Ahmadu Bello University Engages Stakeholders in Dialogue to Protect Kubanni Watershed
The event focused on the critical need for sustainable management of the watershed, which serves as the primary water source for the university community.
Binye-lum 
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria hosted a roundtable dialogue on the protection of the Kubanni watershed on September 24, 2024, at the university’s Assembly Hall. The event focused on the critical need for sustainable management of the watershed, which serves as the primary water source for the university community.
In his opening address, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kabiru Bala, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Ahmed Doko Ibrahim, emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change and the importance of safeguarding the Kubanni watershed. He noted that while agricultural activities contribute to food security, they must be balanced with ecosystem preservation.
Dr. Al-Amin D. Bello from the Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering presented on *“Kubanni Watershed Utilization and Governance System,”* highlighting that effective governance is essential for the preservation of the watershed and mitigation of climate impacts. Dr. Joseph Oladimeji from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning addressed *“Threats to the Survival of the Kubanni Watershed,”* pointing out issues such as urbanization, global warming, and improper waste disposal as significant challenges.
Prof. Yakubu Obadaki Yusuf of the Department of Geography and Environmental Management commended the university’s reforestation efforts and called for improved water management and waste management systems. The dialogue featured contributions from prominent faculty members, including Prof. Donatus Adiye, Prof. Jerry Buhari, and Prof. Edwin O. Iguisi, who highlighted the importance of maintaining the ABU dam and raising public awareness about watershed conservation.
The event was attended by key university officials and representatives from agricultural research institutes and farmers' organizations, underscoring the collaborative effort required to protect the Kubanni watershed for future generations.
