ANAMBRA GOVT PARTNERS FIRM ON LIVESTOCK DIGITISATION, CONSTITUTES STEERING COMMITTEE

By Chukwuka Ugokwe :

The Anambra State Government and Dilimson Holdings Limited are to use new technologies to explore and expand opportunities existing in livestock agricultural sector for effective collaboration.

To drive implementation of the initiative,18 Man Steering committee for “Anambra State Livestock Information Management System” has been inaugurated.

It was gathered that the partnership will encompass crucial aspects such as development of robust database on animals/livestock and standardisation of global best practices.

While on the collaborative meeting held in Awka, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiofor, expressed optimism that the project would enhance fulfillment of the Ministry’s  livestock development mandate.

“I acknowledge Dilimson for the initiative to partner us in the fulfillment of our mandate to the people of the state in the quest for food security and livestock protein.

“So for us to be able to measure livestock in Anambra State, we need to know what they are, where they are and what they are doing.”

Inaugurating the 18 Man Steering committee members under his watch as Overseer, Dr Ihejiofor, urged them to work with high sense of commitment as a team toward delivering the value to Ndi Anambra.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Ifeyinwa Uzoka, who shared background information about the collaboration, explained that presentations would be done to enable the committee members to know the roles expected of them.

Responding, the Chief Executive Officer of Dilimson Holdings, Mr George Umobi, said the Firm  supported financially for the project by an international organization, Romania Aid, has recorded over 20 years of practice in animal identification and management.

While emphasizing the need for facilitating technology driven innovation and development within the livestock sector, he said they are geared to work together with the state government on tagging of animals for traceability and identification.

“We are set to begin digitisation of livestock because there are so many things that will go into that data.

“Tagging these animals are very important because it helps in farm management, development of the animals and the Veterinary Services Department management of animal health,” Umobi added

The two parties had signed a memorandum of understanding in May, 2024 which outlined a collaborative frame work for the project.

Highpoint of the meeting was inauguration of members of the steering committee by Mr Commissioner as follows: Mrs Ifeyinwa Uzoka, Special Project Implementation Unit, Dr Chu Basil Ejidike,1st Chairman, Mr James Obienyem, Co Chairman, Mr George Umobi, 2nd Co- Chairman, Dr Viadu Ovidiu, 3rd Co-Chairman, Dr Edet Umoh will serve as the Secretary.

Others include, Amarachi Ifeduba, Assistant Secretary, Mrs Ebere Ojimadu, Financial Secretary, Mrs Rebecca Echebi, Assist Financial Secretary, Mrs Chiamaka Agbili and Mr Alex Izuakor, Community Engagement Experts, Mr Chudi Udechukwu and Mr Ifeanyi Nwaegbo, Assist Community Engagement Experts.

While Mr Chibumkasim Umobi and Mr Chukwuka Ugokwe will serve as Communication Officer and Assistant Communication Officer respectively.

*Chukwuka is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State