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.

UTME     ITEM 7     Kudirat Arinola Lawal     Nigerian Medical Association     Eghe Igbinehin     JAMB     Aliyu Muhammad Saifudeen     Yusuf Abdulraheem     Gwanara     Hydro-electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission     Amoyo     Oluronke Adeyemi     CCB     Idris Amosa Oladipo Saidu     Computer Based Test     Wahab Abayawo     Suleiman Yahya Alapansapa     Alaiye     Kisra     Code Of Conduct Tribunal     Aro Yahaya     Kale Kawu     Muhammadu Gobir     Ope Saraki     Bolaji Nagode     Tanke Flyover Bridge     Post Utme     Al-Adaby     Shonga     Mohammed Jimoh Faworaja     Joseph Alex Offorjama     Unilorin     Jumoke Gafar     Kulende     NIRSAL     IHS Towers     Abdulmumini Sanni Jawondo     Muftau Akanbi Oke     Mohammed Danjuma     Lawal Arinola Kudirat     Bank Of Industry     ASUU     NULGE     Yahaya Abdulkareem Babaita     Bello Bature     Opobiyi     Kwara State Sports Commission     Alagbado     Boko Haram     Moremi High School     BECE     Yunus Lawal     Idowu Aremu     Ahmed Idris Mohammed     Suleiman Ajadi     Hussein Olokooba     Curfew     Fatimat Saliu     Radio SBS     National Democratic Congress     Saka Balikis Kehinde     Abdulfatah Ahmed     Abdulrazaq Akorede     Fatai Garuba Labaka     Public Holiday     Halimat Yusuf     Law School Scholarship     Olupako     Kwabes     Sam Okaula     Al-Hikmah University     MalHub     Najim Yaasin     Pakata Development Association     Association Of Kwara State Online Media Practitioners     Ganmo Power Sub-Station     Face Masks    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Kwara Poly     Tayo Alao     Muhammadu Buhari     Balogin Alanamu     Kwara Hotel     Old Oyo     KWTV     Joseph Alex Offorjama     Folajimi Aleshinloye     Yusuf Ibitokun Sherifat     TIC     Public Holiday     Abiodun Jacob Ajiboye     ITEM 7     Ibrahim Abduquadri Abikan     Theophilus Oyebiyi     Okin Group     Ishaq Oloyede     Sai Kayi     Abubakar Usman Jos     Joana Nnazua Kolo     AbdulRauf Keji     Ubandoma     Razaq Atunwa     Yekini Adio     Kassim Babamale     Olam Food Ingredients     Ajibola Saliu Ajia     Christopher Ayeni     Shehu Raheem Adaramaja     Bello Bature     Paul Odama     David Adesina     Guber Aspirant     Ibrahim Gambari     Goodluck Jonathan     Nigeria Computer Society     Aliyu Kora Sabi     Dele Belgore     Lanre Olosunde     Forgo Battery     Ayobami Seriki     New Model Police Station     Abatemi Usman     Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa     Mufti Of Ilorin     Muhammed Abdullahi     3MTT     Pilgrims Board     Bola Iyabo Ibiyeye Adisa     Ogbondoroko     Moshood Mustapha     Laolu Saraki     Abdulsalam A. Yusuf     Toyin Falola     Yusuf Arowosaye     John Kehinde Salako     Anilelerin     Sarafadeen Kayode Akorede     Benin Republic     Durosinlohun Kawu     Haleeman Salman     HYPPADEC     Balogun Ajikobi     Ibrahim Abdulqadir Abikan     Olayinka Olaogun     Abubakar Olusola Saraki     Bolaji Abdullahi     Ejidongari     JSSCE     Government High School (GHS), Adeta     Owode Market     Olupako     GANZY     Doyin Agbamu     African Democratic Congress     Sola Saraki University