SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
The Governing Council of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria, at its 125th meeting held on Tuesday, the 12th of September, 2017, has approved the appointment of Professor Abdullahi Bala as the 7th Vice Chancellor of the University.
Professor Abdullahi Bala will assume duty on Sunday the 3rd of December, 2017 when the tenure of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor will come to an end.
The Announcement Was Made By
Mrs. Victoria N. Kolo
Registrar/Secretary to Council
The Honourable Minister,
Ministry of Education,
Abuja –Nigeria.
Dear Sir,
OUR FORMAL ENDORSEMENT OF PROFESSOR ABDULLAHI BALA FOR VICE-CHANCELLOR OF FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, MINNA, NIGER STATE.
With utmost regards and concern, the leadership of the above named organization, on behalf of concerned students’ and graduates of Federal University of Technology of Minna humbly extend our best wishes to your esteemed personality and office as the minister of Education and to earnestly present to you a man of impeccable character Professor Abdullahi Bala for Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Technology Minna
Sir, his commitment is dedicated to selfless services to humanity and the growth of our dear citadel of learning Federal University of Technology of Minna that is in line with the yearnings of the university community. He is a man that the university community has benefited his holistic commitment to the masses, students and youth empowerment just to mention but a few as below is his profile for your perusal and consideration to pilot the affairs of Federal University of Technology of Minna.
Professor Abdullahi Bala hails from Suleja in Niger State where he had his early education at Dawaki Primary School Suleja between 1973 and 1979, emerging as the best graduating pupil. He had his secondary education at the Federal Government College Minna, graduating in 1984 with distinction in his GCE ‘O Level Examination he thereafter went to Ahmadu Bello University Zaria where he graduated with a First Class Honours in Agriculture in 1989. Professor Bala obtained an M. Sc Degree in Soil Chemistry and Fertility from the University of Reading, United Kingdom. In 1993 and a Ph.D Degree in Soil Microbiology from the University of London, United Kingdom in 1999.
Professor Bala was exposed to a wide range of administrative and leadership experience during his school days, which prepared him for greater responsibilities later in life. He was a class prefect in primary school and an acting house captain and a head boy in secondary school. He also occupied several positions in responsibility in various clubs and societies. Including being a member of Ahmadu Bello University Students Union Consultative Assembly and the President of National Association of Agricultural Students.
He joined the services of the Federal University of Technology Minna in 1991 as an assistant Lecturer in the Department of Soil Science, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, from where he rose to the of Professor of Soil Science in October, 2010. He has served the Federal University of Technology, Minna in numerous capacities including membership of over sixty (60) committees and chairing about thirty (30) of them. He was at different times the Deputy Dean School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, head of the Department of Soil Science, Director Centre for Preliminary and Extra-mural Studies, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic). He served as a member of the Governing Council of FUT Minna in 2002-2004 and 2012-2016.
Between 2004 and 2007, Professor Bala was an Associate Policy Analyst with the Independent Policy Group, a think tank of the then Nigerian Leader, President Olusegun Obasanjo, where he worked extensively on contemporary policy issues especially in the Agricultural Sector. He also worked as an Internationally Recruited Scientist (IRS) for the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan between 2010 and 2012, and served as the West African Coordinator of N2Africa, a research for Development Project sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
In this capacity Professor Bala worked with thousands of Smallholder Farmers and National Agricultural Research and Extension Staff across eight countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Professor Bala was a visiting scientist to Wageningen University, The Netherlands in 1988 and also served as a consultant to numerous International and National Organizations including IITA Ibadan, the Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute of CIAT (TSBF-CIAT), Nairobi, Kenya, the west African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land use (WASCAL) and the National Programme on Food Security (NPFS). He has also served as a facilitator and trainer in numerous capacity building Programmes and Workshops.
Professor Bala is a member of several Non-governmental and Community based Associations and had served as a member governing board of Suleja Community School, Member Board of Governors Diamond Development Initiatives and member central working committee, Suleja Emirate Education Foundation. He is currently the National President of the Federal Government College Minna Old Students Association.
Professor Bala is the author of over one hundred and twenty publications with at least seventy in peer reviewed Journals and Conference Proceedings he is a member of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria (SSSN), International Union of Soil Science (IUSS), American Society for Agronomy, Soil Science Society of America, African Association of Biological Nitrogen Fixation, African Network for Soil Biology and Fertility (AfNet) and the Nigerian National Soil Health Consortium. He is a recipient of several prizes and awards including the Federal Government of Nigeria Scholarship (1980-1984). The Nigerian Tobacco Company (N.T.C) Ltd prize for Best Student (1986-1988) John Hall Ltd. Scholarship (1987-1989), Dean’s prize for the Best All Round Candidate for Bachelor of Agriculture Degree Course (1989), Kansas State University prize for the Best All Round performance throughout B. Agric Degree Course (1989) an the National Trucks Manufacturing Ltd. prize for the Best Student in field Practical Training programme (1989). He was also a two-term fellow of the Association of Commonwealth Universities Scholarship (1992 and 1995). Professor Bala’s contributions to the Development and Progress of the University, his Community and Professional Organization have also brought him numerous Honours including FUTMinna SERVICOM award FGC Minna Old Students Association Award of Excellence, Suleja Development Association (SUDA) Award for invaluable service to the community and awards from several Students’ Organization including the FUTMinna Students’ Union and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). Professor Bala is a fellow of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria and also holds the traditional title of Walln Zazzau Suleja.
The Coalition of FUTMinna Students Association and Graduates (COFMSAG) is in support of Professor Bala’s candidature for the position of Vice-Chancellor, FUT Minna for the following reasons:
i. He has been in the services of the University for close to 27years and therefore knows well the History, evolution, strengths, weaknesses and challenges of the University, which renders him less vulnerable to misleading influences and enables him to hit the ground running.
ii. He is a First Class Product and outstanding achiever and second to none in academic accomplishments and thus will command the respect of the University Community and Stakeholders and will also push for excellence in line with the University’s vision.
iii. He is a detribalized Nigerian and does not resort to nepotism or religious or ethnic bigotry. Rather, he embraces all irrespective of ethnic, cultural, social and religious backgrounds and tirelessly works to engender social harmony in the university.
iv. He is a prudent manager of resources and has been known to show the right order of priorities.
v. He has a demonstrated ability for mobilizing funds and other resources attracting thousands of dollars for the University for Research and has recently used his esteemed position as a respected member of Suleja Emirate to attract the donation by the Emirate of the university a 10 hectare piece of land with facilities to be used as a study centre.
vi. H is disciplined with clean service record and thus unlikely to bring odium to the integrity of the university.
vii. He has demonstrated competence, maturity and deft leadership qualities in all the positions of leadership he had held.
viii. He is a principled leader who abhors corruption, indolence and indiscipline and has worked passionately and assiduously for effective service delivery in the university and, as the DVC (Academic), ensured due diligence especially in matters of admission, examination administration and prompt release of students’ results.
ix. Having served the last three Vice-Chancellors faithfully, Professor Bala has demonstrated a shared vision of development and is well equipped to continue along the trajectory of progressiveness and development for the University.
x. His student friendly disposition has earned him numerous students’ awards which put in good stead to have an excellent working relationship with students.
xi. As an indigene of the University’s host community and a respected traditional title holder, Professor Bala well placed to use his vast network, experience and the host community’s goodwill to foster and excellent campus-community relationship.
Thank you as we anticipate your endorsement of our Dear Professor Abdullahi Bala for Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State.
Yours Faithfully,
Comr. Muhammadu Saba Jnr.
President
Comr. Danjuma Ibrahim
Secretary
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