………as Prof Kwaga appointed to chair NAPRI Reform and Strategic Transformation C’ttee
Ahmadu Bello University has inaugurated a high-powered committee for the revitalisation of core functions of the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) in research, breeding, and resource mobilisation. The committee, called ‘NAPRI Reform and Strategic Transformation Committee’, is chaired by Prof J K P Kwaga of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Inaugurating the seven-member committee the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, stressed that NAPRI was too strategic to fail in its mandate. NAPRI, according to him, was facing significant challenges in fulfilling its original mandate. Prof Adamu Ahmed expressed the university’s commitment towards comprehensive reform and strategic transformation of the institute. He said the university had consequently declared a state of emergency to address the decline of the institute’s statutory functions. The Vice-Chancellor charged the committee to design and oversee the reform of the animal research institute, with the ultimate goal revitalising its core functions. He said that the committee’s assignment was of “great importance” to the university and the nation as a whole. The Vice Chancellor further said the work of the committee was essential to the success of the NAPRI reform. Prof Adamu Ahmed, who disclosed that the assignment was with immediate effect, and for a period of six months, also said the committee’s work was at the heart of the effort. The Vice-Chancellor further told the committee chairman that his leadership was crucial in restoring NAPRI’s position as a key contributor to Nigeria’s livestock development goals. Ahmed empathised that the university had a trust in his expertise and leadership to guide the reform and pledged the University Management support to ensure the committee carried out its duties effectively. He charged the committee to submit an inception report to the Vice-Chancellor within two weeks of its inauguration, outlining its plans and findings. Responding, the Chairman of the committee, Prof J K P Kwaga, expressed gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor and University Management for the confidence reposed in them. Prof Kwaga assured the management of the committee’s readiness to deliver, saying the deadline given was quite ample for the committee to carry out the work as assigned.Members of the committee include former Executive Director, Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Prof I U Abubakar; and former Executive Director, National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Services (NAERLS), Prof M K Othman. Others are Prof Tunji Iyiola-Tunji, National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Services (NAERLS); Prof A K B Sackey, Department of Veterinary Medicine; and Prof Abdul Salisu Bakura, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture. A statement from the public affairs directorate office of the Vice Chancellor issued to newsmen said Former Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Prof Junaidu Kabir, who is also a member, will also serve as Secretary of the committee.
