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.

Ita-Nmo Market     Muhammed Aliyu     Pius Abioje     Sheikh Ridhwanullah     Ibrahim Issa Jetti     Isiaka AbdulRazaq     Cornelius Adebayo     Bola Tinubu     Ajuloopin     Sanitation Exercise     Osi     Simon Sayomi     PharmAccess Foundation     Ahman Patigi     Ilorin International Airport     National Democratic Congress     Omotoso Musa     Revenue Court     Kunle Okeowo     Abdulrahman Onikijipa     Sarakite     Sidikat Akaje     Radio SBS     Kumbi Titiloye     Salmon Babatunde Salmon     Durosinlohun Atiku     Odolaye Aremu     Oke-Ogun     Muhammed Danjuma     Abdulkadir Jimoh     Nagode     Lanwa     Buhari     Abdulkadir Orire     Olota Of Odo-Owa     Ilorin.Info     Adebayo Salami     Ahmed Bolaji Nagode     Moremi High School     Yoruba     Tafida     Harrison Osauwagboe     Islamic Development Bank     Wahab Agbaje     Saadatu Modibbo-Kawu     Adekunle David Dunmade     Zubair Folorunsho Erubu     Talaka Parapo     Mohammed Abdulahi     Ahman Pategi     Ayo Salami     Abdul Jimoh Mohammed     CELF     Timothy Akangbe     Moses Rahman Popoola     Ibrahim Abdulkadir Abikan     Abdulsalam A. Yusuf     Samari     Kassim Babamale     Ajeigbe     Chief Of Staff     Daud Adeshola     Aminu Adisa Logun     Ramadhan     AGM Professional Services     Afetu Of Alabe     Aishat Sulu-Gambari     Alfa Belgore     Bello Oyedepo     Isin     Odogun Olushola Gabriel     Rebecca Bake     Volunteers Of Ilorin Community And The Emirate     Mahe Abdulkadir     CKNG     Laolu Saraki     Issa Baba    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Ganmo     Nigeria Governors\' Forum     Surajudeen Akanbi     Ahmad Belgore     Okala Baba     NULGE     Adekunle David Dunmade     Ilorin General Hospital     Alagbado     Salihu Ajia     Yekeen Alabi     Ahmed Bolaji Nagode     Moremi High School     Sabitiyu Grillo     Saad Belgore     Ilorin Metro Park     Tricycle Owners Association Of Nigeria     Folaranmi Aro     Orire     Ibrahim Bio     Olabimpe Olani     NAWOJ     Arinola Fatimoh Lawal     Summit University     Chief Imam Of Ilorin     Fatai Adeniyi Garba     Hakeem Lawal     Bilikisu Oniyangi     Salihu Yahaya     Senate     Eleja     Baruba     Awoye     08001000100     Mazars Consulting     Orisun Igbomina     Abdulrahman Iliasu     Usman Alkali Baba     Charcoal     Abdulrazak Shehu Akorede     Pakata Development Association     Saka Onimago     Bashir Adigun     Gbugbu     Vasolar-Kwara Company Ltd     Elerinjare     Student Learning Support Helpline     Tunji Oyawoye     JAMB     Kumbi Titiloye     Adamu Attah     Yusuf Lawal     Onikijipa     Adanla-Irese     Moses Afolayan     Emir Of Yashikira     Wahab Abayawo     Rebecca Olanrewaju     Saidu Isa     Kwasu     Erubu     Jeunkunu-Malete-Bani     Joseph Offorjama     Asa     Yaru     Lateef Ademola Olatunji     Abdulrasaq Alaro     Saadu Yusuf     Tafida     Yusuf Abdulraheem     Ahmad Fatima Bisola     Kwara Consultative Forum     Doyin Agbamu     Muslim Stakeholders Of Kwara State     Yeketi     Tunji Olawuyi     Rashidi Yekini