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.

The Herald     Garba Ado Sanni     KWATMA     Abdulwasiu Bolaji Adeyi     Jaiz Bank     Suleiman Idris     Kwara-SAPZ Project     Iliasu     Muazam Nayaya     Rueben Parejo     Ahmed Dankaya     Just Law Forum     Oluwarotimi Boluwatife Adenike     Muhammadu Buhari     LABTOP     Edu     Oke-Ode     Onikijipa     Kolawole Bashirat     Ibrahim Abikan     Alloy Chukwuemeka     Abubakar Abdullahi Bata     Apata Ajele Secondary School     Roseline Oni Aremu     Ayoade Akinnibosun     KWSUED     Afolasade Opeyemi Kemi     Kwara State Infrastructure Development Fund     Playing Host     Mohammed Ibrahim     Bashir Adigun     Jumoke F. Ajao     Elerin Of Adanla     Ilorin Like-Minds     Taofik Abiodun Ahmed     Henry Makinwa     Oluranti Idowu     Odo-Owa     Okeose Christian Cementary     NFAI     Damilola Yusuf Adelodun     Femi Gbajabiamila     Suleiman Alege Kuranga     Laboratory-to-Product     Taibat Ayinke Ahmed     Edret Sabi Abel     Ibrahim Bio     Baba-Isale     Siddiq Adebayo Idowu Salawu     Sardauna     Lanre Badmus     KWAFFA     Adeola Abraham     Adesoye College     Olatunde Michaels     Lotus Bank     Adegoke Bamidele     Muhammad Toyin Sanusi     Tunde Yusuf     Muslim Media Watch Group Of Nigeria     Amosa     Ogidi-Oloje     CCB     Yusuf Badmus     Yusuf Lanre Badmus     Oye Tinuoye     Olomu     Akorede     AbdulGafar Tosho     Lanre Jimoh     Photo News     Maigida     Saka Saadu     Ile Arugbo     Olubukola Kifayat Adedeji     Bamikole Omishore     Akeem Olatunji    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Mohammed Tunde-Jimoh     Simeon Sayomi     Bank Of Industry     Sobi Specialist Hospital     Wasiu Onidugbe     Share/Tsaragi     Oyelere Oyinloye     Salami Adekunle     Gamji Members Association     Bello Oyedepo     Umar Yakubu Jaja     Saka Adeyemo     Oko Erin     LEAH Charity Foundation     Matthew Babaoye     Bola Tinubu     Kwara State Fire Service     Sunday Popo-Ola     Bisi Kristien     Ilorin General Hospital     Okasanmi Ajayi     Kaiama     Logun     Abdulmajeed Wahab     International Aviation College     Oke-Kura     Nupe     Kwara Hotel     Mustapha Akanbi     Peculiar Allowance     Gurei     Shola Odetundun     Alore     Kwara State Sports Commission     Jimoh Lambe Abdulkareem     Abdulraufu Mustapha     Tsaragi/Share     Kwara 2023     11th Galadima     Aliyu Muhammed     Okin Biscuit     Ebola     Makama     Susan Modupe Oluwole     Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye     Samuel Elizabeth Keatswa     Jaiz Bank     Pategi     Veterinary Teaching Hospital     Musa Ayinla Yeketi     Manzuma     National Democratic Congress     Suleiman Ajadi     Ramadhan     Eleja Taiwo Banu     Yinka Aluko     Temitope Ogunbanke     Fatai Olodo     Is\'haq Modibbo Kawu     Yusuf Abdulkadir     Towobola Abdulrahman Toyin     Chartered Institute Of Personnel Management Of Nigeria     Idris Amosa Saidu     Ahman Pategi University     Kwara State Printing And Publishing Corporation     IsDB     Vishvas KOZ Tractors     Sarah Alade     Abdulrosheed Okiki     Ilesha-Baruba     Olaiya Zuberu     Ayoade Akinnibosun     Kwara Basketball Association     National Union Of Road Transport Workers     Awoye     Shade Omoniyi     Ahmad Fatima Bisola