02/06/2026
CSARD-2026 NATIONAL CONFERENCE WELCOME ADDRESS BY THE RECTOR.
Protocols.
The Royal Father of the Day
Alh. (Dr.) Adamu Abubakar Maje CON,
Emir of Hadejia, & Chairman of the Jigawa State Council of Chiefs
Grand Patron of this occasion
Alh. Ibrahim Turaki Board Member Tetfund
Special Guest of Honour
Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad Honourable Minister of State for Education
Guest of Honour
Prof. Isah Yusif Chamo Honourable Commissioner Ministry of Higher Education, Jigawa State
Chairman of the Occasion
Prof. Ahmad Mohammad Gumel Vice-Chancellor Federal University, Dutse
Keynote Speaker
Prof. Babagana Abba Gambo Policy Advisor on Agriculture and Water Resources Nigerian Governor Forum
Keynote Speaker II
Dr. Garzali Muhammed Abubakar Senior Special Assistant to the President on Development Funds Former Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) Guest Speaker
Lead Paper Presenter I
Prof. Muhammad Auwalu Hussaini Bayero University, Kano
Dean Faculty of Agriculture and Pioneer Rector Bupoly
Lead Paper Presenter
Dr Adnan Aminu Partner, Green Economy Certis and former Deputy Director Centre For Dryland Agriculture BUK
Lead Paper Presenter III
Associate Prof. Rabiu Falalu Jahun Bayero University Kano
Distinguished Panellists
Aline Mugisho CEO, IITA Youth Agriprenuers
Alh. Mansur Da'u Aliyu General Manager Malam Alu Farm
Good morning,
It is with immense pleasure, profound gratitude to the almighty Allah, and a deep sense of responsibility that I warmly welcome our distinguished guests, scholars, policymakers, development practitioners, industry leaders, students, and participants to this landmark conference by our Centre for Semi-Arid Research and Development with theme "Innovation and Transformation as Catalysts for Sustainable Development and National Resilience."
Today marks a significant milestone in our modest effort as an institution to contribute to the development of practical pathways toward building a more resilient, prosperous, and sustainable livelihoods. Especially in the face climate changes effect and its attendant extreme evets that are continuously exacerbating the vulnerability of our farming and rural communities.
This conference, which brings together academics, researchers, policymakers, development practitioners, entrepreneurs, and farmers, represents one of our modest contributions toward supporting the vision and efforts of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Jigawa State, Malam Umar Namadi Danmodi, FCA, in building resilient communities and sustainable livelihoods for our people.
By fostering meaningful dialogue, knowledge exchange, innovation, and collaboration among stakeholders, we seek to generate practical solutions to the socioeconomic and environmental challenges facing our society. It is our expectation that the outcomes of this conference will contribute significantly to policy development, technological advancement, agricultural transformation, and community empowerment.
At the conclusion of this conference, a comprehensive communiqué will be issued, encapsulating the key findings, recommendations, innovative research outputs, and technological fabrications presented during the various sessions. These outcomes are intended to serve as empowering and enabling tools for our immediate communities and beyond, while also providing actionable insights for government, industry, and development partners in advancing sustainable development and strengthening national resilience.
I therefore, on behalf of the Governing Council, Management, Academic Board, staff, and students of this institution, extend our heartfelt appreciation to our revered Royal Father of the Day, His Royal Highness Alhaji (Dr.) Adamu Abubakar Maje, CON, Emir of Hadejia and Chairman of the Jigawa State Council of Chiefs, for honouring us with his royal presence and invaluable support for education and community development.
I also warmly welcome our Special Guest of Honour, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, Honourable Minister of State for Education, whose dedication to advancing education and human capital development continues to inspire meaningful progress across our nation.
Our sincere appreciation goes to our Grand Patron of the Occasion, Alhaji Ibrahim Turaki, Board Member, TETFund, for graciously accepting to support and oversee this important gathering.
We are equally honoured by the presence of our Guest of Honour, Professor Isah Yusif Chamo, Honourable Commissioner for Higher Education, Jigawa State, whose commitment to strengthening higher education has significantly contributed to the growth of the sector within the state.
I wish to specially recognize the Policy Advisor to the Nigeria Governors Forum Professor Babagana Abba Gambo to the our esteemed keynote speakers, lead paper presenters, guest speakers, and panellists who have travelled from different institutions and organizations to share their expertise, experiences, and insights. Your participation reflects a shared commitment to finding innovative solutions to the challenges confronting our society and advancing sustainable development goals.
The theme of this conference is both timely and compelling, especially with the realities of today, where across the globe, nations are confronted with complex challenges ranging from climate change, food insecurity, unemployment, economic uncertainties, and social vulnerabilities. Addressing these challenges requires more than conventional approaches; it demands innovation, creativity, collaboration, and transformational leadership.
As an institution committed to excellence in teaching, skills development, and community service, we clearly understand that institutions have critical roles to play in generating knowledge, nurturing talent, promoting entrepreneurship, and fostering innovative solutions that can drive sustainable development and strengthen national resilience.
This conference therefore provides a valuable platform for intellectual engagement, policy dialogue, and knowledge exchange among academia, government, industry, and development partners. We expect the discussions and recommendations emerging from this gathering to contribute meaningfully to policy formulation, institutional reforms, technological advancement, agricultural transformation, environmental sustainability, and socioeconomic development.
I encourage all participants to engage actively in the presentations, discussions, and networking opportunities throughout this conference. Let us take advantage of this gathering to build partnerships, share innovative ideas, and develop actionable strategies capable of transforming our communities and our nation.
As we deliberate over the next few days, I am confident that the collective wisdom assembled here will generate practical insights and sustainable solutions that will benefit present and future generations.
Once again, I welcome you all to this important conference and wish you fruitful deliberations and a rewarding experience.
Thank you for your presence, your contributions, and your commitment to development.
Welcome, and may God bless our institution, Jigawa State, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Professor Bashir Garba Muktar
Rector
Binyaminu Usman Polytechnic, Hadejia