The Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) on Wednesday, 16th February, 2022 organized an Open Day to mark its 10th Year Anniversary. The event was chronicled by the unveiling of an iconic new logo of the Africa Centre of Excellence in dryland agriculture which was performed by the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, Vice Chancellor, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas and the Director of the Centre, Professor Jibrin Mohamed Jibrin.
The Centre also distributed seeds, seedlings and equipment to farmers from 22 communities
Established in 2012 to serve as a regional training hub for the West and Central Africa (WCA) sub-region, the CDA marked 10 years of incredible rise to stardom as one of the most competitive Africa Centres of Excellence with state-of-the-art facilities of international standard, competent and dedicated staffing, as well as vibrant research and training activities.
The Deputy Governor of Kano State, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, who was the Special Guest of Honour congratulated the CDA for achieving this milestone in just 10 years of existence, saying that Kano State was aware of the CDA’s exceptional performance which led to attracting another world bank grant of $5m.
Dr Gawuna explained that the quality of research and training conducted in the CDA was of international standard, noting that the Kano State Government will collaborate with the Centre to use some of its best researches to formulate policies or to facilitate them to become laws that will address the deepening food security challenges.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, in his remarks, said the day marked a landmark achievement in the annals of University’s history. He said CDA has made the University proud and “that’s why we hold it with high esteem.”
The Vice Chancellor expressed the hope that the University Management would continue to support the Centre to achieve its desired objectives. He congratulated the CDA, its staff and all the stakeholders for the giant strides recorded in 10 years.
Prof Abbas, who also represented the Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, said NUC is aware of the CDA’s pre-eminent position among other Nigerian and African centres of excellence. He said the NUC would continue to support the Centre.
Partners of CDA, such as ICRISAT, WOFAN, UK Links and Dala Foods presented goodwill messages. They all lauded their partnership with the CDA as impactful as symbiotic.
The CDA distributed seeds, seedlings and equipment to farmers with the aim of boosting their farming.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Director CDA, Professor Jibrin M. Jibrin gave a historical evolution of the Centre and applauded all those who have contributed in making it what it is today. He explained that the Centre attracted students from 13 countries from West, East and Central Africa, just like the idea of great green wall. He said the CDA has already established great green wall of knowledge.
“Under the new project of ACE Impact, our focus is to transform training and research into changing the lives of people in the drylands,” he added.
Highlight of the Open Day was presentation of awards to the staff who drafted the first proposal of CDA, two former VC’s, Prof Abubakar Rasheed, Prof Yahuza Bello and the current VC, Prof Sagir Abbas. Others who were honoured were the first board members and outstanding staff of CDA, with whom Dr Gawuna promised to support with motorcycles to three of them (driver, gardener and cleaner), as well as one outstanding extension agent.