CITATION ON PROF. ANGO ABUDULLAHI

Born in Yakawada village in Zaria emirate in 1938, Ango Abdullahi, attended the famous Barewa College where he graduated in 1958.

Young Ango had a meritorious educational career attending the Nigerian College, Zaria, University College, Ibadan, Kansas State University, USA, and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

He earned the B. Sc. Honours Degree in Agriculture in 1964; M.Sc. Agronomy 1968; and, Ph.D Agronomy 1976.Pursuing a purely academic career, Abdullahi rose to become a Professor and the Vice Chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria between 1979 and 1986.

As an extension of his life-long interest in Agriculture, he served as Special Adviser on Food Security to former president Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2003. As an agriculturist he sought to bring his expertise to move Nigeria's agricultural sector forward.

He argued vehemently for increased allocation to the Agricultural sector."Whether anybody likes it or not, agriculture is still the cornerstone of the Nigerian economy. Without agriculture this country will collapse.

Oil is a very important factor. Let me tell you that despite the status of oil as the revenue earner for this country, as I talk to you now, agriculture is still the backbone of the country, it is still the source of sustenance for millions of our peasant farmers in our rural areas.

Agriculture contributes 40% GDP and is 70% employer of labour; it also provides food to Nigeria, yet the public allocation of funds to agriculture has always dwindled between two to three percent. World experts have always advised developing countries that the agric sector should be allocated not less than 20% to the agriculture.

It is only Malaysia that has taken this advice seriously and allocated between 20% and 23% every year in the past 20 years. From 1970 to 1990, see what Malaysia has become in terms of agriculture and agro-based industry.

This is what Nigeria should do.” – Daily Trust, 10 February 2008.In 2007, the distinguished Professor of Agriculture was honoured by the Federal Government with the National Honour of CON – Commander of the Order of the Niger.

In the same year, his native Zaria emirate turbaned him the Magajin Rafin Zazzau – Custodian of water  and agric resources.  Since his retirement from academics and politics, he has returned to the farm – in a practical commitment to his first love, agriculture.

Ladies and Gentlemen: I present to you, Professor Ango Abudullahi, Commander of the Order of the Niger and Radio Nigeria’s Guest Lecturer for the 2008 October Lecture.