Olu Samuel, Lokoja
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo has inaugurated the Steering and Technical Committee of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (Kogi L-PRES).
The committee with the responsibility of providing technical support to enhance livestock productivity was Inaugurated in Tuesday evening in Lokoja by the governor.
This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday and made available to Newsmen in the early hours of Wednesday by Richard Alabi,the projects spokesman.
Alabi said that Governor Ododo charged the Committee and the Project Implementation Unit to ensure that L-PRES works for the State particularly the masses.
Represented by his Technical Adviser on Multilateral and Donor Funded Projects, Dr. Abdullahi Sanni Ozomata, the Governor urged the Committees as well as management and Staff of Kogi L-PRES to follow the guidelines strictly in line with international best practices.
According to him, “the Project is expected to add value to livestock farming in the State, saying the objective of the project is to improve commercialisation of productivity and resilience”.
He said that with the three value chains of the project which include; Sheep and Goat, Cattle and Poultry farming, the fortunes of Livestock farmers in the State are set to change for better and increased productivity of livestock farming.
“Apart from thousands of employment generation of the project, the L-PRES project will enhance food security which is one of the thematic agenda of his administration”.The governor noted.
In his remarks, Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojoma, who expressed delight that the Kogi State is among the States where the Project is being implemented, emphasized the need for synergy among the Technical and Steering Committees as well as the Project Implementation Unit.
He cautioned the State Coordinating Office of L-PRES against acts that will hamper on the effective and efficient implementation of the projects.
The Commissioner, who also doubles as the Chairman of the State Steering Committee, reiterated the significance of the committees in advancing the state’s agricultural agenda.
He therefore charged the committee members to embrace their roles with dedication and a sense of duty to the people of Kogi State.
On his part, the State Commissioner for Water Resources, Engineer Yahaya Farouk, pledged his ministry’s readiness to provide the necessary support needed to the success of the project in the state.
Earlier, the State Project Coordinator, Dr. Olufemi Bolarin in his speech described the project as a catalyst for transformation, resilience, and inclusive growth for the state through its three key components namely: strengthening national livestock institutions, enhancing value chain performance, and crisis prevention and management.
“As we embark on this journey together, I urge each member of the State Steering Committee to embrace their role with utmost seriousness and diligence. Your leadership, vision, and collaborative spirit will be instrumental in driving the project forward and ensuring its effective implementation at the grassroots level.
“It is imperative that we work hand in hand with all relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector partners, civil society organizations, and local communities, to build strong synergies and maximize the impact of our interventions. By fostering partnerships and leveraging resources, we can overcome obstacles, seize opportunities, and create lasting change in the lives of our people, Dr. Bolarin added.
According to Dr. Bolarin, the Project has been properly designed to address critical challenges and unlock the full potential of the state’s livestock sector.
“I have full confidence in the capabilities of this esteemed committee to lead us towards a brighter future for the livestock sector and the people of Kogi State. Let us unite our strengths, inspire each other, and chart a course towards prosperity, sustainability, and resilience for generations to come.