The Kogi State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (Kogi L-PRES), with support from the World Bank, has commenced a series of capacity-building workshops and stakeholders’ sensitisation on antimicrobial resistance across the state.
The training brings together livestock farmers, veterinary doctors, physicians, and environmental health professionals to address the dangers of drug misuse, over-prescription, and self-medication in both humans and animals.
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Declaring the programme open in Lokoja, the State Coordinator of Kogi L-PRES, Abdulkabir Otaru, said the initiative is focusing not just on food production and food security, but more importantly on food safety.
He explained that the programme adopts the “One Health” approach, linking human health, animal health, and environmental practices to ensure the safety of food consumption.
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The training, which will also hold in Kabba, Okene, and Anyigba, is expected to directly reach about 400 participants, while more than 2,500 farmers will benefit indirectly through community-level sensitisation.
The Commissioner for Health. Dr. Abdulazeez Adams represented by the State Epidemiologist, Dr Austin Ojotule, assured that the ministry will continue to partner with stakeholders to tackle antimicrobial resistance and ensure that the impact of the training is felt at the grassroots.
Also speaking, a public health expert, Dr. Yakubu Ago, stressed the importance of diagnostic testing before antibiotic use, warning that indiscriminate drug use undermines food safety and public health.
Stakeholders at the event pledged continued collaboration to reduce antimicrobial resistance across the state.
