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.

Abdullahi Atanda     Muhammed Aliyu     Igosun     Bello Oyebanji     NIRSAL     Durosinlohun Kawu     Tunde Idiagbon Road     Kubra Kazum     Habeeb Abdullahi Al-Ilory     Yusuf Mubarak     Ahmed     Manzuma     Baba Issa     Danhawa     Oba Abdulkadir La\'aro     Abdulrahman Abdulrazak     Babatunde Idiagbon     Diagnostic Centre     Senior Ibrahim Suleiman     Salman Jawondo     Olomu Of Omu-Aran     Bolakale Ayo     T And K FOODS     Abdulrahman Iliasu     Rotimi Samuel Olujide     CELF     Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory     Ashiru     Tunji Ajanaku     Otuka     JSSCE     New Naira Notes     Abdulrasheed Na\'Allah     Haruna Olawale Sulaiman     Olaiya Victor Mobolaji     Abubakar Abdulraheem     Islamic Development Bank     YAKOOYO     Olayinka Olaogun     Yusuf A. Usman     Yusuf Ali     Zara Umar     Baba Idris     Radio Kwara     08001000100     Binta Sulyman     Oko-Olowo     Afonja     Wahab Egbewole     Oluwatoyin Lukman     Abdulmutalib Shittu     Funmilayo Braithwaite     Oluwole Dupe     Idowu Laro     Abdulkarim Adisa     Yusuf Lanre Badmas     Aminat Omodara     FOMWAN     Suleiman Ajadi     Emir Of Ilorin     Ahmad Belgore     Olota Of Odo-Owa     Mustapha Olanipekun     Mahee Abdulkadir     Government Girls’ Day Secondary School Pakata     Sobi Hill     Police Commissioner     Bashirat Bola Bello     Joana Nnazua Kolo     Aishatu Ahmed Gobir     Aliyu Alhassan     Bola Tinubu     Umar Sanda Yusuf     KWACOBPA     Ghali Muhammed     Bello Taoheed Abubakar     Musa Aibinu    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Afolabi-Oshatimehin     MINILS     Prince Bola Ajibola     Ibrahim Orire     Benin Republic     Idowu Aremu     Bolaji Aladie     Rebecca Olanrewaju     Orisa Bridge     Ahmed Alhasssan     Yakubu Danladi     Suleiman Alege Kuranga     Ajeigbe     Memunat Monsuma     Akande Idowu Ayoola Muhammed     Otoge     Sheu Ndanusa Usman     Amule     Read With Me     Muhammed Abdullahi     Katibi Ibraheem Adeola     Maigida     Kehinde Baale     Dauda Adesola     Idofin     Femi Agbaje     Christopher Tunji Ayeni     Modupe Oluwole     Razak Atunwa     AbdulRaheem Ahmad Shayi     Olayinka Are     Budo-Egba     Vasolar Consultoria     Amuda Musbau     Kwara Consultative Forum     Ilorin Likeminds Foundation     Public Holiday     Haruna Tambiri Mohammed     Adebara     Local Government Pension Board     CLAY POT     Saliu Mustapha     Presidential Election     Owo Arugbo     Amada Jidda     Otunba Taiwo Joseph     Senior Ibrahim Suleiman     Taofeek Ibraheem     Oju Ekun Sarumi     KWACOBPA     Plat Technologies     Onilupeju Of Ilupeju     Abdulfatah Ahmed     Mohammed Abdulahi     Abdulrazaq Solihudeen     Dairo Kunle Paul     Rice Farmers Association Of Nigeria     Muhammadu Buhari     Yahaya Seriki Gambari     Tunde Saad     C2c@kwarastate.gov.ng     Ilesha-Gwanara     Shuaib Olarongbe     Taofik Abdulkareem     Bayo Ajia     Government Girls’ Day Secondary School Pakata     Sobi Hill     Aminu Ado Bayero     Kwasu     Isaac Gbenle     NURTW     Fulani     Edu     Sheikh Ridhwanullah El-ilory     IF-K     Student Learning Support Helpline     Binta Abubakar-Mora