As part of activities marking its Annual General Assembly (AGA) for this year, Ahmadu Bello University Alumni Association has held its 17th Pre-Annual General Assembly Lecture, today, Friday, 27th September, 2024.

The lecture took place at the Assembly Hall, Ahmadu Bello University, Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria.

Presenting a paper, titled: “Hunger and Economic Hardship: A Call to Return to our Roots and Embrace Innovative Agricultural Solutions”, the Hon Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, CON, explained that according to the United Nations, hunger is increasing in many countries where economic growth is lagging and mostly in countries that rely heavily on international primary commodity trade, and that Nigeria is a classical case, in which it was ranked 109 out 128 countries in 2023.

Represented by the Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Prof. Garba Hamidu Sharubutu, the Minister disclosed that this was what informed the prime position of Food Security in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 8-point Renewed Hope Agenda.

Senator Sabi stated that other causes of this ugly phenomenon are climate change and environmental degradation; conflict and displacement and economic factors.

The Minister, who is also the Baraden Borgu, noted that Northern Nigeria was known for peace and tranquility, which is now replaced with the long standing terrorism by the Boko Haram group, and which is now complicated and garnished by the scourge of banditry and armed criminal herdsmen rampaging across the north and south, further creating mistrust in the relationship between the north and the south.

Senator Sabi reiterated that the North was known for massive agriculture as the foundation of wealth and prosperity. He said states in the North known for cash and food crops such as ginger, groundnut, soyabean, sesame, cotton, beans, rice, maize, cowpea, sorghum, yams, potatoes, tomatoes, onions and water melon among others.

The Minister reminisced on the fond memories of how the north held the position of Africa’s largest livestock population with 19.5 million cattle, 72.5 million goats, 41.3 million sheep, 28,000 camels, 145 million chickens, 1.2 million turkeys and 947,499 donkeys.

Senator Sabi encouraged the North to give maximum support to the current administration to change the tide and restore the hope of the North through massive agricultural programs and initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He posed a challenge to ABU to come up with initiatives to re-live the vision and dream of the founding fathers.

Earlier in a remark, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, commended the ABU Alumni Association for organizing the Pre-AGA lecture and urged all invited guests to make contributions where necessary.

Prof. Bala reminded all alumni of the University Endowment Fund and the need for everyone to contribute.

The Vice-Chancellor lamented on how education is facing its biggest threat due to gross underfunding.

He said graduates of Harvard University pay certain amount of money every year, hoping that Nigerians will reciprocate in the same way to their home Universities.

In a welcome address, Chairman of the Occasion, Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, CFR, stated that all alumni should be encouraged to donate one percent of their monthly income to the University.

Represented by the Wazirin Zazzau, Khadi Inuwa Aminu, the Chairman enjoined all established alumni to build hostels in the University due to challenges faced by students outside.

Alhaji Yayale, who is also the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of Ahmadu Bello University, said there is need for the government to import food into the country as an emergency in order to bring down the cost of food items in the market.

He advised the Federal Government to tackle insecurity, which is one of the reasons people cannot go to their farms.

Also speaking, the President World-wide of Ahmadu Bello University Alumni Association, Malam Adamu Mamman Kontagora, thanked Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed and Senator Sabi for accepting to chair the occasion and be the presenter respectively.

The President, who is also the Barden Kontagora, appreciated the leadership of the University under Prof. Kabiru Bala for their unwavering support all the time.

Highlights of the event were interactive sessions and awards presentation to the Vice-Chancellor and other distinguished alumni of the University. The event was attended the Principal Officers, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, staff and students of the University.