It was indeed a very busy and fruitful month for the University and yet a sad one as the University & the Community, Kaduna State and Nigeria lost one of its longest reigning traditional monarchs Alhaji Shehu Idris, the Emir of Zazzau. May Allah (SWT) grant him Jannatul Firdausi.

The newsletter presents summary of the University’s monthly high points amidst the global pandemic. Please do well by adhering to the safety guidelines to ensure that we flatten the curve.

As we welcome the month of October to celebrate, Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary we would like to urge our Students, Staff, Alumni and Friends of the University to remain patriotic and committed to the development of Nigeria.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, commissioned various flood and erosion control works at Ahmadu Bello University, Samaru – Zaria Phase II. The projects which were executed by the Federal Government through the Ecological Fund Office include:

• • Construction of 2.4km stone base asphaltic dual carriage road with drainage at both sides and 357m stone base asphaltic single carriage road with drainage at both sides.
  • Construction of 2.5m x 2m double box culvert, six 1m x 1m box culverts at various locations, trapezoidal drains at golf course and concrete walkway median kerbs.

The project is expected to check the erosion/flooding as well as provide improved access road to the Main Campus Phase II to enhance learning and working condition within the expanding institution.

The National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), a health activity under supervision of Federal Ministry of Health, has enlisted the support of Ahmadu Bello University to ensure transition from malaria control to malaria elimination in Nigeria. The University has been selected as a host institution for malaria vector sentinel sites in Kaduna State.

Ogar Nkayo Paschal, the team leader congratulated the University for being picked as the most qualified institution for the programme, and said that vector control was a core strategy for malaria prevention in Nigeria.

She added that one of the key challenges in the deployment of insecticide treated materials is the growing threats of vector resistance to the commonly used classes of insecticides, especially the pyrethroids.

Team ABU has won 1st and 6th Positions respectively in various tracks from the just concluded Huawei ICT competition. Huawei, a leading global provider of information and communication technology (ICT), recently organized virtually on 11th September, 2020.

The competition attracted over 150,000 participants from more than 2000 universities and colleges across 14 countries. After a fierce competition, Team ABU that came 1st in the Cloud/AI track comprise of:

• 1. Mustapha Abdullahi (Comp Eng)
  2. Khalifa Muhammad (Elect Eng)
  3. Dahir Muhammad (Comp Eng)

The team will be representing Africa in the Global finals in China, later in the year.

The Ahmadu Bello University Governing Council organized a send forth for its outgoing member, Mrs. Olusola Dada who is the representative of the Federal Ministry of Education on the Council and a federal director. Mrs. Dada left the Council on account of her redeployment to Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The outgoing member was described as humble, hardworking and straight forward person that the Council would surely miss her wise counsel during deliberations.

Following the expiration of an earlier Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2015 between Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) and Universite Dan Dicko Dankoulodo de Maradi (UDDM), a revised MoU has been signed. The MoU is aimed at promoting regional integration through research and cultural activities.

The major applicable areas include Nursing Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, French, English language and Centre for Energy Research and Training.

Genesis Energy and Power Limited has shown interest to collaborate with Ahmadu Bello University Zaria to establish a 10MW captive hybrid solar farm for the University. The solar farm is expected to complement the existing dedicated 33KVA power sub station to provide an uninterrupted power supply to the University.

Ahmadu Bello University has signed an MoU on Educational Partnership with Total E&P Nigeria Limited to expand their collaborations in teaching, training and research amongst others. The collaboration will avail TOTAL the opportunity to attend courses, conferences, workshops and develop customized courses for TOTAL and the petroleum industry in general at ABU.

Other important areas of the collaboration beneficial to ABU include joint research, staff exchange, scholarships, employment opportunities and internships for students. TOTAL will also support the industrial exposure of ABU Staff and Students and inform of sabbatical and internship to provide them with a short-term industrial exposure.

The Sokoto State Government has shown interest to collaborate with Ahmadu Bello University on modern techniques for irrigation farming in the forth coming dry season. The collaboration will enable the University train more of the State’s extension workers and fresh graduates wishing to venture into farming.

According to the State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said, this is necessary for the State to mitigate the adverse effect of COVID-19 and regain losses suffered by farmers this farming season following devastating floods that hit several rice and sugarcane farms in different parts of the state. He also noted that this is part of his Government’s strategies to help boost farmers morale in the state.

Ahmadu Bello University has one of the largest and oldest Agricultural complexes in West Africa with the Mission to generate, disseminate and impart improved agricultural technologies for enhanced crop and livestock production and utilization in Nigeria.

Ahmadu Bello University has received a donation of Electrocardiography (ECG) Machine from Danhodi Empowerment Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to improve the quality of life for Nigerians.

The donation of the new ECG machine will help ensure swift diagnosis of heart conditions and increasing capacity for training. ECGs are an essential tool in the diagnosis and management of a wide range of conditions that affect the heart, including pre-operative screening, heart failure, high blood pressure and assessing the effects of medication. The machine will be utilized for training by the Department of Human Physiology, College of Medical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Ahmadu Bello University Civil Engineering Class of 1991 has donated a Toyota Sienna 2002 Model bus to the University. The donation which is a mark of U91 giving back to their Alma mater institution. The bus donated will add to the existing cars of the department to ease movement of staff and students of the department. The class was represented at the presentation by Engr. Bello Mai, Engr. Atiku Muazu, Engr. Peter Habila, Engr. Zubairu Abubakar and the Head of Department Dr. Jibrin Kaura.