ARCN Tasks FCHDK Management on Unity, Improved Service Delivery
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban, has charged the management and staff of the Federal College of Horticulture, Dadin-Kowa (FCHDK), to continue working as a united team to advance the institution’s mandate.
Dr. Dabban gave the charge on Friday during his maiden familiarisation visit to the College in Dadin-Kowa, Gombe State, where he expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded under its Acting Provost, Dr. Umar A. Umar.
The ARCN boss noted that releasing Dr. Umar to assume leadership of the College was a difficult but worthwhile decision, adding that the progress witnessed in just three months had justified the move.
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“It was not an easy decision to bring Dr. Umar A. Umar here, but I am satisfied with his achievements in just three months in acting capacity,” he said.
“On the issue of payments, absorb qualified casual staff into the federal payroll. This will ease the burden while also ensuring the institution retains its best hands.”
He urged the management to sustain ongoing publicity, community engagement, and internal communication, stressing that such efforts were critical to the College’s stability and growth.
Dr. Dabban also disclosed that plans were ongoing to ensure all ARCN colleges benefit from TETFund interventions, with a Memorandum of Understanding already being processed.
He further encouraged FCHDK to introduce new academic programmes and strengthen vocational training in skills such as tailoring and other trades to support youths interested in such fields.
Speaking during the visit, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at ARCN, Dr. Aliyu Shuaibu Madugu, explained that funds expected under the proposed TETFund partnership would focus strictly on research and staff development.
Also, the Council’s Legal Adviser, Barr. Shehu Aliyu, urged staff and union leaders to conduct their activities in line with the ARCN establishment laws to reduce litigations and promote institutional harmony.
In his presentation, the Acting Provost, Dr. Umar A. Umar, outlined key achievements recorded within his first 90 days, including improved institutional visibility through intensified engagement with the host community, traditional rulers, media organisations and social media platforms—efforts aimed at boosting student enrolment.
He also reported strengthened communication between management, academic and non-academic staff, unions and casual workers, as well as the enhancement of security and reactivation of abandoned infrastructure, including greenhouses and other facilities.
Dr. Umar further listed the repair of three staff buses, establishment of the College’s Academic Planning Unit, and implementation of the 500 Farmers Initiative, an ongoing seedling production project among significant milestones.
However, he appealed to the Executive Secretary to intervene in the College’s low overhead allocation challenges, noting that the institution currently borrows funds to pay casual and security personnel.
The Deputy Provost, in his remarks, assured full management support for Dr. Umar and recommended his confirmation as substantive Provost.
He pledged that all ongoing projects would be completed within one month and called for sustained harmony among staff, building on the legacy of former Provost, Dr. Babaworu Mamoud Ali.
Heads of units and management staff also commended Dr. Umar’s leadership style, describing it as transformational.
The delegation later paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Yamaltu, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, who lauded the ARCN leadership for revitalising the College.
The Emir prayed for continued cordiality between the Council and the College’s management.
The highpoint of the visit was an inspection tour of facilities by the Executive Secretary and his entourage.
