*L-PRES delivers 500,000 doses
*Unveils new cold chain facility
By Joy Salami
Kogi State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has received a substantial donation of 500,000 doses of anthrax vaccines from the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES).
The delivery, which was made by L-PRES National Project Coordinator, Mr. Abubakar Sanusi, aims to enhance the state’s animal health services.
In his address, Mr. Sanusi emphasised that the donation is part of L-PRES’s ongoing efforts to bolster animal health in Kogi State, stressing the importance of vaccination in preventing anthrax outbreaks, protecting livestock, and supporting farmers’ livelihoods, which ultimately boosts the local economy.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Timothy Ojomah, expressed deep gratitude for the vaccines, highlighting their timely and essential role in preventing anthrax, a significant threat to both livestock and public health.
He equally used the medium to call for continued and expanded support from L-PRES to sustain and advance the State’s animal health initiatives.
During the visit, the National Project Coordinator also inspected the newly completed Cold Chain Storage Facility and Laboratory within the Ministry’s complex.
These state-of-the-art facilities are crucial for the effective storage and analysis of vaccines and other veterinary supplies.
The Cold Chain Storage Facility is equipped with advanced refrigeration systems to maintain vaccines at optimal temperatures, while the Laboratory features modern diagnostic equipment for comprehensive animal health assessments.
This initiative aligns with L-PRES’s broader objectives of strengthening national livestock institutions, enhancing value chain performance, and implementing crisis prevention and management strategies. The delivery of anthrax vaccines and the inspection of new facilities mark significant steps in improving the resilience and productivity of livestock in Kogi State.