By; SANI ALIYU, Zaria
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) has organized a one day round table dialogue on the protection of the Kubanni Watershed.
The event was held at Ahmadu Bello University Assembly Hall, Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria.
In his welcome address, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, explained that climate change is not a conspiracy theory as there are changes which are attributed to human activities as parts of the world are seeing temperature rises like never before.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Ahmed Doko Ibrahim, Prof Bala said the Kubanni watershed is the major source of the ABU Dam which provides the entire University Community with water as such should be protected at all cost.
The Vice-Chancellor pointed out that as much as food security is encouraged through farming activities, they also have a negative consequence if done without striking a balance between food provision and preserving the ecosystem.
Presenting a paper titled; “Kubanni Watershed Utilization and Governance System”, Dr. Al-Amin D. Bello of the Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, alluded that effective governance ensures the preservation of the watershed, protection of the ecosystem, mitigating climate impacts and promoting sustainable use of the watershed.
Dr. Bello explained that by knowing the capacity of the watershed will help responsible management to avoid over utilization or under utilization by engaging in outreach, community engagement, program modification and accountability improvement.
In another presentation, titled; “Threats to the Survival of the Kubanni Watershed”, Dr. Joseph Oladimeji of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning stated that everyone lives in a watershed and has a role to play. Dr. Oladimeji hinted threats like lack of awareness, global warming, urbanization and population growth as some of main factors. Other factors, he pointed out, are metal refuse dumping and indiscriminate drilling of boreholes which lead to lowering of water levels in streams, wells and other water bodies, especially in areas like Tudun Wada in Zaria.
Also presenting a paper, Prof. Yakubu Obadaki Yusuf of the Department of Geography and Environmental Management, commended the efforts of the University Management in carrying out reforestation in the form of tree planting campaigns and fostering community engagements.
Prof. Obadaki called for the strengthening of water management agencies, efficient waste management and reward system for compliance and non-compliance.
He reminisced with fond memories of dedicated environmental enthusiasts like the late Professor Abdullahi Mahadi, the late Professor Krzysztof Schoeneich and Professor Edwin O. Iguisi.
Discussants were Prof. Donatus Adiye, who encouraged the dredging of trapped sediments to avoid the risk of flooding; Prof. Jerry Buhari, who encouraged synergy between theory and practice; and Prof. Edwin O. Iguisi, who commended the Vice-Chancellor for maintaining the ABU dam as the University cannot have students if there is no water supply while calling for the continuous awareness through radio stations like the ABU FM.
In his closing remarks, the Chairman and also Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration, Prof. Ahmed Doko Ibrahim, thanked the paper presenters for a job well done and encouraged everyone to take responsibility of cautioning their neighbors and the general public on the importance of actions that will preserve the watershed.
Prof. Doko encouraged synergy between planners and agriculturists for the good of the society. He encouraged good hygiene practices that will help the quality of water and sanitation which will help in preventing a lots of sicknesses.
The event was attended by Director Institute for Agricultural Research Prof. Ado Yusuf; Director, Directorate of Research and Innovation, Prof J Maina; representative of the Director, NAERLS, Prof M.M Jaliya; Centre leader SPESSCE, Prof W.S Japheth; Chairman Governing Council, Federal University of Education Kano, Prof. Adamu Ahmed; and representatives of farmers groups among others.
