By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Kogi State Government has officially transferred the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project to the newly established Ministry of Livestock Development, in a move aimed at strengthening livestock production and value-chain growth across the state.
The handover ceremony took place on Monday in Lokoja during a meeting of the Kogi L-PRES State Steering Committee, marking a key milestone in Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration’s efforts to reposition the livestock sector for greater productivity and food security.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojomah, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the Ministry of Livestock Development at the federal level, describing it as a timely step toward addressing persistent challenges in the livestock industry and resolving farmer–herder conflicts nationwide.
Ojomah, who chaired the Steering Committee prior to the handover, highlighted the committee’s collaborative efforts in implementing the L-PRES Project in Kogi. He emphasized the need for stronger synergy between the State Project Coordinating Office, the new ministry, and other stakeholders to ensure the project achieves its intended objectives.
Strategic Realignment for Livestock Growth
In his acceptance speech, the Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr. Olufemi Bolarin, expressed gratitude to Governor Ododo for his “visionary leadership” in creating a dedicated ministry to oversee the livestock sector.
Dr. Bolarin noted that the strategic decision reflects the government’s commitment to promoting livestock production, animal health, and value-chain development—key components for enhancing food security, creating jobs, and driving rural economic growth.
“The transition of the L-PRES Project to the Ministry of Livestock Development aligns with global best practices. It will ensure focused coordination of livestock agribusiness initiatives such as ranch development, animal health services, and infrastructural support to livestock value-chain clusters,” he said.
He pledged to collaborate with stakeholders at both state and national levels to position Kogi State as a model for livestock development in West Africa.
L-PRES Records Steady Progress
Also speaking, the Kogi L-PRES Project Coordinator, Mr. Abdulkabir Otaru, noted that the project had recorded significant progress in livestock productivity, commercialization, and resilience since its inception.
Otaru commended Governor Ododo for his continuous support, particularly in ensuring the payment of the state’s counterpart fund and creating an enabling environment for livestock development.
He disclosed that Kogi L-PRES has received several approvals from the World Bank for the implementation of critical infrastructure subprojects, as well as training and capacity-building initiatives for livestock farmers across the state.
