As we come to the end of month of October, we reflect on achievements of the University especially as it relates to Academics, linkages and collaborations, donations and general administration of the University. Many have been achieved in the last one month through dedication and collaborative effort of our Staff, Students, Alumni and friends of the University. Please indulge us and allow us to share just a few of the many accomplishments of Ahmadu Bello University thus far.

As all categories of Staff have resumed work, the University Management encourage strict compliance with safety protocols of COVID-19 including handwashing and use of hand sanitizer, use of face mask and Physical distancing.

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) for local value lectures has begun in earnest. The program came to live on the 7th of October, 2020 with the enrollment of the first batch of 40 candidates on the University of Carleton Learning Management System LMS. Ahmadu Bello University received the highest number of applicants for the program. This prompted the Director of University Advancement to negotiate additional slot for the large number of applicants on the awaiting list and additional 323 student were registered on
the LMS making ABU the highest participants as against the initial benchmark of 40 students per participating institutions. Currently, there are 28 universities that are participating from 7 countries.

At the end of the program, participants are expected to use AI to solve one of the most pressing challenges and add value to their day-to-day activities particularly companies and cities. AI has potential to transform conventional process of performing task that typically require human intelligence.

The Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) has donated the sum of N500,000 to revive ABU Workers Football Club. The Institute’s Director explained that the gesture was in response to the Vice-Chancellor’s letter soliciting for financial support on behalf of the football club and the need to revive the ABU Workers Football Club.

While commending the Vice-Chancellor for his effort and foresight in resuscitating the once famous football club, the Executive Director said the money donated was for the club to acquire one score board.

Sports has been established to be essential in staff development. Football helps beyond the physical activities. It builds character, teaches and develops strategic thinking, analytical thinking, leadership skills, goal setting and risk taking, just to name a few. The Vice Chancellor said a number of sporting bodies had signifies interest to help the University restore its glory in sports. He said that the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) were already in contact towards resuscitating sporting activities in the premier institution.

The Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR) has donated a Toyota Hilux to Bulk Metering Unit. The Toyota Hilux according to the Institute’s Executive Director, Prof Muhammad F Ishiyaku is expected to help the unit improve its service delivery to the University community.

Prof Ishiyaku also said that the gesture was motivated by the difficulties bring faced in managing the electrical installations within the University as a whole was becoming “very difficult” for the unit. The Executive Director then enjoined the unit to put the vehicle to good use.

Receiving the vehicle, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Kabir Bala, assured that the vehicle would be maintained properly for continuous use.

Ahmadu Bello University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Shehu Idris College of Health Sciences and Technology on promoting the ABU SANIT – 20 (Automatic 4-in-1 sanitizing machine). The MoU will promote business partnership and educational cooperation that will support Academic and Technical Programme through capacity building and consultancy services.

Ten (10) selected students have received cash awards of Thirty Thousand Naira (N30,000) each from Zakkat and Sadaqat Foundation. The foundation is a non-governmental and non-profit organization with mandate to deliver quality Zakat assessment, collection and distribution services to both private and public individuals as well as corporate organizations, providing humanitarian and welfare services to mankind.

DONATION OF ASSORTED BOOKS TO AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY

Hajiya Nana Mahmud has donated 9 cartons of assorted book to Ahmadu Bello University. The books which were carefully selected in the area of Dam Construction and Management will definitely improve the variety of literature available to staff and students of faculty of Engineering. The Director of University Advancement who expressed his appreciation on behalf of the University assured that the books donated will make a huge difference in the learning environment.

{Update} COLLABORATION BETWEEN AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY AND INTERNATIONAL VIRTUAL ENGINEERING STUDENT TEAMS PROJECT (InVEST)

A concept note on possible joint supervision between Professors at University of Toronto, Canada and Ahmadu Bello University has been submitted by a PhD candidate at ABU Iyanna M. Kanyi. The proposed titled for the project is “Evaluation of Bacillus Thringiensis – Induced Calcite Precipitate for Mitigation of Lateritic Soil Erosion”.

Supervisory team from Ahmadu Bello University will include Professor KJ Osinubi, Prof. A.O Eberemu and Prof. T.S Ijimdiya.