By Waziri Mahdi Isa
The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Transportation, Daura, Hon. Prof. Umar Adam Katsayal, mni, has called on all Nigerians to seek knowledge in order to break the barriers of opportunities.
Prof. Katsayal made the call on Sunday, 6th July, 2025 in Sandamu Local Government Area of Katsina State while delivering a keynote address at the grand reception of AIG Mustapha Bala Sandamu on his retirement.
The occasion, according to the Chief Communication Officer of the University, Malam Umar Usman, was also organized in honor of the Director-General, National Agricultural Seed Council of Nigeria, Hon. Fatuhu Muhammad for his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
The Vice-Chancellor expressed his gratitude for his invitation to serve as a guest speaker at the event, emphasizing that, the two individuals deserve to be celebrated for their various achievements.
“AIG Mustapha Bala Sandamu, also known as Sardaunan Sandamu has contributed significantly to the development of his community, through the Sardaunan Sandamu Foundation.
“As a philanthropist, his contributions were in the provision of clean water through the repairs of existing and construction of new boreholes; provision of scholarship to students of higher institutions; provision of palliative materials to less privileged in the society.
“Empowerment to build businesses; renovation of existing and building of new mosques for religious gatherings; donation of food items and clothes to the needy; provision of solar electricity; and cash donations”, the VC highlighted.
The Vice-Chancellor said that, for these contributions and many more, the retired Police General deserved a celebration as he came back home to continue to support his people.
The celebrant today, was commissioned into the Nigeria Police Force in the year, 1992, specifically on 18th May, as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police, which means he had served his nation for 33 years.
The Vice-Chancellor emphasized that, retiring is not the end of life, saying that, as the AIG had returned home, we hope and pray for bigger opportunities for him to continue to serve his community, state and the country at large.
Speaking on the other celebrant, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Katsayal described Hon. Fatuhu Muhammad as a young politician who had contributed immensely to the development of the constituency he had represented in the 9th House of Representative, i.e. Daura, Mai’adua and Sandamu LGAs.
He said that, Hon. Fatuhu Muhammad’s contributions were in the areas of education, infrastructure, healthcare, social support and empowerment, disaster relief, human development, agriculture and legislative functions.
The Vice-Chancellor advised the newly appointed Director-General to, as the DG of the National Agricultural Seed Council of Nigeria, ensure enhancement of seed quality control, through strengthening regulatory framework for seed production, modernizing seed testing laboratories and infrastructure, and training and capacity building for seed inspectors.
Other advises were on expanding access to improved seeds for farmers; initiatives and methodologies; collaboration and knowledge exchange; protection of intellectual property rights and seed breeders; combating counterfeit and substandard seeds; advocacy for increased investment in Agricultural research and development; and impact on Agricultural productivity and food security.
The Vice-Chancellor then closed his address by calling on all Nigerians to be advocates of seeking knowledge, whether through volunteering their time, donating resources, or simply raising awareness.
He said that, with these acts that may seem not weighty, “we can build a future where our children will have the opportunity to learn, grow, and reach their full potentials, thereby adding positive values to our nation building”.