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.

Mohammed Abdulahi     Kwara State Council Of Chiefs     Na\'Allah     NURTW     Alimi     Teachers Specific Allowance     KWAFFA     Lateef Ademola Olatunji     IQRA College     Ronke Adeyemi     Alumni Association Of The Federal Polytechnic Offa     Kwara Consultative Forum     KWASSIP     Ahmed Idris Mohammed     AGM Professional Services     Smart School     Babaita     Sayomi     Umar Saro     Ayegbeni     Peter Amogbonjaye     Centre For Community Empowerment And Poverty Eradication     Osuwa     Umar Yakubu Jaja     Odolaye Aremu     Gobir     Jebba     Lanwa     A.O. Belgore     UITH     Minimum Wage     Abdulrazaq Sanni     Fawenu     LEAH Charity Foundation     Ademola Kiyesola     Baboko Primary School     Eruku     Fatai Adeniyi Garba     Muslimah Entrepreneurship Forum     Segun Adeniyi     Saadatu Modibbo-Kawu     Abdulraheem Olesin     Oya State     Abdullahi Saadudeen Alikinla     Ndama Al-hassan     Ibrahim Taiwo Road     SDP     Kwara Basketball Association     Sheikh Alimi     Prince Bola Ajibola     JUSUN     Bilikisu Gambari     IHS     Sabi     Halimat Yusuf     Hamza Usman     Law School Scholarship     Tinubu     United Nigeria Congress Party     Olatunji Ayeni     Adama Isa     Taofeek Ibraheem     Agor     Amusement Park     John Olajide Adedipe     SSA Youth     Omupo     Muideen Olaniyi Alalade     Baaziki Sulaiman     Akom Construction And Engineering Synergy Ltd     Bayo Ojo     KWSUED     NYSC     Hydro-electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission     Nurudeen Muhammed     Yomi Adeboye     Suwa-Arabs    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Kulende     Tayo Alao     Olatunji Ayeni     Ogbondoroko     Abdulmajeed Abdullahi     Oluwarotimi Boluwatife Adenike     Fatai Garuba Labaka     Isiaka Rafiu Mope     Voices Of Tomorrow     Sunday Popo-Ola     Iyeru Grammar School     Kunle Okeowo     Sulyman Buhari     Tosho Yaqub     New Naira Notes     Danladi     George Innih     Ganmo     Bashiru Makama     ER-KANG Mining     Olupako     Bayer AG     Oke Sunna     Haruna Tambiri Mohammed     Umar Danladi Shero     Yekeen Alabi     Smart School     Shehu Adaramaja     Ilorin Metro Park     Ubandoma Of Ilorin     Egbewole     Olomu Of Omu-Aran     Magaji Nda     Y.A. Abdulkareem     Eleyele     Justina Oha     Balogun Fulani     Fatai Adeniyi Garba     John Olajide Adedipe     Idowu Aremu     Nigerian Army     Senate     Adama Isa     Ella Supreme Tissue Paper     Omoniyi Ayinla     Yomi Adeboye     Ahman Patigi     Rihanat Ajia     Amina Susa\'a De Ahmed     MINILS     Kwara State Branch Of The National Library     Toyin Saraki     Kumbi Titiloye     Timothy Akangbe     Lawal Jimoh     Ibrahim Labaika     TETFUND     Saka Keji     Emir Of Ilorin     Marufat Oladosu     Turaki     Michael Ologundea     Goodluck Jonathan     David Oyerinola Adedunmoye     Hamidat Sulyman-Yusuf     Ezekiel Yissa Benjamin     Iyabo Adisa Ibiyeye     Lawal Olohungbebe     Omoniyi     Neuropsychiatric Hospital     Lai Mohammed     Salaudeen Oyewale     Elerinjare-Ibobo     Christopher Ayeni     Abdulwasiu Bolaji Adeyi     Yakubu Dogara     Adebayo Salami