The Kogi State Office of Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project has initiated a comprehensive awareness campaign across the state for the project’s advancement.
As detailed in a press release issued and distributed to journalists in Lokoja, the state capital, the project is under the implementation of the state government, facilitated by the Project Implementation Unit, and receives backing from the World Bank. Its primary objectives encompass boosting productivity, resilience, and commercialization within selected value chains.
Furthermore, the initiative seeks to fortify the state’s ability to effectively address eligible crises or emergencies.
During an engagement with stakeholders in Adogo, the headquarters of Ajaokuta Local Government Area, the State Project Coordinator, Olufemi Bolarin (represented by the Project Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Omojo Akuh), highlighted the significance of the awareness campaign. This effort aims to cultivate understanding, foster collaboration, and harness the potential opportunities presented by the project.
“The project, when fully implemented, would lead to an increase in productivity, strengthen resilience, and develop the commercialization of the livestock enterprise”, Bolarinwa noted.
The coordinator, however, solicited the cooperation of all stakeholders involved in the smooth and efficient implementation of the project for a better and prosperous state.
The Chairman of Ajaokuta Local Government Area, Akaba Mustapha, represented by Momoh Sani Salami, the Local Government Supervisor for Health, applauded the initiative while assuring the project implementation unit of maximum security and other necessary support.
Also speaking during the sensitization visit is Halidu of Ajaokuta (Head of Fulani) Alhaji Isa Abdullahi and Joseph Enesi the Chairman of Poultry Association Ajaokuta Local Government Area; in their separate remarks, the leaders of the various groups lauded the government’s efforts and advocated for the comprehensive inclusion of their respective groups among the beneficiaries, highlighting the potential positive effects on the community.
In his contribution, the Project Extension Officer, Mr. Daniel Okpanachi harped on the importance of accurate mapping and profiling and emphasized the need for livestock farmers to make themselves available for exercise.
“The success of the project relied heavily on the number of successful beneficiaries mapped and profiled, which determines the number of benefits to be received by the state”, he said.
On her part, the Gender-Based Violence Specialist, Sarah Amanebo, emphasized the need for adequate representation of women in the project, while she enjoined women in the livestock business to take full advantage of the project to improve their standard of living.
