The Gorvenor of Kano State, His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (OFR), recently, paid a working visit to the headquarters of the National Biotechnology Development Agency, (NABDA), in Abuja with the aim to collaborate and improve in the area of livestock production in the country.
He was received by the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NABDA, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha.
According to the press release signed by the Assistant Director and Head, Information & Protocol Unit, NABDA Mrs Ifeoma Ndefo that the NABDA boss intimated the core vision and mission of the Agency with particular reference to the Animal Feed Production technology programme of NABDA, such as the hydroponics fodder farming for improved and massive livestock production that has potentials to improve the quality and quantity of meat and milk production in Animals.
Prof Mustapha noted that NABDA’s creation of a new Bioresources Development Centre (BioDec) in Ganduje town in Kano is predicated upon the Agency’s desire to use her laudable scientific and innovative programme to address the prevailing economic needs of Nigerians in the grassroots in the most sustainable ways. He noted that the Agency would employ genetics and genomics technologies for the improvement of the Bonaji cattle variety to produce about 25litres of milk per day as against its natural capacity of production of 5litres of milk per day.
In his response, the Governor declared his intention to sign a Memoranda of Understanding with NABDA on the move to incorporate NABDA’s cutting -edge animal breeding programmes in the ongoing project of the Kano state Ruga centre project. He also commended the Bio-Gas plant programme of the environmental biotechnology department of NABDA that succinctly relates to the waste to wealth ideology in a very practical way.
“The programme will provide a conducive environment for herders to breed their animals in the most productive way and afford them the opportunities to educate their children to emerge as professionals in various fields. He added that this would ultimately eradicate the farmers/herders crisis in Nigeria that have degenerated to ethic, religious and economic sentiments.
Governor Ganduje was accompanied by some notable officers of the Kano State government such as: Hon. Lawan Kenken, Member representing the Gwale Local Government Area at the Kano State House of Representatives; Alhaji Ali Haruna Makoda, the Chief of Staff of the Kano state government house and the Nasiru Sadiq, Senior Adviser to the Governor on special intervention.
The guests were joined by the newly appointed Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology(FMST) and Governing Board Chairman of NABDA, Mr. Edet Sunday Akpan and his team of Directors and staff of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST). They were guided by the Director General of NABDA, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha to inspect facilities at the Agricultural Biotechnology Department of NABDA, such as the Tissue Culture laboratory, Screen House, Micropropagation Humidity Chamber , Hydroponics Centre, Feed mill, Breeding programme, animal production unit, and the Acquaculture unit. Similarly, at the Environmental biotechnology Department, the team looked at the massive Bio-gas plant facility that has the potential to transform any type of organic waste into clean energy .
