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Dr. Alhassan Usman

osman

I never thought of becoming an agriculturist but when I found my way into the discipline I realised that nature had placed me in an area where I could contribute to the generality of the human populace.
Alhassan Usman was born into a family of a trader who knew nothing about western educationat Umaisha District of Toto Local Government AreaNasarawa StateNigeria. He is currently married with four children; two boys and a set of female twins. Alhassan lost his father at the age of six. As per African traditionhis uncle took over his father s responsibility and saw him through education from primary school through to university. Alhassan got his first degree (BSc. Agriculture) at Ahmadu Bello University Samaru Nigeriawith an option in Plant Science. He was employed as a lecturer at the College of Agriculture Lafia. After his master s degree in Plant BreedingAlhassan was employed as a groundnut breeder at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) ABU Zaria. While workinghe pursued his PhD programme with Ahamadou Bello University. In 2007When the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) announced its call for Applicants for the 2008 academic year. His friend Mr. Dayo Adeyanjualerted and encouraged him to apply. Without wasting time he applied but was not taken. Feeling disappointedAlhassan resolved not to apply again but to continue his PhD in his Institution. In 2008Alhassan received an advert from WACCI encouraging him to re-apply. He recounts I took the advice reluctantly thinking that it will not work; fortunately for me I was considered. IndeedI could not believe it till the last day I found myself on a Virgin Nigeria flight to Ghana. My dream had come true. According to Alhassanmany breeders in Nigeria really do not want to work with groundnut. He has therefore taken it as a challenge to breed for improvement in the quality and disease resistance of the crop. That has been his dream.Here at WACCI my wish is to research on Breeding groundnut for resistance to groundnut rosette virus and its vector Aphis craccivora in Nigeria.he says.