ABU Zaria Appoints New Directors for Energy Research Centre and Veterinary Teaching Hospital

The Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Adamu Ahmed, has approved the appointments Prof Abdullahi Mati as the Director, Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) and Prof Audu Joseph Natala as Director, Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH).

In separate letters conveying their appointments, the Vice-Chancellor explained that the tenure of each of them is for an initial period of two years, subject to satisfactory performance.

Prof Mati's appointment was in recognition of his extensive experience and distinguished record of service.

He was a Reactor Manager at CERT and the Pioneer Director, Centre for Renewable Energy Research, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua University, Katsina.

He is expected to provide strategic leadership to the Centre, address existing institutional challenges, particularly in the areas of funding, staff development, capacity building, research relevance and infrastructure.

Mati is also expected to reposition the Centre to effectively deliver on its national mandate in energy research, training and policy support, and in line with the university's strategic research goals and Nigeria's energy development priorities.

Prof Natala, a Professor of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, was appointed in recognition of his unwavering commitment, hard work, ethical values, integrity and ability to build strong and enduring professional relationships.

His appointment came at a critical moment anchored on the need to reposition the Veterinary Teaching Hospital as a functional, integrated and performance-driven teaching hospital.

Prof Natala is expected to provide purposeful leadership in addressing, among others, the underperformance in clinical teaching and diagnostic services.

He is also expected to address the weak integration between the hospital and the academic departments of the faculty, poor utilization and maintenance of equipment, limited internal resource mobilization, low community visibility and impact, and weak staff motivation, accountability and performance culture.

The Vice-Chancellor congratulated the two appointees and wished them success as they undertake their important assignments in service of the university.