By Our Correspondent
Five distinguished academics are to be conferred with the Fellow of the Horticultural Society of Nigeria (HORTSON) during the 42nd annual conference of the Society scheduled to hold at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
ephemeralnews.com.ng reports that the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Kabiru Bala, is among the academics to be conferred with the professional honours by the society.
Among the awardees are: the Director, Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Bashir Ahmad Babaji; and the Executive Director, National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Prof. Muhammad Lawal Attanda.
A statement issued by Mallam Auwalu Umar, Head, Public Affairs Directorate, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said others include Prof. Aisha Abubakar Mukhtar and Prof. Adamu Ahmed, all of the Department of Agronomy, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Umar said that Prof. Bala bagged the society’s highest honour on account of his strong passion for environmental management and promotion of ecosystem.
He said that the conference, tagged ‘ABU Zazzau 2024’, is scheduled to take place at Samaru College of Agriculture of the Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 10th to 15th November, 2024.
According to him, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the event, Prof. Musa A. Mahadi, gave the theme of the conference as ‘Strategic Roles of Research, Innovation and Extension in Strengthening National Horticultural Technology for Sustainable Food Production’.
He said that Prof. Aiyelaagbe Isaac Ore-Oluwa Olatokunbo of the Federal University of Agriculture will deliver a keynote address at the five-day conference.
“Olatokunbo is to speak on ‘Strengthening Research, Innovation, and Extension for Enhanced Public and Private Sector Participation in Horticulture’.
“The Executive Director, National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Prof. Muhammad Lawal Attanda; and former Vice-Chancellor, Al-qalam University, Prof. Shehu Ado Garki, will present lead papers.
“The conference will give members and stakeholders in the field of horticulture to meet, share ideas, and present research findings in all areas of horticulture.
“Founded in October 1977 to promote the advancement and development of all branches of horticulture in Nigeria, the Horticultural Society of Nigeria (HORTSON) is a member of the International Society of Horticultural Science.
“The society promotes and supports interdisciplinary research teams and intra/inter sector collaborations and their linkages with food system and actors,” Umar said.
