Senator Saliu Mustapha Calls for Focus on Agriculture in Local Government Councils

Date: 2024-09-07

As reported by Voice of Nigeria, Senator Saliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has advocated for prioritising agriculture within local government councils across Nigeria.

Speaking at the dinner and award night hosted by the Correspondence Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ilorin, Senator Mustapha emphasized the need for constitutional amendments to reassign the core responsibilities of Local Government Areas (LGAs) to agriculture. He highlighted the critical role the agricultural sector can play in revolutionising the nation's economic development.

Represented by his aide and senior lawyer, Abdulkareem Alabi, Senator Mustapha, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, stated that agriculture should no longer be treated as secondary or left exclusively to private enterprise.

Focus on Agriculture

Instead, the Lawmaker urged for a nationwide strategy where local governments are constitutionally mandated to focus on agriculture as their primary function.

“Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, and it holds the key to addressing unemployment, food insecurity, and rural developments” Senator Mustapha stated.

“For too long, our local governments have been distracted by peripheral responsibilities. It is time we refocus their energies on what really matters – agriculture and rural developments.”

He argued that local government areas is closer to the grassroots, are in a prime position to facilitate agricultural development and rural transformation, both of which are crucial for food security and economic growth.

According to Senator Mustapha, Nigeria's reliance on oil revenues has not only left the country vulnerable to global market fluctuations but also stunted the growth of its agricultural sector, which remains the largest employer of labor in the country.

By institutionalising agriculture as the central focus of LGAs, the senator believes Nigeria can unlock vast economic potentials, improve livelihoods, and ensure sustainable development.

“In India as in Brazil, the local government plays a crucial role in agriculture. Brazilian municipalities are deeply involved in managing rural extension services, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and ensuring that smallholder farmers have access to resources. This model has contributed to Brazil becoming one of the world's largest agricultural producers, particularly in soybeans, sugar, and beef.”

Senator Mustapha noted that these international models demonstrate how empowering local governments to prioritize agriculture can yield significant dividends.

He said countries like India and Brazil have transformed their economies through localised agricultural development, meaning that Nigeria could replicate these successes if it realigns its focus.

 

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Sayomi     Alaiye     Saidu Kawu     Adolescent Girls Initiative For Learning And Empowerment     Village Alive Development Association     Taofeek Ibraheem     Oya State     Centre For Community Empowerment And Poverty Eradication     Yahaya Abdulkareem     CACOVID Palliatives     Monsurat Omotosho     Ibrahim Abduquadri Abikan     Iponrin     Ibrahim Taiwo Road     Salary     LEAH Charity Foundation     Nigerian Medical Association     Abubakar Suleiman     Abegunde Goke     Afeyin-Olukuta     Oke-Kura     Federal Polytechnic Offa     Kishira     Ojuekun     Senate Presidency     Onilu     Hamid Bobboyi     Sabi     Quareeb     Tunde Mukaila Mustapha     Olatunji Ibrahim     Chief Of Staff     The Herald     Association Of Kwara State Online Media Practitioners     Kwara Poly     Victor Gbenga Yusuf     Ibrahim Abdullahi     Mustapha Olanipekun     Muhammadu Buhari     Budo-Egba     Odogun Olushola Gabriel     Saka Adeyemo     Turaki Of Ilorin     Kayode Oyin Zubair     CCB     Kupchi Hosea Maxwell     Abdul-Rasheed Na\'Allah     Lateef Ademola Olatunji     April 11     Aro Yahaya     NYSC     Christopher Odetunde     Mohammed Yahaya Barki     Kayode Zubair     Bola Magaji     Mumini Ishola Hanafi     Iyabo Adisa Ibiyeye     Medinat Folorunsho Salman     Saka Onimago     Kumbi Titiloye     Halimat Yusuf     Saliu Ajibola Ajia     Titus Ashaolu     Baba-Isale     Sa\'ad Alanamu     Mujtabah Bature     Oluwatoyin Lukman     Abdullah Janet Amudat     Samuel Elizabeth Keatswa     Muhammed Akanbi     FERMA     Kwara State Government     Ubandoma Of Ilorin     Raji Ayodele Kamaldeen     Alapansapa     Mansur Alfanla     TIIDELab    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Alfa Modibbo Belgore     Mohammed Danjuma     Col. Taiwo     BIR     Emir Of Ilorin     Ndakene     Abdul-Rasheed Na\'Allah     Alaaya     Quranic Recitation Competition     Abubakar B.M     Summit University     Oluwole Dupe     Kwara State Fish Farmers Association     Muhammed Danjuma     Kwara State Governor     Ridhwanullah Al-Ilory     Oya State     Gabriel Fashanu     David Oyerinola Adedunmoye     Prince Bola Ajibola     Convocation Ceremonies     Mohammed Lawal Bagega     Oke-Kura     Shola Odetundun     Ahman Patigi     Moronfoye     Kulende-UITH     Gamji Members Association     Halimah Perogi     Ballah     Suleiman Ajadi     NITDA     Crystal Corner Shops     Seed Technologies     Sidikat Uthman Ajibola     IEDPU     Yusuf Mubarak     Saduki Lafiagi     Igosun     Amuda Musbau     Modupe Oluwole     Bisi Oyeleke     Adeleke Ogungbe     Abdulrahman Abdullahi Kayode     08001000100     Lanre Aremu     Oko Erin     Oloriegbe     Esinniobiwa Quareeb     Kassim Babamale     Kwara State University Of Education     Ilorin Emirate Stakeholders Forum     Haleeman Salman     Ajase-Ipo     Abdulkadir Jimoh     Raliat Islamic Foundation     Iyiola Oyedepo     Oniye     Gaa Olobi     Apaokagi     Alloy Chukwuemeka     Musa Ayinla Yeketi     Nigerian Army     Sai Kayi     Oke-Ogun     TESCOM     Yoonus Lawal     Olabimpe Olani     Akeem Olatunji     Bareke     Ayodele Olaosebikan     Mamatu Abdullahi     Quareeb     Nigeria Foundation For Artificial Intelligence     Olawuyi     Alumni Association Of The Federal Polytechnic Offa     Sayomi