bank has been exploring ways and means to adopt modern technologies into its operations in order to satisfy the The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Garba making a remark before the commissioning yearnings of its customers. To that effect, the ABU Microfinance Bank development. The bank provides by customers in the comfort of their recently commissioned its ATM cards agricultural financing by supporting offices or homes using the internet and and e-product services. groups and cooperatives with loans and mobile banking platforms. He assured To chair this milestone event was inputs under the CBN agricultural customers that the future looks very the Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello credit scheme of which the bank was bright for the ABU Microfinance bank University, Professor Ibrahim Garba. rated the best Microfinance Bank in as it is prepared to adopt mobile The Managing Director of the Kaduna State. Mal. Rafindadi was banking, agency banking and point of Bank, Mal. Sa’ad Hassan Rafindadi, in delighted to inform the audience that sale (PoS) operations all in an effort to his welcome address, welcomed all the bank also supports women empower its clients with modern guests and customers to the empowerment through granting of applications for their convenience. He commissioning. He stated that the loans to over twenty women groups. noted that this will reduce congestion in journey which took several years to The Vice Chancellor, Ahmadu the banking hall and make banking easy achieve came with its challenges. He Bello University, Professor Ibrahim and pleasant. assured customers that “this is a bank Garba in his speech applauded the The Vice Chancellor thanked the that listens to their complaints and is Management and Board of Directors of organizations that partnered with the willing to proffer solutions to them as the ABU Microfinance Bank for bank, which include Dynatech far as banking is concerned.” In achieving another milestone in the Communications Nigeria Ltd and addition to the services being history of the bank. He mentioned that Sterling Bank Nigeria Ltd for providing commissioned, he also informed the bank has risen up to the occasion and the e-platform on which the ABU customers and guests that the bank is at par with commercial banks in Microfinance Bank operates. The ATM offers financial support to SMEs which offering services to its customers. He machines were then formally are the engine room of national stated that banking today is conducted commissioned by the Vice Chancellor.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Ibrahim Garba making a transaction on one of the newly-commissioned ATM machines, with the Managing Director, ABU Microfinance Bank, Mal. Sa’ad Hassan Rafindadi

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 36 NEWS ANAN Commissions Research Centre for Accounting Department By Zainab Abdullahi Musa he Association of National Accountants of Nigeria T(ANAN) commissioned a one storey building at the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria Samaru campus. In a brief remark while paying a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor, the President of A N A N , M r . A n t h o n y Chukwuemeka Nzom, stated that they were honuored to be in one of the biggest universities in the country. He also stated their gratitude for the reception they were accorded in the University. The President said that they were in the University to formally The Centre being commissioned by ANAN President, Mr. Anthony Chukwuemeka Nzom hand over the one storey building donated to the University's University and finding it worthy for Bank during the Governorship of Accounting Department by the such development. Alh. Sanusi Lamido II, Sarkin Association (ANAN). He solicited Professor Garba also urged Kano, is close to the ANAN that the building would be put into other professional bodies and Research Centre. good use so that the Department associations to emulate ANAN and Prof. Ibrahim Garba promised the Association that the building and its students would benefit embrace the idea of giving back to Nigerian Higher Education would be adequately utilized to immensely from it. train students to become better Mr. Chukwuemeka also Institutions, saying it is of immense importance to the society to do professionals in their chosen career. mentioned that as an institution, something like what ANAN did. After the visit, the building was ABU needed to be equipped in T h e V i c e C h a n c e l l o r officially commissioned by the order to meet up with the demands m e n t i o n e d t h e p l e a s a n t Vice Chancellor. The Association of such professional programmes. coincidence that the Centre of thanked the Vice Chancellor for his T h e A N A N P r e s i d e n t Excellence, donated by the Central time and support. r e q u e s t e d t h e U n i v e r s i t y M a n a g e m e n t t o c o n s i d e r appointing a fellow professional as coordinator to manage the centre. He also pledged to complete the furnishing of the offices soon. ANAN shall also offer N1 million naira (N1,000,000) to the University annually to support the day-to-day running of the Research Centre. In his response, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ibrahim Garba, welcomed the National Executive Committee of ANAN to the University. He commended the Association for the donation of the building. He expressed gratitude to From left: The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, Registrar, Dr. Isa Mohammed Abbas and ANAN for choosing Ahmadu Bello ANAN President, Mr. Anthony Chukwuemeka Nzom inspecting the building after commissioning

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 3 7 NEWS

Wife of Kaduna State Governor Celebrates International Women's Day in ABU

By Ahmadu A. Is’haq lecture titled “Inspiring and Motivating Young Women” Aaimed at empowering the f e m a l e g e n d e r t h r o u g h entrepreneurship was organized by the Gender Policy Unit, Office of the Vice Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria alongside the Office of Her Excellency, the Wife of the Kaduna State Governor, Hajiya Ummee Nasir El-Rufa'i, who graced the occasion with her presence. The event took place at the th University Assembly Hall on 4 Hajiya Ummee Nasir El-Rufa’i Professor Ibrahim Garba March, 2016. A lecture with the Wife of the Kaduna State Governor Vice Chancellor, ABU, Zaria theme: “Empowering Women T h r o u g h I n n o v a t i o n a n d Entrepreneurship” was delivered by Dr. Salma Abbasi, who was the Guest Speaker and Chairperson/CEO, eWorldwide Group, USA. A question and answer session followed immediately. In his remark, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ibrahim Garba, disclosed that, Ahmadu Bello University has gone far in entrepreneurship education; students are currently undergoing an e n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p t r a i n i n g programme, ranging from moulding Dr. Salma Abbasi, Chairperson/CEO Dr. Binta Abdulkarim, Coordinator, of blocks, sewing, baking, juice eWorlwide Group, USA Gender Policy Unit, ABU, Zaria making, preparing of soaps, etc. He reiterated ABU's commitment, citing an example of the ongoing International Rural Centre for Entrepreneurship in Kongo Campus of the University. In her closing remarks, the Coordinator, Gender Policy Unit, Dr. Binta Abdulkarim, thanked the wife of the Kaduna State Governor, the ABU Management and all those who attended the lecture. She asserted, “This is International Women's Day, but we also need men around!” Dr. Binta pleaded with the University Management to go ahead on its attempt to establish a day care centre to cater for staff and students who have babies. A cross section of audience during the event

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 38 NEWS

By Nafisa Ahmad Collaboration Between APPOINTMENTS |Muhammad he Vice Chancellor, Ahmadu ABU and NDIC, a Welcome TBello University, Zaria, Professor Ibrahim Garba has made a number of appointments to Development – VC various positions in the University for a period of two years. By Ahmadu A. Is’haq he Vice Chancellor, Ahmadu These appointments are: Bello University, Zaria, 1. Dr. Abdullahi Nasiru of Professor Ibrahim Garba, has D e p a r t m e n t o f B u s i n e s s T Administration – Deputy Director, e x p r e s s e d a p p r e c i a t i o n f o r collaboration between the University Entrepreneurship Programmes, and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Centre for Entrepreneurship Corporation (NDIC). Development; Represented by the Dean, School 2. Professor Idris Abubakar of Department of Civil Engineering – of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Director, Projects, Ahmadu Bello Kabiru Bala, the Vice Chancellor University Consultancy Company described the gesture as a welcome (ABUCONS); development. He remarked, “This will 3. Professor Sani Ibrahim of go along way in improving the Department of Biochemistry – capacity of graduates and encouraging Director, Directorate of Research a link between industries and the and Innovation; academia.” 4. Professor Jimoh Boyi of According to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ibrahim Garba D e p a r t m e n t o f E l e c t r i c a l emphasis in this regard is placed on Engineering – Deputy Director, competence and quality of graduates, Deposit Insurance (INS 314) and Institute of Computer and which also translates to competency Practice of Deposit Insurance (INS Information & Communication design and curricular base in terms of 413) with the aim of imparting Technology (ICICT); training; as both staff and students are knowledge to the students. And the 5. Dr. Halidu Hamza of Department involved. “It is a milestone student who do well will be given a of Geology – Director, Geology, collaboration with NDIC. prize.” He explained. Mineral and Water Resources, The Head of Department, As part of the exercise, prices were A h m a d u B e l l o U n i v e r s i t y Business Administration, Professor given for the best performing students. Consultancy Company (ABUCONS); Bello Sabo, further explained the First prize was N500,000, laptop and 6. Professor Suleiman Abdullahi content of the MoU. He said the textbooks, second prize was Karwai of Department of Business department is delighted because it was N300,000, a laptop and textbooks, Administration – Managing the first to go into this arrangement while the third prize was N150,000 Director, Ahmadu Bello University throughout the federation, meaning with a laptop and textbooks. A Consultancy Company (ABUCONS); that ABU and NDIC have both consolation prize was also given to the 7. Dr. Aliyu Sanusi Rafindadi of fulfilled their obligations. student who came fourth. Department of Economics – Professor Sabo said, “the NDIC The Managing Director, NDIC, D i r e c t o r , C e n t r e f o r approached the department for the Alhaji Umar Ibrahim, was represented Entrepreneurship Development/ introduction of two professional by the Head, Research and Policy International Centre of Excellence courses as earlier contained in the Strategy, Dr. Doye Afolabi, at the in Rural Finance and Entrepre- MoU, namely – Fundamentals of occasion. neurship; 8. Dr. Muhammad Khalid Othman of National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services – Director, Agricultural Resources, A h m a d u B e l l o U n i v e r s i t y Consultancy Company (ABUCONS).

In the letter of appointment, the vice chancellor urged them to be fair and honest in all their official dealings. ABU News and the entire University community wish them a successful The Senate Building, ABU, Zaria NDIC Head Office Building, Abuja tenure.

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 39 NEWS

Head, China Institute of Atomic Energy Pays Visit to the Vice Chancellor

By Adamu Mohammed he Head, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Dr. Li TYuguo, paid a courtesy visit on the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ibrahim Garba. Disclosing the purpose of the visit to the Vice Chancellor, the Director, ABU Centre for Energy Research, Dr. Yusuf Ahmed explained that the visit is to intimate the Vice Chancellor of the cordial relationship between the China Institute of Atomic Energy and the ABU Centre for Energy Research. Explaining further, Dr. Yusuf stated that Dr. Li Yuguo and other members of his team were in the Dr. Li Yuguo explains a point, while Prof. Ibrahim Garba responds country in connection with Nigeria Reactor upgrading which is supported by the International Dr. Li Yuguo and other members of his team were Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the country in connection with Nigeria Reactor and the United States Department upgrading which is supported by the International of Energy. The Centre for Energy Research is collaborating with the Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United team to assess the Reactor needs States Department of Energy. The Centre for for the upgrading. Energy Research is collaborating with the team In his remark, Dr. Li expressed to assess the Reactor needs for the upgrading appreciations to the ABU Centre for its hospitality. He mentioned the readiness of members of his team on the Reactor upgrading assignment. R e s p o n d i n g , t h e Vi c e Chancellor, Professor Ibrahim Garba, hailed the strategic composition of the assessment team and wished them a very f u l f i l l i n g a n d s u c c e s s f u l assignment. He charged them to come up with sustainable energy alternatives for the centre. This, he said, will go a long way in enhancing easy and efficient management of facilities at the centre. Prof. Garba urged the team to carry out their critical assignment Dr. Li Yuguo admiring a copy of ABU News magazine presented to him dutifully. by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ibrahim Garba during the visit

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 40 NEWS

Stanbic IBTC Team Pays Visit to the Vice Chancellor By Ingino Voh team from the Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers led by AMadam Nike Bajomo, the Head Business Development Unit of the Company paid a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor. In her remark, Madam Bajomo stated that the purpose of their visit is to appreciate the University community for patronage over the years, adding that Ahmadu Bello University Zaria is one of their prominent client in Kaduna State. She further mentioned that, there is the need to involve PENCOM in the various interactive sessions on the contributory pension scheme for effective stakeholder The Vice Chancellor, Professor Ibrahim Garba, presenting a souvenir to the involvement and commitment. Stanbic IBTC Team leader, Madam Nike Bajomo in appreciation of their visit While responding, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ibrahim pay him a courtesy visit. He also and the need to involve all Garba welcomed the team and also charged the team to be up and doing stakeholders in the pension scheme. appreciated their thoughtfulness to in the discharge of pension matters National Association of Kano State Students Visit Vice Chancellor, Seek More Support encouragement to the course of the association, while also advising the By Ingino Voh session. He went further to brief the association to be very prudent in he newly elected officials of the Vice Chancellor on the various financial dealings and also draw up a TNational Association of Kano State challenges facing the association. viable investment plan that can sustain Students (NAKSS) paid a courtesy visit In his response, the Vice the financial needs of the association. “I to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Chancellor, Professor Ibrahim Garba, advise you never to allow the activities Ibrahim Garba. reiterated the importance of unity and of the Association to take priority over In his remark, the President of the the need to come together in an your academic programmes,” he added. Prof. Garba also admonished the Association, Comrade Auwal environment such as the University. He executives and cautioned them to desist Muhammad Yahuza, described the Vice mentioned that as a former member and one time patron of the Association, he is from anti social activities that will Chancellor as a great mentor worthy of tarnish the image of the association. emulation. He pointed out that the assuring them of his total support and opportunity given to the association's executives to meet with Sarkin Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, during the 38 t h Convocation ceremony deserved commendation. Comrade Yahuza stated that the aim of the association is to foster academic excellence amongst students and also facilitate the award of scholarships to deserving Kano State indigenes including the provision of guidance and counseling to members of the association. The President also informed the Vice Chancellor that the Association is proposing to host a home coming event for all Kano State students in the second semester of the 2015/2016 academic Prof. Ibrahim Garba (middle) exchanging pleasantries with the NAKSS members

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 4 1 FAREWELL

Glorious Exit As Members of Staff Honours Outgoing Bursar By Ahmadu A. Is’haq paper titled “Bursary D e p a r t m e n t U n d e r AGovernment Integrated F i n a n c i a l M a n a g e m e n t Information System (GIFMIS) and Treasury Single Account (TSA) R e g i m e : P r o s p e c t s a n d Challenges” was presented by the outgoing bursar, Mallam Ibrahim Shehu Usman, to mark his exit as Bursar of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The paper presentation was part of the send-off programme that took place from 29th to 31st March, 2016. L-R: Outgoing Bursar, Mal. Ibrahim Shehu Usman; Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Garba; In addition, a novelty football DVC Admin, Prof. Ibrahim Na’iya Sada and DVC Academics, Prof. Ezra Bako Amans match was played between the Bursary Department and the Registry. With 3 goals scored by Team Registry and 2 goals by Team Bursary. The Registry team’s first goal of the match was scored by Aliyu Umar Ibrahim, while the second and third goals were scored by Kamal Tajuddeen. The Bursary’s first goal was scored by Sabiu Mohammed and the second by Danjuma Dangara. A send-off party with the Vice Chancellor in attendance marked the climax of the send-off. The Vice Chancellor, Professor First goal of the match, scored by Team Registry’s No.15 Jersey, Aliyu Umar Ibrahim, Ibrahim Garba described the send- during the Novelty Football Match in honour of the outgoing Bursar off as a glorious exit for the Bursar, having served for ten years. “He is an individual we need to emulate. I have not found him wanting all through the period of my association with him. He is loyal to his superiors and colleagues” – the Vice Chancellor remarked. Professor Garba also expressed that the Bursary in ABU is one of the best, if not the best, looking at the system as a whole; and called on other members of staff to protect their integrity and profession, considering that other universities Staff of the Bursary Department, in a group photograph with the outgoing Bursar, are coming to ABU, to emulate it. Mal. Ibrahim Shehu Usman, at the end of the send-off programme in his honour

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 42 DOWN MEMORY LANE

Four years ago, a gentleman of the highest moral This gentleman was Abubakar Gimba, OFR. He character was called upon by the ABU National combined the rare qualities of being both a writer Alumni to deliver a speech on the occasion of the and a crusader per excellence. He was a writer who Alumni Annual General Assembly (AGA), which was not obscure and was a crusader who was not a coincided with the ABU’s 50th Anniversary bigot. celebration of this University. Malam Gimba was not only an Alumnus of ABU, but one of its finest. He served as the President of the The gentleman honoured the call and delivered ABU National Alumni between 2002 to 2006. He the speech, which to date, was among the best stood firm in his conviction and upheld the ideals of delivered in the University. The Assembly gave him a truth and justice despite his very frail frame. standing ovation at the end of the speech. Those The speech was typical of the Speaker, eloquent who sat by the gentleman noted that he was and purposeful. embarrassed by the ovation. He was such a decent We urge the reader to ponder and enjoy the and humble personality. speech. Hoisting The Gamji Flag Atop The Baobab By Abubakar Gimba nce upon a time, there emerged a man in these lands, who had Othe vision and courage to plant a tree. Not an ordinary tree. It was a baobab. The man, too, was not ordinary, even though he did embrace dignifying ordinariness with an unpretentious hold. He acted with self-confidence, yet well schooled in humbling nobility which affirmed the eminence and repute of his lineage. He was quite sheltered and comfortable, yet he understood the need of the multitude for a shelter, and the steps that needed to be taken to give them same, or show them how to reach such a place of refuge that could provide an abode to dream and actualize their vision . With a quiet but resolute resolve, he planted the baobab, an irrepressible and enduring tree. Selflessly, he worked to see it take firm roots and grow with admirably impressive luxuriance, providing a shade, like no other before it, to the people. While his people applauded this rare foresight, he was not in short supply of those who, with envious but venomous contempt and hate, could not stand his simple yet unyielding guts as well as his humble self-confidence that is though proud, but not arrogant, and far from ever succumbing to intimidation or blackmail. Then came the night of the long knives. And long Late Abubakar Gimba after his funeral dirge, we have not finished writing his epitaph ... But the We all know that we are, in our A.B.U. Zaria. This is why we are here baobab tree did not die. It is surviving similitude above, talking about the late for the 50th commemorative gathering and thriving, or more appropriately, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardaunan Sokoto, of the coming into fruition, in defiance struggling to do both... You all know the and his most notable and glorious of great odds, of his vision, insightful rest of the story. legacy, The Ahmadu Bello University, courage and dare of the truly brave, of

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 43 DOWN MEMORY LANE Hoisting The Gamji Flag Atop The Baobab which the Ahmadu Bello University, in Africa, after the University of Cairo". sound as overstating the case, it is very our alma mater today stands out as a So what? How many dollars, pounds, worrying. I could not go through the bold even if not an intimidating Egyptian pounds, South African rands, university budget statistics as I would statement. We are very proud of our or even Ghanaian cedes, have we have loved to. But from the glimpse I University. If some of us were to be received as prize money? Yes, did I hear had, I do not see how an institution of given marching orders to go back to the the self-praise phrase, "we have to blow the stature of our alma mater, from which so much is expected, by so many, University for a Degree in Surviving our trumpets"? Do we have to? And in so short a time, could meet the array Quantum Insecurity, or Strategic even if we must, do we do so all too of challenges before it. I doff my hat for Studies in Adaptations, we would make often while we, A.B.U, are having the budgetary management ingenuity of A.B.U our first choice. The preferred e m b a r r a s s i n g p r o b l e m s w i t h University management and staff. On a choice would naturally come to us: out accreditation of certain courses, and personal level I have known about the of fervent nostalgia, out of its have become almost invisible as we financial constraint being faced by the reputation, and for the quality of trail other universities in Africa as well university. However, from my quick knowledge output for which the as in Nigeria, and the rest of the world, reading of the budget figures 2005- university is known. This is why most in the university rankings? 2009 which are contained in the of us still push our children and The king does not blow his own Visitation Panel .of the Federal grandchildren here. trumpet. He only listens to the court Government to our university in 201.1, But, let us face the facts: some of us trumpeters, with a quiet royal and the figures from· the Bursary for would give this university a wide berth. acknowledgement. The day the king 2010-2012 (September), the University These people are, no doubt, Alumni and takes to the trumpets... the court jester will, much sooner than later, find it very difficult to maintain the present state of affairs at an optimal level of efficiency. They cannot, with any reasonable level of success, expand their facilities. It would be a mystery if they will be able to consolidate what they now have on the ground and expand, so that parents would prefer ABU to Ukraine, or Poland, or Malaysia, or even Ghana next door. From 2010 to 2012, the University collected total actual revenue of about N49.29 billion. Out of this, Personnel costs, Overhead costs, and Pensions together took N39.4 billion, which comes to about 80% of the total revenue. Capital Grants from the Federal Government from 2005 to 2011, have averaged around N200 million per annum, or a mere 1.1 % to 2.0% for he period. And of the total revenue, N4.6 billion, or about 9%, came from internal sources. In all these, Participants of the Alumni General Assembly listening to a presentation Alumni contributions had been i n f i n i t e s i m a l l y i n s i g n i f i c a n t Alumnae of this university, who deeply has a royal competitor! Reputation is percentage. This is not to say Alumni love our alma mater, but they would not a Quantum Game. Nor is the members have not made noteworthy rather send their children to the most credibility of greatness enhanced by a and helpful contributions. A few have distant foreign lands for their university recurring Sing-song Rendition of such made great personal and material sacrifices, some have made in addition, education. At great personal expense. claims. Excellence that is enduring sacrifices of their valuable time which They do this, not because they are too which a university should strive for, is a brought direct and indirect advantage to awash in money, but because A.B.U has product of quality; it is a summation of our alma mater. But most of us, if the found itself on a declining quality certain key critical variables of which, truth must be told, have succumbed to a output curve over the years. The baobab funding is crucial. And for A.B.U, the disturbing complacency, which has has survived and thriving, but the leaves albatross is funding. From staff welfare turned our perennial and pervasive are falling, the green foliage with its and morale, physical structural indifference to the fortunes of our alma past luxuriance or expected dense improvements and expansion, research mater into a habit. Yet, we have never protective growth, have become a cause and teaching facilities, to provision of hesitated in our fervent proclamation for concern. Other trees planted in other convenient and conducive environment that we attended A.B.U. parts of the country seem to outshine for students to learn, all depend on the This way, the baobab will wither ours. While we sing ourselves hoarse as amount and rate of flow of funding. and be overshadowed in luxuriance by "the biggest university in Sub-Saharan The funding picture of the A.B.U. other trees. And any claims of repute Africa" with the jewel in the crown of is a cause of great concern. While and greatness devoid of excellence will our being "the second largest university terming the scenario as "dismal" may be no more than the empty posturing of

ABU NEWS | MARCH 2016 | A PUBLICATION OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 44 DOWN MEMORY LANE Hoisting The Gamji Flag Atop The Baobab someone with royal ancestry striding the institution. And my guesstimate of us that by our complacency, we the land with airs, while he has based on certain assumptions is that, the pushed the baobab tree of hope and abandoned most of the behavioral graduates for the subsequent three and a promise into a life threatening phase of finesse of royalty, making himself an half decades would have been 70,000. stunted growth. We need to start doing object of derision. Like every inheritor This would give us an overall alumni something now. And that beginning of a great legacy, we must do honour to figure of about 105,000 for the period must start from within the university the one whose foresight and courage 1962 to 2011. This could be a itself. A new thinking on how to carry gave us the bequest we are so proud of, conservative figure. Be that as it may along every alumni must start, from and protect the integrity of our though, it is a great asset for the communication to admissions. No inheritance. This is what the Alumni university. alumni should feel alienated by way of members of our university must do. If each of us could give a token lack of communication, or even refusal That is our path of honour to tread N1,000 every month, A.B.U. would be of admission of their wards. In a way the without retreat, lest we betray ourselves richer by N105,000,000. In one year (12 partnership between the university and and the founder of our alma mater. months), the university kitty would be its alumni should be like a game of And a great betrayal it would be: enhanced by N1,260,000,000. In a cricket; those who are part of the game, for how could it be seen any other way period of five years, if we leave a though outside the field of play are when we do call and applaud Sardauna standing order of a monthly deduction actually in the game. And those in the name on daily basis, and yet walk away of N5,000 with our various banks, the field are also in. In the same vein, the from the values he stood for? How university could have a definitive seemingly endless, indeterminate, could men and women, brought up in Development Plan of N26,250,000,000 unpredictable time that it currently one of the best traditions of scholarship, (N26.26 billion). A yearly contribution takes to complete post graduate studies not wholeheartedly wanting the same for their children and the children of other people, in the spirit of a conscientious sense of service? Lest we forget, the noble vision of our university's founding fathers is for "a world class university comparable to any others", equipped with "high quality facilities". These are noble words, faithfully executed by Sardauna a n d h i s t e a m , t h e p r a c t i c a l manifestation of which produced the learning environment that gave us all of the self-esteem and the distinctness as persons we are today. Sardauna gave us the baton. We must not fumble and drop it. He ran his marathon race in a much more hostile environment of resource constraints. Let it not be said of us, that we the inheritors and successors, though we have much larger pockets than the founding fathers, they have A cross section of AGA participants at the Senate Chamber much bigger hearts than we do. Let us not allow history to write an unsavory commentary on our generation. of N60,000 would give us a collective in A.B.U is embarrassing to some of I do strongly believe we love donation of N5.25 billion. Thus the alumni, just as it is frustrating to the A.B.U enough to show sufficient Alumni would be contributing as much candidates and a source of damaging generous disposition which could earn as about 31 % of the current level of infamy, if not disrepute. u s g r a c i o u s c o m p l i m e n t a r y university budget, or indeed 40% of Thus, a new resolve by both those commentary from history. We can do it. what the Federal Government currently within the university and outside to We have sufficient population of gives. And I am of the firm restore and sustain the grandeur of the Alumni members which would lighten belief that, if we raise the intensity Baobab, our Baobab Tree, and hoist the the resource burden which the of the fires of love in us for A.B.U, and flag Gamji to announce to the world that responsibility of protecting and all it stands for as enunciated in its ideals of the Visionary live, a tribute to enhancing our bequest would entail. Charter, as well as Mission, Vision... the Inheritors... You and I. Let the king While reliable statistics on those who and Reason, we could be the best dress up properly and conduct himself graduated from A.B.U. since its university in Nigeria. Of course, with regal majesty. There would be no inception is a problem, we all know that Alumni members must have a great say short supply of trumpeters to blow the tens of thousands of us attended this in the utilization of the fund so trumpet for him. institution from 1962 to 2011. I collected, from the beginning to the Thank you all. And long live the gathered from the web that from 2005 to end. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria! 2010, about 32,000 people graduated I believe we can do it. I trust we will from A.B.U. About 2,333 were reported do it. We must do it, for ourselves, for Abubakar Gimba to have graduated in the first ten years of our children. We should not let it be said Nov. 17, 2012

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