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.

David Oyepinola Adedumoye     Risikat Lawal     NULGE     Magaji Nda     Jimoh Akani     Magaji Are     Mohammed Ghali Alaaya     Sobi FM     Oluwarotimi Boluwatife Adenike     Coalition Of Kwara North Groups     Abdulsalam A. Yusuf     Aishat Mohammed Lawal     Kayode Oyin-Zubair     Ajibola Saliu Ajia     CCEPE     Olabanji Orilonishe     Tunji Folami     Alapado     Adamu Attah     Kwara State Geographic Information Service     Mohammed Ibrahim     Doyin Awoyale     HYPPADEC     Aishatu Ahmed Gobir     Jimoh Olusola Imam     Gbemisola Oguntimehin     Ifelodun     Kwara 2019     John Olajide Adedipe     Mohammed Alabi Lawal     Moshood Bakare     Salman Suleiman     Muritala Awodun     Folashade Omoniyi     Agbarigidoma     Toyin Abdullahi     Idofin     Bukola Ajikobi     Ahmad Uthman     Oluwole Dupe     Owo Arugbo     Alaro     Sobi Specialist Hospital     Basit Olatunji     Seni Saraki     Taiwo Joseph     Olabimpe Olani     Congress For National Consensus     Salihu S. Yaru     Yusuf Amuda Aluko     Sanusi Abubakar     Gamji Members Association     Yetunde Balogun     Bamidele Adegoke Oladimeji     Towobola Abdulrahman Toyin     KWASIEC     Yusuf Ali     Gbemisola Saraki     Ahmad Ali     Bola Tinubu     Lateef Alagbonsi     Umar Yakubu Jaja     Yusuf AbdulRasheed     Elerinjare     Folorunsho Erubu     Vasolar Consortium     Ibrahim Taiwo Road     Ilorin Muslim Community     Tanke     AGILE Programme     Admiralty Villa     Ayinde Oyepitan     Balikis Jawondo     Ballah     Valsolar     Jani Ibrahim     Awwal Jawondo    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Abdullahi Saadudeen Alikinla     Alimi     HYPPADEC     Offa Grammer School     Muhammed Akanbi     Ayodele Shittu     Saheed Alakoso     Yusuf A. Usman     Elelu     Yusuf Abdulkadir     Haruna Olawale Sulaiman     Bayer AG     Abubakar Abdulraheem     Bello Oyebanji     Oyelere Oyinloye     Alaro     Ilesha-Baruba-Gwanara     IPSAS     COVID     Shaaba Lafiagi     Sidikat Uthman Ajibola     Abdul-Rahoof Bello     Sabitiyu Grillo     HICA     Medview Airlines     Omu-aran     Arinola Fatimoh Lawal     Bamidele Adegoke     Rapheal Ashaolu     Kwara Metro Park     Victor Gbenga Yusuf     Maigidasanma     Musa Alhassan Buge     Orisa Bridge     John Olajide Adedipe     2023 Elections     Isin     All Confederation Of Principals Of Secondary Schools     Iyabo Dupe Adekeye     Babaloja-General     Adolescent Girls Initiative For Learning And Empowerment     Emir Of Yashikira     Abdulraheem Olesin     Yahaya Muhammad     Amos Bajeh     Muslimah Entrepreneurship Forum     Olaiya Victor Mobolaji     Oniye     Saduki Lafiagi     Mamman Saba Jibril     Mansurat Amuda-Kannike     Gbugbu International Market     Ayinde Oki     Hussein Oloyede     Village Alive Development Association     Bola Sagaya     Musa Aibinu     Yahaya Seriki Gambari     Wahab Agbaje     Saliu Ajibola Ajia     Tunde Idiagbon Road     Economic And Financial Crimes Commission     Shettima Of Ilorin     AbdulRazaq Abubakar Jiddah     Ajeigbe     Umar Danladi Shero     Adedeji Onimago     Amina Susa\'a De Ahmed     NYSC     IHS Towers     AbdulGaniyu Kareem     Isau     Oko     Kayode Ibrahim     Doyin Awoyale     Emmanuel Olatunji Adesoye     Abubakar Baba