By Mu’azu Abubakar Albarkawa, Kaduna
Emir of Zazzau Malam Aliyu Abdulqadir, popularly known as Malam Aliyu Dansidi, laid the foundations for the construction of the first School of Agriculture in Northern Nigeria 100 years ago, his grandson who is the current Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, has disclosed.
The school, now called Samaru College of Agriculture, which is a part of Ahmadu Bello University, started as a hands-on agricultural training centre at Maigana town near Zaria after its establishment by the then Colonial Administration in 1921.
The agricultural training centre finally became Samaru College of Agriculture in 1932, making it the first College of Agriculture in Northern Nigeria and the second in Nigeria only after the College of Agriculture, Moore Plantation, Ibadan.
Speaking at the College’s centenary lecture organised by the Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria today, His Highness, the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, explained that his grandfather Emir Aliyu Dansidi indeed played a significant role in the establishment of the College.
The Emir, who congratulated the College and the University on the success recorded by the North’s oldest agriculture school, stressed that the role of traditional institution in the acceleration of agricultural development in Nigeria could not be overemphasised.
Ambassador Bamalli, who cut the anniversary cake to round off the centenary celebration, also said he was happy over the quality of presentation of the centenary lecture delivered by Prof. Salihu Adamu Dadari, a one time Provost of the 100-years old College and Director, Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University.
In his goodwill message, the Honourable Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, noted that the College had no doubt come a long way and produced hundreds of middle-level manpower in agriculture predominantly in agricultural extension services.
The Minister, represented by Mrs. Ruqayya Iliyasu, a Director in charge of University Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, also said the coming of the College this far clearly showed that the dream of its founding fathers had been kept alive.
Malam Adamu, who urged management staff of the College and the University as a whole to reposition the agriculture training school for the challenges ahead, said the Federal Ministry of Education would continue to identify itself with the success of the College.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Occasion, Prof. S.U. Abdullahi described the College’s 100 years of existence as a great success worth celebrating.
Prof. Abdullahi, former Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, explained that nobody could deny the fact that the Samaru College of Agriculture had contributed tremendously to the development of agriculture in Nigeria.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, said as the University and other stakeholders celebrated “this great milestone at a turning point in the existence of the College”, it became necessary to consolidate on its gains.
The Vice-Chancellor described the title of the centenary lecture, “Intensifying Agricultural Education towards Agricultural Technology for Economic Rebirth”, as timely and in line with the Federal Government’s agenda of improving agricultural productivity to improve food security and economic stability.
Members of the Emir of Zazzau’s entourage at the centenary lecture included Wazirin Zazzau, Khadi Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Aminu; Sarkin Fadan Zazzau, Alhaji Abbas Ahmadu Fatika; Sa’in Zazau, Alhaji Idris Ibrahim Idris; Dan Isan Zazzau, Alhaji Umar Shehu Idris; Barden Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Mailafiya; and Dangoriban Zazzau, Alhaji Muhammad Aminu.
