Academic Advancement: World Bank Donates Valuable GIS, Remote Sensing Technology to FUGA
By Matthew Eloyi
In a remarkable display of support for academic advancement and environmental monitoring, the World Bank Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP) has generously donated Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing Technology equipment to the Federal University, Gashua (FUGA) in Yobe State.
This is contained in a press statement signed by Adamu Saleh, Head, Information and Protocol Unit, FUGA.
According to the statement, the equipment, which holds a substantial value in the millions of naira, was warmly received by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Maimuna Waziri, and subsequently handed over to the Geography department.
This invaluable equipment comprises projectors, television monitors, printers, digitizers, GPS units, and various sensors, among other cutting-edge tools. The donation is poised to significantly bolster the university’s capacity in various areas, including environmental monitoring, climate change impact studies, and the management of natural disasters such as fires, droughts, flooding, freshwater availability, evapotranspiration, and crop yields.
Professor Maimuna, in expressing her gratitude for the donation, emphasized the potential for these tools to mitigate the effects of desertification, improve the livelihood and security of the region, and contribute to essential research. Additionally, the equipment will aid the university in tackling the devastating consequences of flooding, which often results in the loss of lives and damage to critical service delivery infrastructure and property.
In her words, “I sincerely want to extend my profound gratitude on behalf of the Senate, management, and the entire staff and students of Federal University Gashua, especially those at the Geography department, for the wonderful gesture from the World Bank and the MCRP team.”
While commending the World Bank for its generous support, Professor Maimuna urged the Geography department to utilize the equipment judiciously, emphasizing that these resources are meant to encourage teaching, research, and technology application in addressing pressing societal challenges.
The handover event also saw the presence of important figures within the university, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic Services, Dr Ahmed Ibrahim Jajere, the Head of the Geography Department, Dr Lawrence Ejeh Udeh, and the University Auditor, Mohammed Musa Machina.
It’s worth noting that this project was funded by the World Bank through the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP) of the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC). The initiative encompasses a range of components, including a research grants program aimed at supporting applied research in the Agriculture Value Chain to enhance crop production, food security, and livelihood in the Yobe Basin, among other crucial areas.
The World Bank’s contribution also extends to greenhouse farming for improved nutrition and food security. In addition, the project seeks to mediate the role of non-interest financial institutions in addressing financial exclusion in the North-East, thereby promoting economic development. Lastly, it focuses on peace-building, social cohesion, and counter-terrorism efforts to mitigate the impact of the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states, particularly in the agricultural sector.
This laudable endeavour underscores the World Bank’s commitment to fostering positive change and development in regions facing multifaceted challenges. The donation of GIS and Remote Sensing Technology equipment to FUGA promises to open up new horizons for research, education, and environmental management, thereby benefiting the entire community.
