In a significant move signaling the state’s commitment to bolstering its agricultural sector, the Kogi State Government has officially handed over the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to the newly established Ministry of Livestock Development.
The ceremony, held on Monday in Lokoja during the meeting of Kogi L-PRES State Steering Committee, underscores the state’s dedication to enhancing livestock production and its associated value chains.
During the hand-over, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojomah, commended the initiative by President Bola Tinubu to create the Ministry of Livestock Development aims to address the lingering constraints in the livestock sector and farmers/headers conflict in the country.
Ojomah, the outgoing State Steering Committee Chairman, noted that the Steering Committee members had been working and collaborating together towards the implementation of L-PRES Project in the state.
He, however, stressed the need for State Project Coordinating Office to build stronger synergies and collaborations with the mother Ministry and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the objectives and goals of the project are achieved.
In his acceptance speech, Dr Olufemi Bolarin, the Commissioner for Livestock Development, expressed profound appreciation to Gov. Ahmed Usman Ododo for his visionary leadership in creating the Ministry of Livestock Development.
Dr Bolarin noted that the strategic decision, aims to focus attention on livestock production, animal health, and value-chain development – critical areas with substantial potential for ensuring food security, generating employment, and fostering rural prosperity in Kogi State.
According to him, the L-PRES Project’s transition to the Ministry of Livestock Development aligns with best practices, ensuring focused attention on livestock agribusiness development initiatives.
He stressed that the move will consolidate policies, enhance coordination, and drive programs like ranch development, animal health services, infrastructural support to the livestock value chain clusters
Dr Bolarin pledged to collaborate with stakeholders to position Kogi State as a West African model for livestock development.
He emphasised partnership and continuity, thanked the contributors and affirmed the ministry’s commitment to Gov. Ododo’s vision for a productive and sustainable livestock sector in the state
In separate remarks, Environment Commissioner Hon Olusegun Joseph and Water Resources Commissioner Engr. Yahaya Farouk emphasized the importance of harmonious collaboration among steering committee members to drive the state’s progress and development.
They emphasised the need to work together to harnessing the resources towards making Kogi the Agricultural hub of Nigeria .
They urged the committee members to ensure no gaps are created that could hinder the smooth implementation of the L-PRES Project, crucial for the state’s development.
In his welcome address, Kogi L-PRES Project Coordinator, Mr Abdulkabir Otaru, said the project has recorded some levels of success in livestock productivity, commercialization and resilience in the state .
He commended the commissioners and other committee members’ for their support towards the livestock advancement and successful implementation of the L-PRES Project and urged for their continued support.
Otaru thanked and appreciated His Excellency, Alh Ahmed Usman Ododo for his full commitment to supporting the L-PRES Project implementation through the payment of the State Counterpart Fund and creating enabling environment towards improving livestock productivity in the state.
The Project Coordinator noted that Kogi L-PRES has secured several approvals from the World Bank for implementations of critical infrastructural Sub-projects, training and capacity building of the livestock farmers towards the advancement of the livestock sector in the state.
Other committee members include: Ministry of Finance and Budget Planning, Ministry of Women Affairs, livestock Farmers and, among others.
The highlight of the occasion was the hand-over of official documents by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, to the Commissioner for Livestock Development.
