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.

Chief Imam Of Offa     Toun Okewale-Sonaiya     Wahab Abayawo     Onikijipa     Economic And Financial Crimes Commission     Amos Sayo     Umar Gunu     Mahe Abdulkadir     Ilorin Amusement Park     Saba Mamman Daniel     Oke-Ode     Abubakar Ndakene     Abdulraufu Mustapha     Senate Presidency     Ilorin General Hospital     Tescom.kwarastate.gov.ng     Baboko Primary School     Kwara State Football Association     NIRSAL     Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq     Aishat Sulu-Gambari     Yusuf Abdulraheem     Coronavirus     Saad Belgore     Fatimat Saliu     Shettima     Mohammed Yisa     David Adesina     Adamu B. Yaqubu     Halimat Yusuf     Sulaiman Gado     Alabere     National Pilot     Hijaab     SUBEB     Sarkin Malamai     Edret Sabi Abel     Modibbo Kawu     Umar Yakubu Jaja     Damilola Yusuf     Abdullahi Adisa Akodudu     Afin Descendants Union Of Odo-Owa     Emmanuel Olatunji Adesoye     Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa     Omotosho     Ajikobi     State Bureau Of Internal Revenue     Amada Jidda     Moshood Kashimawo Abiola     Gaa Olobi     Salihu Ajia     Veterinary Teaching Hospital     Olatunji Bamgbola     Abdulganiyu AbdulAzeez     College Of Arabic And Islamic Legal Studies     Justina Oha     Elelu     Ilesha-Gwanara     Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission     Obasanjo     Mohammed Jimoh Faworaja     Abdulwaheed Musa     Hijab     Kwabes     Saeedat Aliyu     QuickWin     Baba Isale     Mopelola Abdulmaliq-Bashir     CCB     Ridhwanullah Al-Ilory     Agboola Abdulraheem     Lanre Issa Onilu     Adanla-Irese     Abubakar B.M     Afolayan     Park     Olabanji Orilonishe    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Overland     Kunle Suleiman     Bamidele Aluko     Kwara Apc     Lola Ashiru     Jide Oyinloye     Alabere     Oniye     Ayo Adeyemi     Gbenga Awoyale     Bolakale Saka     Oke-Ode     Khadijat Ayoola Yusuf     Dunmade     Folaranmi Aro     Abdulmutalib Shittu     REO CAKES     Yomi Adeboye     SSA Youth Engagement     Shehu Alimi Foundation For Peace And Development     IPSAS     Federal College Of Education (Special), Afon     Balogun Fulani     Special Adviser On Digital Innovation     Umar Adelodun     Kwara Central     Durbar Festival     Moji Makanjuola     Ramat Oganija     Ishaq Salman     Cornelius Adebayo     Amosa     Oke-Ogun     Young Progressives Party     Olugbense     Kulende-UITH     Ilorin Muslim Community     Suleiman Ajadi     Alfa Modibo Belgore     ASMAU PLAZA     Kubra Kazum     Shao     Kwara State Fire Service     Halimat Yusuf     Olatunji Ayeni     Ali Ahmad     Ayobami Akanbi     Kehinde Baale     Umar Bayo Abdulwahab     Village Alive Development Association     Daud Adeshola     Kamaldeen Kehinde     Abdulrasheed Na\'Allah     Ayoade Akinnibosun     Markaz Arabic And Islamic Training Institute, Agege     Mohammed Khadijat Kubura     Coronavirus     Isapa     Kwara State Coalition Of Business And Professional Associations     Na\'Allah     Halimah Perogi     Kanu Agabi     Mohammed Katsina Ahmed     Oluwarotimi Boluwatife Adenike     Oloye     Kayode Laro     Aasiyat Bello Oyedepo     Gbemi Saraki     Olabimpe Olani     Afolayan     Yusuf Lanre Badmas     Oasis Muslim Care Foundation     Sayomi     Senior Ibrahim Suleiman     George Innih     Raliat Islamic Foundation     Aiyedun