Senator Saliu Mustapha Calls for Focus on Agriculture in Local Government Councils
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.
Sa\'adatu Modibbo-Kawu Obayomi Azeez Shuaib Abdulkadir Ibrahim Bio Suleiman Yahya Alapansapa Communication Network Support Services Odogun Olushola Gabriel Baba Idris Air Peace Age AbdulKareem Abdulquawiy Olododo Law School Scholarship Ethical College Col. Adedipe National Union Of Road Transport Workers Olatinwo Laduba Chartered Institute Of Personnel Management Of Nigeria EndSARS Amina Susa\'a De Ahmed Maigidasanma CCEPE MMWG Mohammed Alabi Lawal Bayo Mohammed Onimode Hameed Oladipupo Ali Tunji Ajanaku Shoprite Christopher Ayeni Abdulrazaq Sanni Habeeb Abdullahi Al-Ilory Quranic Recitation Competition Magaji Are Hakeem Idris Alabi Lawal Garba Dogo Oye Tinuoye Oniye Oke Sunna Universal Basic Education Commission IQRA College Ajuloopin Ajia-Bako EFCC Suleiman Mora Omar Kale Ayo Mohammed Halidu Ronke Adeyemi Michael Nzekwe Adedipe Albert Ogunsola Tafida Of Kaiama Sarah Alade Ijagbo Health Centre AbdulRasaq Abdulmajeed Alaro Muftau Akanbi Oke Ilorin Curfew Maryam Ado Bayero Abdullahi AbdulMajeed Ophthalmological Society Of Nigeria Saba Jibril Saadu Yusuf COEASU Orisun Igbomina Yusuf Mubarak Muhammad Mustapha Suleiman Valsolar-Kwara Company Limited Local Government Pension Board Mohammed Yisa Kwara State Infrastructure Development Fund KWASIEC Bankole Omisore Tanke Bibire Ajape Emmanuel Olatunji Adesoye Lucky Omoluwa LAK Jimoh

