By Rotimi Odofin
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has taken a significant step in empowering 500 women and youths in poultry and livestock farming in Kogi State.
This initiative, carried out through the World Bank Assisted Project, Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), aims to support individuals involved in the poultry value chain across the 21 Local Government Areas.
The interactive session held at the Government House in Lokoja brought together the beneficiaries of the Kogi L-PRES women and youth credit support program, where Governor Ododo personally provided N100,000 to each of the 500 beneficiaries for logistics. Inputs will be supplied by the Service Provider (L-PRES) to ensure the success of the project.
Governor Ododo emphasized the importance of supporting local industries by directing the L-PRES Team to source inputs from local producers.
This move, he said, not only boosts business within the state but also contributes to the overall economic growth.
Speaking further, Governor Ododo commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his efforts in including women and youths in governance and pledged his continuous support.
He urged the people of Kogi State to join him in supporting the nation’s progress and emphasized the importance of embracing farming to combat the high cost of food.
Governor Ododo’s message resonated with a call for unity and progress, urging Nigerians to prioritize peaceful means of expression and focus on productive activities like farming.
He expressed optimism for the future and encouraged citizens to work together towards a brighter tomorrow.
In his address, the State Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Dr. Olufemi Bolarin acknowledged the vision of the Governor and tireless effort as well as the commitment demonstrated for the project.
Dr. Bolarin said the Empowerment for women and youth in poultry value chain Credit Scheme was in line with the vision of the present administration.
According to him, Governor Ododo is rewriting the narrative of livestock farming in the State, pointing out that the selection process of the beneficiaries was transparent.
He pledged the commitment of the L-PRES Project to supporting the beneficiaries towards achieving the dream of enhancing livestock farming in the State.
The Project Coordinator added that with the scheme, about five hundred families have been empowered to make themselves reliant in poultry farming, noting that necessary inputs will be provided for them.
He noted that the beneficiaries are divided into three categories of poultry farming which include; Production, Processing and Marketing.
For those that will be involved in Broiler Production Day Old Chicks (DOCs), feeds, Drugs and Vaccines will be provided free of charge, while those that will engage in Egg Production, will get Point of Lay (POL), Feeds and Drugs, with the Marketing category getting Processing, Preservation Equipment such as deep freezer, Generator set, stabilizer, table size broiler birds and packaging bags.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojomah congratulated the beneficiaries on their selection and appreciated Governor Ododo for his passion to develop Agriculture.
According to him, all the effort will soon yield positive results with improved food security, saying the choice of youths and women was a calculated attempt to engage them meaningfully by creating jobs.
He applauded the Kogi L-PRES team for making the State proud, saying the Ministry will continue to formulate agricultural policies that will enhance the wellbeing of the people.
On his part, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Multilateral and Donor-funded Projects. Dr. Sani Ozomata described the programme as a one term life opportunity that should be judiciously utilized for the purpose intended.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Samuel Mark, a physically challenged person, described the programme as a “saving grace” and called for more inclusion of its members in the project.
Mr. Mark praised L-PRES and World Bank for believing in the ability of people living with disabilities and including them the selection of beneficiaries.
