Writing By Ali Muhammad Rabiu; Editing By Godwin Duru
Kwara state government has put in place measures to improve the livestock sector of the economy and create jobs.
The state Commissioner for Livestock Development, Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Thomas stated this in her keynote address, “Titled The livestock Development in a changing economy, prospect in unlocking the value Chain” delivered at the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) 2026 Press Week held in Ilorin, Kwara state.
According to her, the livestock sector in Nigeria is not what it use to be in the past.
She said contemporary initiative is to unbundled the livestock sector from the subsistence era to a more commercialised sector.
Thomas said the sector is expected to increase its contribution from 30 billion naira to 70 billion naira into the economy.
She explained that a model agricultural city is being proposed to enable the state achieve the maximum benefit in the agricultural economy.
The commissioner noted that the nation required about 1.7million metric tonne of dairy products, but only about 600,000 metric tonnes is produce .
She said based on the available data, only 35 percent of dairy product is produced locally while the balance of 65 percent of the dairy products are imported mostly in powder form.
She maintained that the market has been created to accommodate prospective livestock farmers and grow their business.
In her remarks, the Guests Speaker and Kwara state Commissioner for Communications , Mrs. Bolanle Olukoju , represented by the Director of Information, Mr. Demola Olanrewaju said the media play a vital role in information dissemination to the public.
She said the responsibility of the media does not have conflict with the working of the state government.
She urged the media to continue in the spirit of accurate and fair reportage of the activities in the state.
In his address, the Chairman of the occasion and Principal synergy Impact Consultants Limited , David Babalola represented by Moyo Abolarin said the media has been able to synergise and collaborate with the people to make things better.
For his part, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu -Gambari , represented by his spokesperson, Abdulazeez Arowona expressed satisfaction with the activities of the media professionals in the state.
He said the contribution of the media in the promotion of peace and development in the state and the country in general cannot be over emphasised.
In his remarks, the Founder Mai Nasara Foundation, and Danmasanin Gwanabe, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed, thanked the media for the special role they played in showcasing the security challenges in the state and the country in general.
He urged them to continue in the same spirit until the abducted people of Kiama are freed.
Earlier in his address , the Chairman Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kwara state Council, Comrade Biola Azeez said the role of the journalist has become very cumbersome and challenging.
Comrade Biola noted that the journalists believes in constructive writing and fairness, adding that the younger journalists should work hard and protect their credibility.
ALI MUHAMMAD RABIU
