Dean-elect assures adequate funding of agricultural research at FUT Minna
The Dean-elect, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Prof. Job Nmadu has expressed commitment to attracting funding for research and other needs of the faculty.
Nmadu made this known in an interview with our Correspondent on Tuesday in Abuja, following his recent election as the Dean of the School.
He said that as the new dean of the faculty, he would not rest on his oars in ensuring positive change that would make learning more conducive in the school.
Nmadu, who would be assuming office on April 9, said “there are a number of developmental challenges in the faculty, which I am going to look into.
“There is the problem of inadequate research funding, inadequate office space for conducive work, inadequate Information Communication Technology (ICT), infrastructure and a host of others, which I hope to improve on during my tenure.”
On the recent increase in the security challenges in schools, the dean described such development as worrisome.
The don commended the efforts made by the relevant authorities in tackling insecurity, adding that more still needed to be done to secure the lives of students and teachers.
“The increased trend of mass school kidnappings, especially in Niger is worrisome.
“I embarked on one week #savenigereducollapse campaign on social media when all schools in Niger were shut due to threats of mass abduction.
“A lot is being done and we hope that the youth will rise up to the challenges of knowledge-seeking.”
Confirming Nmadu’s election in a separate interview, Mrs Aisha Usman, the Deputy Registrar Academic, said the professor emerged winner after polling 61 votes out of the 82 votes cast.
Usman, who was the Returning Officer in the election, described Nmadu as the “sole contestant.”
“A total of 82 persons were accredited. Out of this number, he scored a total of 61 votes as against 21 that did not work for him.
“There were no void votes and he was declared winner, having scored the highest number.
“His tenure lasts for two years and if he so wishes, he can re-contest at the end of his tenure.”
Our Correspondent reports that Prof. Job Nmadu emerged dean following an election conducted on March 30.
He joined the Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal Polytechnic, Bida as an Assistant Lecturer in 1992.
Nmadu rose to a Chief Lecturer in 2006 and later a Senior Lecturer, Agricultural Economics and Farm Management, FUT, Minna.
He became an Associate Professor in 2010 and Professor in 2013.
Prior to his election as Dean, Nmadu held a number of positions in the university, including Head of Department, Deputy Director, Quality Assurance and Productivity and Industrial Liaison Officer.
He also served on several committees and task forces within and outside the university as well as consultant to a number of organisations within and outside Nigeria.
Nmadu, a Fellow and current President, Nigerian Association of Agricultural Economists (NAEE) has published over 100 papers and journals, peer-reviewed conference proceedings and technical reports.
