Senator Saliu Mustapha Calls for Focus on Agriculture in Local Government Councils
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.
Suraj Tunji Oyewale Taofeeq Olateju Kwara Primary Health Care Development Agency Fatai Olodo Mahmud Ajeigbe Tafida Of Kaiama Wahab Isa Shehu Alimi Foundation For Peace And Development Moses Afolayan David Oyedepo Femi Oladiji Sam Okaula Mahe Abdulkadir Femi Agbaje Ilesha-Gwanara Pacify Labs Kazeem Adekanye Olayinka Are Akanbi-Oke Sodiya Mohammed Tunde-Jimoh Hassan Abdulazeez Elewu Bukola Ajikobi Abdulkadir Jimoh Ebola Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency Ojo Fadumila IEDPU Nupe IESA Maja Basic Education Certificate Examination Daud Adeshola George Innih Patience Jonathan Amusement Park Marufat Oladosu Saliu Shola Taofeek Yakubu Shaaba Mustapha AbdulGaniyu Yusuf Ali Afolabi-Oshatimehin Ejidongari Kwara Funmilayo Oniwa Zainab Abass Ijakadi Razaq Ayobami Akanbi Bello Taoheed Abubakar Osinbajo CUTI Oba Sulaiman Asude ANCOPPS Ishola Abdullahi Tinubu Legacy Forum Pategi Raliat AbdulRazaq Olokoba Abdullahi Ayinla KW-GIS Mahfouz Adedimeji Ashiru Sulyman Abdulkareem Olatomiwa Williams AbdulGaniyu Kareem Agbarigidoma Omoniyi M. Ayinla Shola Odetundun Oasis Muslim Care Foundation Abraham Ojo Federal Allocation Senior Staff Union Of Colleges Of Education Elerin Of Adanla Adijat Adebiyi Tanke Olubukola Kifayat Adedeji Owode Market Paul Olawoore

