ABU professor emerges ESN president

Professor Rabiu Adamu of Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has been elected the new president of the Entomology Society of Nigeria (ESN).

Professor Adamu would pilot the affairs of the Nigeria entomologists for the first two years, a renewable tenure.

The professor of Field Crop Entomology with the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), ABU emerged head of the prestigious professional society at the 51st Annual General Business Meeting held recently at the University of Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State.

The TELA Maize principal investigator at IAR gained the acceptance and fellowship of 1,020 members of insect scientists drawn from across Nigeria universities, colleges of education, polytechnics, federal ministries of health, agriculture, science and technology and environment, as well as agrochemicals and allied industries.

Meanwhile, the new president has pledged to work hard and collaborate with other relevant societies and agencies to showcase the importance of entomology to national development.

In his acceptance speech, Adamu emphasised the urgent need to intensify research and development in the management of pests on crops in the country.

According to him, the impact of invasive pests on farm produces, if not urgently managed, is capable of threatening Nigeria’s drive to attain full food security.

He also emphasised that research effort on vectors that transmits diseases to human and livestock needed to be adequately funded for attainment of better health of the citizens.

Entomologists are scientists in core areas of agriculture, health, environment and others faculties, who specialised in the study of insects and the effect on human, ecology and biodiversity.