In a significant move towards expanding academic offerings, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, has inaugurated a committee to oversee the establishment of the Faculty of Environmental Management Sciences.
The ceremony, held at the University Management Meeting Room marked a pivotal step in the university's commitment to addressing global environmental challenges through education and research.
Inaugurating the Committee, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abu Kasim Adamu emphasized the importance of environmental education in the current global context, stating that the establishment of the Faculty of Environmental Management Science is a testament to the University's dedication in producing graduates who are not only well-versed in environmental issues, but are also capable of providing innovative solutions to the pressing challenges faced globally.
He tasked the Committee with the development and implementation of academic programs that will equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage and protect the environment. The Faculty, he pointed out, will focus on a multi-disciplinary approach, integrating principles from various fields such as ecology, environmental policy, sustainable development, and natural resource management.
The Vice-Chancellor further highlighted that the new Faculty will collaborate with local, national, and international partners to enhance research and practical training opportunities for students. This collaboration aims to foster a learning environment that encourages critical thinking and problem-solving, essential for effective environmental stewardship.
Professor Adamu also noted that the committee would engage with various stakeholders, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, universities offering environmental science courses and the private sector, to ensure that the faculty's programs are relevant and responsive to the needs of society.
Professor Adamu added that the University was committed to building a Faculty that, not only excels in academic excellence, but also contributes to sustainable development and environmental conservation.
The establishment of the Faculty of Environmental Management Sciences in the University is expected to attract students and researchers passionate about environmental issues, positioning it as a leading institution in environmental education and research in Nigeria and beyond.
The Vice Chancellor listed the terms of reference for the Committee to include, among others, to develop a comprehensive curriculum for the Faculty's program, to identify and recommend suitable personnel for the Faculty and to advise on infrastructure and resource requirements.
The Committee, he concluded, is to submit a detailed report to the Vice Chancellor within four weeks from the date of the inauguration.
In his response, the Chairman of the Committee, Professor Mustapha Zabairu said that the establishment of the Faculty of Environmental Management Sciences was timely, as the environment is in dire need of protection.
He emphasized the critical needs for the new Faculty, to include, the pressing issues of global warming, flooding, drought, and heat waves, attributing these phenomena to the adverse effects of massive industrialization and the resulting greenhouse gases.
The Chairman noted that while developing countries like Nigeria are not the primary contributors to global warming, they suffer the most from its impacts, pointing out that the world has recognized this disparity, leading to the creation of funding bodies aiming to mitigate these challenges, with over $100 billion allocated for such efforts, which means that Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University can tap into the opportunity by demonstrating that the Faculty is part of those trying to solve the problem.
Professor Zubairu noted that the vision behind the creation of the Faculty of Environmental Management Sciences was to develop comprehensive solutions to mitigate environmental degradation of which the initiative would not only benefit the local community but also position the Institution as a leader in environmental research and advocacy.
He also highlighted two potential international funding bodies: The International Renewable Energy Agency in Abu Dhabi and the International Energy Agency in Paris, which could significantly support the Faculty's projects affirming that if the Faculty successfully trains students to address these issues, it would justify its establishment.
The new Faculty is expected to attract significant international funding, enhancing its capacity to conduct cutting-edge research and implement sustainable environmental practices.
In a closing remarks, the Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Alhaji Idris Saleh Kusherki, congratulated members of the committee and charged them to work as a team to achieve the best possible results for the establishment of the Faculty.
He expressed confidence that the Faculty of Environmental Management Science would become a beacon of innovation and a hub for generating practical solutions to the environmental challenges faced by Nigeria and the world at large.
The Committee comprises of, Professor Mustapha Zubairu as Chairman, with the following members. Professor Ahmed Doko, Department of Quantity Survey, ABU, Zaria, Dr. Mohammed Isa Bala, Department of Architecture, FUT, Minna, Director, Physical Planning Development and Maintenance, IBBUL, Lapai, Permanent Secretary, Niger State Ministry for Lands, Permanent Secretary, Niger State Ministry of Tertiary Education and Director, Academic Planning, IBBU, Lapai. Barr. Amina Yunusa Ndayako, Academic Secretary, IBBU, Lapai is to serve as Secretary to the Committee.
Highlights of the event was a tour of the proposed site for the Faculty and other notable locations within the campus.
