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.

Federal Allocation     Susan Modupe Oluwole     Abdulmajeed Wahab     Olabanji Orilonishe     Tanke Flyover Bridge     RTEAN     Abdul-Rahoof Bello     Tayo Awodiji     Yahaya Oloriegbe     Nigeria Governors\' Forum     Ahmed Bayero     Ibrahim Akaje     Ilorin Curfew     Maimunat Oloriegbe     Peculiar Allowance     Is\'haq Modibbo Kawu     Oke-Oyi     Roseline Oni Aremu     Kwara State Sports Commission     Photo News     Jaiz Bank     New Nigeria People’s Party     Rebecca Olanrewaju     Countryside Emerging Leaders Fellowship     Kwara Consultative Forum     Ibrahim Abdulqadir Abikan     Saka Abimbola Isau     Lanre Issa Onilu     Eleyele     Matthew Okedare     Ibikunle Ogunleye     Kayode Zubair     Minister     Abiodun Jacob Ajiboye     Ahman Pategi     Www.Kwarareports.com     Fatai Olodo     Ahman Patigi     Share     AbdulRazaq AbduMajeed Alaro     Kale Belgore     Rashidi Yekini     Air Peace     AbdulQowiy Olododo     Kwara State Council Of Chiefs     Crystal Corner Shops     Bilikisu Oniyangi     Gwanara     Mohammed Yisa     Rafiu Olasile     Kwara Coalition Of Business And Professional Associations     Yetunde Balogun     Oke-Ode     Olusola Saraki     Chartered Institute Of Personnel Management Of Nigeria     Magaji Erubu     Waheed Ibrahim     Haruna Olawale Sulaiman     Laboratory-to-Product     AbdulGafar Tosho     Lasiele Alabi Yahaya     Akume     Baba-Isale     Ekiti     Muyideen Ajani Bello     Frootify     Yahaya Abdulkareem Babaita     Ghali Alaaya     Oba Abu     Chief Of Staff     Alfa Modibo Belgore     Owode Market     IsDB     Facebook     Abubakar Atiku     Abdulquawiy Olododo     Zulkifli Ibraheem    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Atiku     Jimoh Bashir     Balogun-Ojomu     COEASU     SARS     Olaiya Victor Mobolaji     Bilikisu Oniyangi     Mahee Abdulkadir     Moshood Kashimawo Abiola     Innocent Okoye     Wasiu Onidugbe     Taibat Ayinke Ahmed     Sulyman Buhari     Ibraheem Adeola Katibi     Folashade Omoniyi     Ilorin South Constituency     Yashikira     Oko Erin     Alore     Awili Pedro     Senior Ibrahim Suleiman     Ahmed Idris Mohammed     Owo Arugbo     Folaranmi Aro     Abdulsalam Firdaous Amosa     Niyi Osundare     Riskat Opakunle     Elerinjare-Ibobo     Adedeji Onimago     AbdulRauf Keji     Tunji Folami     Oba Abdulraheem     Saliu Ajia     Raheem Adaramaja     Ayinde Oyepitan     Amuda Aluko     Kwasu     Gbenga Awoyale     Salman Suleiman     Abdullahi Saadudeen Alikinla     Undergraduate Bursary     Umar Ayinla Saro     AGM Professional Services     Bola Shagaya     New Naira Notes     Kwara State Health Insurance Agency     Ishola Moses Abiodun     Siraj Oyewale     Damilola Yusuf     RTEAN     Amos Bajeh     Azeez Salawu     Flights To Ilorin     Abiodun Jacob Ajiboye     3MTT     Oloye     Lanre Badmas     Emir Of Shonga     Lanre Issa Onilu     Nigerian Army     Valsolar     Kola Adesina     Cornelius Adebayo     Ajike People Support Centre     Funmilayo Zubair     Fatimah Abdulkadir     Eruku     Alfa Yahaya Road     George Funsho Adebayo     Oba Of Jebba     Kaosarah Adeyi     Yahaya Oloriegbe     Issa Baba     Taiwo Joseph     C2c@kwarastate.gov.ng     Musa Yeketi     IESA