By Idris Umar The Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Professor Ahmed Adamu, has disclosed that the univers...
The Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Professor Ahmed Adamu, has disclosed that the university’s monthly electricity bill has dropped from about N370 million recorded in May last year to N240 million currently.
Professor Adamu made the disclosure at the Talk Shop Series 5.0, organised by the Department of Local Government and Development Studies, ABU, Zaria, with the theme, “An Environmentally Friendly Campus Conducive for Learning and Research.”
The Vice-Chancellor urged students to continue conserving energy, saying the university management was also taking steps to address challenges affecting power supply across its campuses.
He said the Director of the Institute of Administration had raised concerns about the lingering power supply challenges, prompting him to engage officials of the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) to address the situation.
According to him, the university would continue to engage KEDCO to ensure that the necessary measures are taken to improve power supply.
Professor Adamu also disclosed that the university management was pursuing discussions with the Federal Government to secure at least two megawatts of sustainable electricity for the Kongo Campus.
He expressed optimism that by the time he returns for the university’s graduation ceremony next year, he would see more projects and initiatives aimed at improving the campus environment.
The Vice-Chancellor commended the students for organising the event, describing it as a demonstration of their commitment to environmental sustainability.
He expressed the hope that similar initiatives would continue across the university’s campuses.
Professor Adamu recalled that ABU had been recognised as one of the greenest campuses in Nigeria, noting that the university conducts a comprehensive tree-planting campaign every year.
“To see students key in protecting the environment at this critical time is worthy of commendation and appreciation,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor explained that the university had previously embarked on several campaigns to encourage staff and students to conserve energy.
He noted that students account for a significant proportion of the university’s energy consumption, particularly as staff members now pay their individual electricity bills.
He, however, said the university management was not interested in increasing students’ energy bills.
Professor Adamu further disclosed that the university plans to encourage every graduating student to plant at least one economic tree as a legacy before leaving the institution.
Alumni President Urges Students To Build Lasting Legacy
The Guest Speaker and President of the Worldwide ABU Alumni Association, Alhaji Adamu Mamman Kontagora, advised the students not to underestimate the impact of their contributions, no matter how small they might appear.
He said students might not immediately appreciate the significance of the ideas they generate, the organisations they establish or the values they promote, but such contributions could transcend generations and influence institutions beyond their immediate environment.
“Yet, with time, these contributions can transcend generations and influence institutions far beyond our immediate environment,” he said.
Kontagora described this as the enduring power of legacy, saying every individual has the capacity to leave a positive imprint on the university and society.
He urged the students to “dream boldly, think critically, and serve selflessly.”
“The initiative you champion today may become the tradition that guides others tomorrow,” he said.
Addressing ABU alumni, he urged them to remain committed to the university, stressing that their relationship with the institution did not end with graduation.
“We all have something valuable to contribute towards strengthening the institution that helped shape our lives,” he said.
He added that the true measure of success was not merely what individuals achieved for themselves but what they left behind for others.
Programme Aimed At Promoting Environmental Sustainability
Earlier, the Convener of the programme, Professor Abdul Hamidu Abdullahi, said the initiative was designed to engage Level 2, 3 and 4 students in promoting environmental health and sustainability within the university campus and neighbouring communities.
Professor Abdullahi said students of the department had remained committed to promoting environmental protection and energy conservation through the annual programme.
He expressed optimism that the initiative would continue to inspire students to take greater responsibility for protecting the environment and promoting sustainable energy use within and beyond the university community.
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