In a bid to boost Livestock farming in Kogi State, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has empowered about 500 youths and women poultry farmers.
The Empowerment of the beneficiaries chosen across the 21 Local Government Areas for those in the poultry value chain is under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project L-PRES, a World Bank Project.
Interactive session of Kogi L-PRES women and youth credit support beneficiaries with the Gov. Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo
Speaking at an Interactive session of Kogi L-PRES women and youth credit support beneficiaries, Governor Ododo felicitated with them and announced that he is personally providing N100, 000 each to the 500 beneficiaries as logistics, saying inputs will be provided by the Service Provider (L-PRES).
According to Governor Ododo, as part of an effort to encourage local industry, he has directed the L-PRES Team to patronize local Producers of inputs as a way of boosting business in the State.
Cross Section of the Beneficiaries
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for including women and youths in the governance of the country and pledged his support always, urging the people of Kogi State to support him to pull the nation out of the current economic quagmire.
He said instead of talking to the street to protest, Nigerians should embrace farming to make sure that the people eat what they product as a way of crashing the current high cost of food.
“As a state, we will continue to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s laudable initiative in making Nigeria great. To those Nigerians who are bent on violent protests, let reasoning prevail. We are making progress. We are moving forward. Our hopes are back.
According to him, “Any violent protest at a time like this will no doubt reverse our gain in the past 13 months. The intent of the promoters of protest in Nigeria are concealed in political desperation.
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.
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