BY AHMED AKANBI
Governor Agbu Kefas has approved the appointment of Prof Demo Joab Usman Kalla as Vice-Chancellor of the Taraba State University of Tropical Agriculture, Science, Technology and Climate Action, Gembu.
The appointment was announced in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Government of the State, Chief Gebon Timothy Kataps, Esq., on Monday in Jalingo, the state capital.
Until his appointment, Kalla served as Director of the TETFund Centre of Excellence on Dairy Research and Development at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, and as a member of the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee.
The statement describes Kalla as a prolific scholar with an impressive record of high-quality research publications in reputable local and international journals.
”His contributions to the field of Animal Science have earned him wide recognitionj within academic and professional circles,” it stated.
Kefas expressed confidence that Kalla would bring his wealth of experience in academia, research, leadership and administration to bear in providing visionary leadership for the new institution.
According to the governor, the university is expected to be positioned as a centre of excellence in tropical agriculture, science, technology and climate action.
He wished the new Vice-Chancellor a successful and impactful tenure, and urged him to work diligently with relevant stakeholders to realise the university’s mandate.
Kefas also charged Kalla to drive advancement in education, research, innovation and sustainable development in Taraba State and beyond.
The university, located in Gembu, Sardauna Local Government Area, is one of the flagship higher education projects of the Kefas administration aimed at expanding access to specialised education.