By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Kogi Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (Kogi L-PRES) has renewed its commitment to strengthening the One Health approach in the state, emphasizing improved human, animal, and environmental health. This was the focus of the project’s fourth-quarter stakeholders’ engagement held in Lokoja.State Project Coordinator of Kogi L-PRES, Mr. Abdulkabir Onoruoyiza Otaru, said the One Health framework remains essential in addressing public health threats, food safety challenges, and environmental risks. He noted that the initiative aligns with global best practices for managing livestock production and safeguarding communities.
Otaru explained that the meeting, organised in partnership with the Kogi State Ministry of Livestock Development, was the third in the series designed to review progress, identify operational gaps, and develop enhanced strategies for 2025 and beyond.He highlighted the project’s achievements under the World Bank-assisted programme, noting that Kogi L-PRES has consistently supported stakeholder engagements, technical training, and capacity-building programmes for livestock farmers and key value-chain actors across the state.
According to him, Kogi L-PRES has also secured approval to commence feasibility studies and design work for a Climate-Smart Abattoir in Lokoja, along with the construction of five model slaughterhouses across the three senatorial districts. The infrastructure upgrade, he said, will significantly improve meat hygiene, environmental safety, and market quality.“We must prioritize hygiene standards during slaughtering to ensure that products reaching the market meet safety standards. This is key to protecting humans, animals, and the environment,” Otaru stated.
He expressed appreciation to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for providing strong support for agricultural and livestock development initiatives in the state.“We will work to achieve the Governor’s vision by implementing impactful projects across the 21 LGAs,” he added.Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Abdulsalam Hadi, reiterated that cross-sector collaboration is vital in tackling emerging infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and climate-related health risks. He noted that Kogi State has continued to position itself as a leader in advancing the integrated One Health approach.“
The ministry is committed to strengthening capacity and investing in systems that support early detection, rapid response, and preventive health measures,” he said.Representatives from the Ministries of Health and Environment, WHO, NAFDAC, SEMA, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) commended the initiative.Stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to inter-agency collaboration, pledging to implement the resolutions reached at the meeting to enhance disease prevention, public health security, and food safety across Kogi State.
