The Kogi Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (Kogi L-PRES), has emphasized the importance of the One Health approach in safeguarding the health of humans, animals, and the environment in the state
The State Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Mr Abdulkabir Onoruoyiza Otaru, stated this at the one-day fourth quarter Stakeholders’ Engagement meeting on Strengthening One Health Platform for One Health Officers in Kogi State.
Mr Otaru noted that the meeting, organised by Kogi L-PRES in collaboration with Kogi State Ministry of Livestock Development, was the third in the series aimed to assess progress, identify gaps, and chart improved strategies for 2025 and beyond.
He said the meeting aimed to bring together professionals from the Ministries of Livestock, Health, and Environment, focusing on strategies for ensuring animal and human safety.
He highlighted the importance of the One Health initiative, emphasizing the need for collaboration to ensure food safety and security in Kogi State.
He noted that Kogi L-PRES, a World Bank-assisted project, has been supporting stakeholders’ engagement meetings, critical training and capacity building for livestock farmers and the key value chain actors at the Livestock Value Chain Clusters across the State
He noted that the project has secured approval to conduct the Feasibility Studies and Design for the construction of Climate Smart Abattoir in Lokoja and to construct five (5) Model Slaughter Houses across the three Senatorial Districts of the state.
The SPC stressed that the engagement is expected to yield actionable plans to improve livestock development and food safety in Kogi State, aligning with Gov. Ahmed Ododo’s vision for the sector.
“We must prioritize hygiene standards during slaughtering to ensure that products reaching the market meet safety standards, protecting humans, animals, and the environment.
“Participants are expected to implement the meeting’s outcomes in their respective agencies and ministries, aligning with World Bank specifications and standards.
“The State Project Coordinator thanked and appreciated His Excellency, Gov. Ahmed Usman Ododo for the opportunity to serve and for his unwavering support for farmers, especially in livestock development in Kogi State.
“We’ll work to achieve his vision for Kogi State’s growth, creating impactful projects implementation across the 21 LGAs,” Otaru said.
The Permanent Secretary, Kogi Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr Abdulsalam Hadi, stressed that collaboration across sectors is essential in addressing emerging infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and climate-related health risks.
Dr Hadi noted that Kogi State has positioned itself as a leader in driving the integrated One Health approach and commended One Health officers for their dedication and professionalism.
The Permanent Secretary emphasised that the Ministry, under the leadership of Gov. Ahmed Ododo, remains committed to supporting the One Health platform.
“The ministry is committed to strengthening capacity, and investing in systems that promote early detection, rapid response, and preventive health measures,” he said.
Stakeholders’ representatives from various organizations, including the Ministries of Health and Environment, WHO, NAFDAC, SEMA, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), praised the initiative.
The stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to teamwork, pledging to implement the meeting’s outcomes in their respective agencies and ministries to ensure disease prevention and health security.