Foundation forms Urban Development network, lauds ABU as host

@SimonEchewofun US-based Rockefeller Foundation 100 Resilient Cities (RF100RC) has lauded the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria for its pioneering role and commitment to the training of urban development professionals.

The Associate Director, City and Practice Management of the foundation, Liz Agbor, made the commendation in a keynote address at the 2nd national workshop of the Nigeria Resilient Cities Network (NRCN), a local programme held in Abuja.

Agbor equally commended the University for being the first generation university that has agreed to become the permanent secretariat of NRCN.

The network said, ABU was selected by the British government’s Department for International Development (DFID) in July, 2016 to be the host of the network, considering its contribution in urban planning and development through capacity building.

NRCN, which draws its inspiration from the Rockefeller Foundation, provides a platform for networking, peer learning and capacity building for urban development stakeholders nationwide.

The FCT Minister, Hon. Muhammad Musa Bello reminded participants of the urgency of action required to address the implications of rapid and unsustainable urban growth in Nigeria, expressing the commitment of the FCT Administration to be an active member of the network.

ABU’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, represented by Prof. Adamu Ahmed, Director for Advancement said DFID founded the network with its programme, ‘The Niger Infrastructure Facility’. He assured of the university’s readiness to support the network.