The Federal University of Technology FUT Minna says it has intensified efforts at addressing emerging challenges of climate change across communities in Niger state.
Vice Chancellor of the University Prof Faruk Adamu Kuta said this on the occasion of tenth anniversary of the West African Science Centre on Climate Change WASCAL held in Minna the Niger state capital.
Prof Faruk Adamu Kuta explained that the centre which is aimed at addressing emerging challenges at grassroot level has done alot in achieving the purpose of its establishment and commended efforts of successive leadership of FUT Minna for supporting the establishment of Climate Change Research Centre at the instruction.
He however appreciated the German Government for it’s untiring efforts in funding the programme since inception ten years ago as well as commended the Federal Government for leaving to it’s expectation of payment of counterpart fund that led to the attainment of most of the successes recorded.
Prof Faruk Adamu Kuta further said the programme had produced graduate from under graduate upto the level of phD and that very soon lots of innovation by the centre would be coming on board.
Director West African Science Centre for Climate Change FUT Minna chapter Prof Appolonia Okhimamhe explained that the centre has successfully graduated thirty masters degree students within the last six years and currently on phD studies within Nigeria and other African countries.
Head of WASCAL Governing Board Prof Muhammadu Hassirou from Niger Republic who led Board Members from other West African Countries said the main objective of this programme is to train West African students and other critical stakeholders for better inclusion on climate change aspect in in the policies and sustainable development projects and programmes.
The West African Science Sevice Centre on Climate Change has eleven West African Member Countries of Benin republic Cote divoire Burkina faso Cape verde Togo Ghana Mali The Gambia Niger republic Senegal and Nigeria.
COV ALIYU LAWAL.