Professor Sangari Seeks a Better Relationship Between Land and Water Resources Relationship

The situation in land and water resource relationship is that little land development is achieved with much water provided in dams.

This was the view of renowned Professor of Geography and Land Resources Dalhatu Umaru Sangari when he delivered the 36th Inaugural Lecture of the Nasarawa State University on Wednesday 18th October 2023  titled “ So Much Water, Very Little Use: Water Use And Land Development In Savannah Region of Nigeria.

According to Professor Sangari, the assertion needs to change to more land development with less water, that is grow more with less. Stressing that not every improvement makes sense and thus, dams in the Nigerian Savannah Zone are good examples of improvements that are yet to make sense.

The Inaugural Lecturer painted a gloomy picture of the over 11 Dams and River Basins constructed in the Savannah region of Nigeria to bring efficiency in dry-season land development but these infrastructures operate below 20 percent of their installed capacities.

He further stressed that the financing requirements for water security infrastructure are enormous and are estimated at $20 Billion (USD) from 2000 to 2025, it is no longer acceptable where less than half the water is provided in dams and other facilities, and less than half of the 71 million hectares of arable land are used while a huge proportion of the people are faced with food and other shortages.

Earlier, in his welcome remark, the Vice-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Professor Suleiman Bala Mohammed congratulated Professor Dalhatu Sangari for being the 36th presenter of the Inaugural Lecture series noting that the University administration will continue to support the revered academic tradition.

The event featured goodwill messages from distinguished dignitaries which include the Polish Ambassador to Nigeria, Her Excellency Joanna Tarnawaski, former Minister of Commerce & Industry and current Pro-Chancellor Taraba State University, Jalingo, and also a former teacher of the Inaugural Lecturer, Ambassador A.D. Idris Waziri CON, and a prolific Tarab State politician and philanthropist Chief David Sabo Kente, among other numerous well-wishers who came to support Professor Sangari.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of a plaque of honour to the presenter by the Vice-Chancellor and also a donation of a brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep to Professor Sangari by Distinguished Senator David Jimkuta representing the good people of Taraba South.

Professor Dalhatu Umaru Sangari was a Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing Taraba South was at various times the Dean of the Faculty of Science both at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, and IBB University, Lapai.

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