Uni-Abuja Plants 1,503 Date Seedlings

The University of Abuja, FCT, has planted 1,503 date palm seedlings on 12 hectares of land as part of efforts to raise date plantation in the environment.

Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, Vice Chancellor  of the University said during the flagg-off of the plantation at the main campus that apart from making the environment friendly, the plantation would contribute to the economic development of the country.

According to him, the plantation will not only facilitate teaching and research, but alleviate poverty and ensure food security in the country in line with some of the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Na’Allah said the university  believed in the potential of agriculture, not only as a source of revenue generation, but to also it’s ability to change the fortunes of this country.

He said that with the strategic location of the institution, it would continue to serve as frontrunner in agricultural research and development in the country.

The Vice Chancellor said his administration would ensure that the institution  continued to give maximum support to research, adding that students would benefit greatly from the plantation.

Na’Allah said more economic trees like teak, jatropha, oil palm and mahogany, would also be planted.

The premier newspaper reports that the exercise was a collaboration between the University of Abuja and the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR).