The Kogi State Ministry of Livestock Development has officially taken over the management of the state’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project.

The L-PRES Project was previously managed by the state Ministry for Agriculture and Food Security.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojomah, noted that transferring L-PRES to the newly established Ministry for Livestock Development was a significant move, signalling the state’s commitment to strengthening its agricultural sector.

At the handover and taking ceremony held in Lokoja during the meeting of the Kogi L-PRES State Steering Committee, the event underscores the state’s commitment to improving livestock production and its related value chains.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojomah, praised President Bola Tinubu’s initiative to establish the Ministry of Livestock Development, which aims to tackle the persistent challenges in the livestock sector and resolve conflicts between farmers and herders in the country.

Ojomah said, “The outgoing State Steering Committee Chairman, noted that the Steering Committee members had been working and collaborating towards the implementation of L-PRES Project in the state.”

He emphasised the need for the State Project Coordinating Office to establish stronger synergies and collaborations with the main Ministry and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the project’s objectives and goals are met.

In his acceptance speech, Dr Olufemi Bolarin, the Commissioner for Livestock Development, expressed deep appreciation to Gov. Ahmed Usman Ododo for his visionary leadership in establishing the Ministry of Livestock Development.

Dr Bolarin observed that the strategic decision aims to focus on livestock production, animal health, and value-chain development – vital areas with significant potential to ensure food security, create employment, and promote 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 emphasised that the move will consolidate policies, improve coordination, and drive programmes such as ranch development, animal health services, and infrastructural support for the livestock value chain clusters.

Dr Bolarin pledged to work with stakeholders to establish Kogi State as a West African model for livestock development.

He highlighted the importance of partnership and continuity, thanked the contributors, and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to Gov. Ododo’s vision for a productive and sustainable livestock sector in the state.

In separate remarks, State Commissioner for Environment Hon. Olusegun Joseph and Water Resources Engr. Yahaya Farouk emphasised 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 harness 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, which is crucial for the state’s development.

In his welcome address, Kogi L-PRES Project Coordinator, Mr. Abdulkabir Otaru, said the project has achieved some success in livestock productivity, commercialisation, and resilience in the state.

He commended the commissioners and other committee members for their support towards livestock development and the successful implementation of the L-PRES Project, and urged them to maintain their continued support.

Otaru thanked and appreciated His Excellency, Alh Ahmed Usman Ododo, for his full commitment to supporting the implementation of the L-PRES Project through the payment of the State Counterpart Fund and for creating an enabling environment to improve livestock productivity in the state.

The Project Coordinator noted that Kogi L-PRES has secured several approvals from the World Bank for implementing critical infrastructural sub-projects, training, and capacity building of livestock farmers to advance the livestock sector in the state.

Other committee members include the Ministry of Finance and Budget Planning, the Ministry of Women Affairs, livestock farmers, and others.

The highlight of the occasion was the handover of official documents by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security to the Commissioner for Livestock Development.