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.

Share     Imam Gambari     Ado Bayero     Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu     07039448763     Ahmed Ayinla Jimoh     Mohammed Yisa     Doyin Agbamu     The Herald     Ahman Pategi     Christopher Odetunde     PAACO-PCL Consortium     Onilupeju Of Ilupeju     Sabi     Col. Taiwo     NYSC     Elesie Of Esie     Ahmed Mohammed Rifun     Abdulrahman Abdullahi Kayode     Okiki     Nigeria Governors\' Forum     Ahmad Belgore     Abdulrasheed Akogun     Oba Abdulrahim     Mohammed Yahaya Barki     Council Of The Wise     Ilorin Descendants Progressive Union     Code Of Conduct Tribunal     Ethical College     Onilorin Of Ilorin     Tunde Akanbi     Kwara State University Of Education     Okin Group     Yusuf Olaolu Ali     V.O. Abioye     Sherif Shagaya     Okin Biscuits     All Peoples Party     COEASU     IF-K     Christian Association Of Nigeria     Adesoye College     Sheu Ndanusa Usman     Dapo Teni Nig Enterprise     Mohammed Ajia Ibrahim     Maigidasanma     Logun     Lotus Bank     Tunji Arosanyin     Fatima Abolore Jimoh     Hakeem Idris     Umar Saro     Saadu Yusuf     Salake     Balogun Ajikobi     Kwara Consultative Forum     Doyin Group     Shonga Farm Project     Split Diamond Interchange     Abdullahi Adisa Akodudu     Joshua Adeyemi Adimula     Funmilayo Isiaka Oniwa     SUBEB     AbdulRauf Keji     Oniwa     Adedeji Onimago     Emir Of Yashikira     KWASEIC     SSUCOEN     Bamidele Adegoke Oladimeji     Omu-aran     Dasuki Belgore     Salman Alada     Sheikh Ridhwanullah El-ilory     Clara Nwachukwu     Shehu Adaramaja     Tosho Yaqub    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Durbar     Taofeek Sanusi     Moses Afolayan     Ahmed Mohammed Rifun     Kaiama     Nnazua     CELF     Omotosho     Yusuf Abdulwahab     Oro Grammar School Old Students Association     Mary Kemi Adeosun     SWAN     ASKOMP     Mopelola Abdulmaliq-Bashir     Garba Idris Ajia     Idiagbon     TVC Female National Debate     Pacify Labs     Justina Oha     Olayinka Oladapo Jogunola     Akom Construction And Engineering Synergy Ltd     Adebayo Salami     Kwara Teaching Service Commission     Adamu Attah     Mashood Abdulrafiu Agboola     Emmanuel Bello     IYA YUSUF     Budo Egba     Kwara Politics     Hausa     Shao     Saidu Kawu     Rueben Parejo     Abdullahi AbdulMajeed     Sardauna Of Ilorin     KSIRS     Students Union Government     Joseph Yemi Ajayi     Amule Elementary School     Rihanat Ajia     Raimi Iyanda     Neo Mundo Ltd     International Vocational Centre     Okanlawon Musa     Rachael Obisesan     Kwarareports     Government House     Bolaji Nagode     Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency     Saka Keji     Fatima Abolore Jimoh     SUBEB     Basit Olatunji     Hassanat Bello     General Hospital, Offa     Ganmo Electricity Sub-Station     Alliance For Democracy     Niyi Osundare     Olayinka Jelili Yusuf     Joseph Daudu     Kola Adesina     Kemi Adeosun     Abdulsalam Firdaous Amosa     Oba Abdulrahim     Mumini Ishola Hanafi     Victor Gbenga Yusuf     Olabode George Towoju     Muhammadu Buhari     Razaq Ayobami Akanbi     Abdulmajeed Wahab     Isiaka Gold     Ridwan Agboola     Suraj Tunji Oyewale     Isiaq Khadeejah     Razak Atunwa     SSA Youth     Offorjama