Livestock Development Minister says NAPRI must sustain self given its capacity
The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has recognised the enormous capacity of the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) in livestock farming and submitted that the institute should, to a large extent, sustain itself.
NAPRI, established in 1928, is a component part of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Maiha, who has been passionate about the institute even long before his appointment last year as the Minister of Livestock Development, declared that no doubt the strength of the newly created livestock ministry is in NAPRI.
The Minister’s remarks on the institute were conveyed to Management of Ahmadu Bello University when a team of livestock experts paid a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, today (Wednesday, 12th February, 2025).
The team was raised by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to visit NAPRI and write a comprehensive report on it with a view to strengthening the institute for optimal performance.
The experts were led on the courtesy call by Prof. Bala Yusuf Abubakar, who told the Vice-Chancellor that the Minister was worried and passionate about NAPRI. The team leader was a staff of NAPRI.
Prof. Abubakar, who said they were constituted as a team to visit NAPRI and write a report on its research areas and finances, explained that the Minister was of the view that the institute should, to a large extent, sustain itself given its expertise.
Also speaking, a member of the team, Prof. E.O. Oyedipe and former Executive Director of the institute, equally explained that Minister, having known the capacity of the animal research institute, said it would be a great mistake to abandon NAPRI.
“Every aspect of livestock development is found in NAPRI, and the strength of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development is NAPRI. If NAPRI does not get the desired improvement, the Minister would not feel fulfilled,” he said.
Prof. Oyedipe disclosed that the Ministry would work towards establishment of a strong business development unit for NAPRI to sustain itself financially.
The former NAPRI Executive Director, who said the proposed business development section will consist of economists and other finance and marketing experts, thanked the Vice-Chancellor for the interest he has in the institute.
Oyedipe said NAPRI, from their observation, is lacking in entrepreneurship skills, stressing that the team would recommend in their report that the Vice-Chancellor should be the driving force in the project.
Responding, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, thanked the Minister and the team for the visit to NAPRI and the University, saying that he concurred with the team’s submission that the institute should sustain itself financially.
Other members of the team included Prof. O.O. Oni, Prof. G.A. Abu, Arc. Bashir O. Usman and Abdulrahman Shuaibu.
The team of experts were accompanied to the Vice-Chancellor for the courtesy call by NAPRI Executive Director, Prof. Hassan Muhammad Rabiu; Deputy Director of the Institute, Dr. Muhammad Sa’idu Tanko; and other principal officers of the institute.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
(SBG)
Wednesday, 12th February, 2025
