The Kogi State House of Assembly has officially confirmed the appointment of Dr. Olufemi Bolarin as the Commissioner for the newly established Ministry of Livestock in Kogi State.
This decision was made on Tuesday during a plenary session held in Lokoja.
The Speaker of the House, Umar Aliyu, who read the communication from Governor Usman Ododo, highlighted the importance of the legislature’s role in confirming nominees to ensure they meet the necessary qualifications before assuming office.
Dr. Bolarin’s confirmation followed a detailed questioning session by members of the House.
After deliberating on his qualifications, he was unanimously approved to take up the position of Commissioner for Livestock.
Dr. Olufemi Bolarin has previously served as the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Kogi State, as well as the State Coordinator for L-PRES, an initiative aimed at improving rural livelihoods.
In an exclusive interview with an Assembly correspondent shortly after his confirmation, Dr. Bolarin shared his excitement about the opportunities ahead.
He expressed optimism for the livestock sector in Kogi, emphasizing that the state has a distinct advantage in livestock management.
Dr. Bolarin proudly noted that Kogi is one of the first states in Nigeria to take the step of forming a dedicated Ministry of Livestock.
He commended the Governor for this move and suggested that it is a step in the right direction for the state.
He pointed out that the ultimate goal is to phase out the traditional nomadic farming practices and replace them with modern, more sustainable approaches to livestock management.
This, he said, would help improve productivity, enhance the quality of livestock farming, and provide better livelihoods for farmers in the state.
Speaking about the future, Dr. Bolarin said, “The ultimate aim of nomadic herding is extinction, so we have to embrace modern agriculture.”
He added that modernizing livestock farming is crucial for the state’s agricultural growth, and that this initiative could be a model for other states to follow.