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.

Taofik Abiodun Ahmed     Ahmed Bolaji Nagode     James Ayeni     Eleja Taiwo Banu     Adama Isa     Kwara State Fire Service     Bayo Onimago     Abubakar Abdulraheem     Principal Private Secretary     Alaiye     Siddiq Adebayo Idowu Salawu     PPS     Mashood Dauda     Harmony Holdings     Muhammadu Gobir     Ekweremadu     Olaiya Zuberu     Air Peace     Kwara 2019     Egbewole     Alore     Police Commissioner     Kwara United     Ganmo Electricity Sub-Station     Amos Justus Sayo     Al-Hikmah University     Vishvas KOZ Tractors     Busari Alabi Alausa     Taofik Abdulkareem     Afonja     Toun Okewale-Sonaiya     Idofin     Mohammed Jimoh Faworaja     KWASIEC     Oja-Oba     AIT Ilorin     Government Girls’ Day Secondary School Pakata     Firdaos Amasa     Abdulmajeed Abdullahi     Kwara State Polytechnic     Afolabi-Oshatimehin     Adanla-Irese     Abdul-Rahoof Bello     Olaoye B. Felix     John Olobayo     Joseph Offorjama     GANZY     Adisa Logun     Bankole Omishore     Ibrahim Oniye     Owode Market     CKNG     Wahab Femi Agbaje     Sulyman Atolagbe Alege     Senate President     Onilorin Of Ilorin     Raimi Iyanda     Ajeigbe     Dele Momodu     Baboko     Olayinka Oladapo Jogunola     Hausa     Damilola Yusuf     Musa Aibinu     Lasiele Alabi Yahaya     Temitope Ogunbanke     Raliat Elelu-Habeeb     CT Ayeni     KWAFFA     Florence Saraki     Mohammed Lawal Bagega     Akeem Olatunji     Smart School     Ahmed Alhasssan     Atiku Abubakar     Hamidu Olowo     Garuba Alikinla Shittu    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Raymond Olaitan     Muideen Olaniyi Alalade     David Oyerinola Adedunmoye     Ibikunle Ogunleye     Madawaki Of Ilorin     2023 Elections     Roheemat Hammed     Gobir     Lithium Deposit     BECE     Musa Ayinla Yeketi     Saraki     Ilorin.Info     IHS     Ajibike Katibi     UNILORIN Alumni Association     Jimoh Bashir     Shonga     Makama Of Kaiama     Simeon Sule Ajibola     Balikis Jawondo     Taofeek Sanusi     Yekeen Alabi     Fatai Adeniyi Garba     Kuliyan Geri     Otunba Taiwo Joseph     Lola Olabayo     Abubakar Atiku     Bilikis Oladimeji     Makama Of Ilorin     Gbugbu     Adeola Abraham     Kishira     Prince Bola Ajibola     Mansurat Amuda-Kannike     Ibrahim Jawondo     Kwarareports     Henry Olaosebikan     Yakub Ali-Agan     Onilorin Of Ilorin     Balogun-Ojomu     Olayinka Oladapo Jogunola     CLAY POT     HICA     Abdulkareem Alabi     Amina El-Imam     Salihu Yahaya     Maryam Ado Bayero     Dogara     Lai Gobir     Baboko Primary School     Joseph Bamigboye     Gobir Organization Foundation     Bluenile Associates     Afolayan     Joseph Daudu     Eleyele     Societe Generale Bank Of Nigeria     Biliaminu Aliu     National Association Of Nigerian Students     Ilorin South Constituency     Sheikh Alimi     Valsolar Consultoria     Mahmud Ajeigbe     Olam Food Ingredients     Medview Airlines     Saka Onimago     Shade Omoniyi     Omu Aran     Olofa Of Offa     Mohammed Abdulahi     Oju Ekun Sarumi     Wahab Agbaje     COVID     Alabi Olayemi Abdulrazak     YAKOOYO     T And K FOODS