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.

Ijakadi     Otuka     Abdul-Rahoof Bello     Bamidele Adegoke     Aisha Buhari     Wahab Kunle Shittu     Omoniyi     Erubu Oba Zubair     Unilorin     Wahab Abayawo     Kassim Babamale     Peter Amogbonjaye     Modibbo Kawu     Taofik Abdulkareem Babaita     Danhawa     Abdulmumin Yinka Ajia     Toyin Saraki     Vasolar Consultoria     Aminu Ado Bayero     Bello Taoheed Abubakar     NITDA     Agor     Bilikis Oladimeji     Bolaji Gambari     Abdulfatai Ahmed     National Party Of Nigeria     Economic And Financial Crimes Commission     Olohungbebe     Air Peace     Kwara State Sports Commission     QuickWin     Ezekiel Yissa Benjamin     Umar Ayinla Saro     ARMTI     Ajasse-Ipo     Abdulazeez Uthman     Abubakar Bature Sulu-Gambari     Mohammed Ibrahim     Jumoke Monsura Gafar     Iqra Books     Kabir Shagaya     IYA ALFA NLA     KWASSIP     Diagnostic Centre     Kayode Alabi     Sunset Workers     Marufat Oladosu     NIPR     Shuaibu Yaman Abdullahi     Al-Hikmah University     Ahman Pategi     Abikan     Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency     Women Radio     Muhammed Aliyu     Atunwa     Elerin Of Adanla     Abdulquowiyu Olododo     Abdulkadir Orire     Abdulmumini Sanni Jawondo     Computer Based Test     Oba Sulaiman Asude     Olusegun Adeniyi     Florence Saraki     Abdul Jimoh Mohammed     Lukman Oyebanji Fagbemi     Fatai Garuba Labaka     Ahmed Dankaya     Rice Farmers Association Of Nigeria     Rafiu Olasile     Kayode Oyin Zubair     Okin Malt     Tunde Mukaila Mustapha     Segun Olawoyin     Ajakaye     Nnazua     Lanre Issa-Onilu    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Binta Abubakar-Mora     Code Of Conduct Tribunal     Bukola Saraki     Fatimat Saliu     Jimoh Lambe Abdulkareem     Sobi     Surajudeen Akanbi     Yinka Aluko     David Adesina     Al-Ilory     Rafiu Ibrahim     AbdulRasaq Abdulmajeed Alaro     Michael Nzwekwe     Abubakar Abdullahi Bata     Shuaib Jawondo     Sa\'ad Alanamu     Amos Justus Sayo     Fatai Garuba Labaka     Oko Erin     Abubakar Kawu Baraje     Ella Supreme Tissue Paper     Amada Jidda     Tanke Flyover Bridge     Abdulrasheed Lafia     Maigida Soludero Transit     SWAN     AbdulRaheem Ahmad Shayi     Sun Qing Rong     Oba David Oyerinola Adedunmoye     Kwara Apc     Ojo Fadumila     Michael Ologundea     Ahmed Ayinla Jimoh     Olumide Daniel Ibitoye     Idowu Aremu     Aliyu Kora Sabi     Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission     Omotoso     Otunba Taiwo Joseph     Olaosebikan     Ezekiel Yissa Benjamin     Matthew Babaoye     Alfa Modibbo Belgore     Taofeek Sanusi     Olam Food Ingredients     Sam Onile     Abdul-Rasheed Na\'Allah     Wale Oladepo     ASMAU PLAZA     Musa Ayinla Yeketi     Unicontinental Construction Company     Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa     NIPOGA     Moshood Kashimawo Abiola     Timothy Akangbe     Akeem Lawal     Admiralty Villa     Femi Gbajabiamila     Yemi Sanni     Kulende-UITH     Medinat Folorunsho Salman     Lateef Fagbemi     Tunji Moronfoye     Usman Yunusa     Wole Oke     Kwara Polytechnic     SAPZ Project     Kawu Baraje     Durosinlohun Kawu     Ayobami Akanbi     Nigeria Foundation For Artificial Intelligence     Saka Saadu     Lanwa     Oladimeji Thompson     Aliyu U. Tilde     Olanrewju Okanlawon Musa     Ilorin Like-Minds