Tag: SENATOR

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Saliu Mustapha has called for the introduction of compulsory hands-on agricultural studies at the secondary school level.

Mustapha made the call at a public lecture organized by the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Ilorin on Thursday.

According to a statement from his media office, Senator Mustapha, who was represented by Prof. Binta Sulyman of the Kwara State University, Malete, emphasized the need to move agriculture beyond mere rhetoric and policy pronouncements, arguing that practical agricultural education from an early age would prepare future generations to see farming as a viable profession and not just a subsistence activity.

“We need to get serious about agriculture if we are to feed our growing population and reduce our over-reliance on imports,” he said. “Making agriculture a compulsory and practical subject in secondary schools is a critical step in that direction.”

Mustapha lamented the declining interest in agriculture among young Nigerians, attributing it to an outdated perception of farming as labour-intensive and unrewarding.

He argued that if students were exposed to the modern, technology-driven aspects of agriculture—such as mechanized farming, agribusiness, and sustainable practices—it could spark renewed interest in the sector.

“Countries like Israel and India have demonstrated how a strong emphasis on agricultural education can turn around their food production capabilities. Nigeria must follow suit by ensuring that every child learns not only the theory of farming but the practical aspects as well,” he said.

The Senator also stressed that compulsory agricultural studies would help Nigeria address rising unemployment rates, as it would equip young people with skills to venture into farming, agribusiness, and related industries. He added that an agrarian-focused educational curriculum could produce a generation of problem-solvers who can contribute meaningfully to reducing the nation’s food import bill.

“Beyond feeding ourselves, we must see agriculture as a business. Agriculture should not just be about producing food for the table, but it should be viewed as a business model that can generate wealth for millions of Nigerians,” he added.

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The Senator further called on stakeholders in education, agriculture, and policymaking to collaborate closely in ensuring the implementation of these ideas. He lauded the Federal Ministry of Education for its curriculum revision efforts, describing it as a step in the right direction but cautioned that policy must translate into real-world action.

“There has been enough talk. What we need now are concrete actions, and that includes making sure that schools are equipped with the necessary facilities—farms, greenhouses, and modern farming tools—to make this hands-on agriculture education a reality,” he said.

The call comes at a time when Nigeria faces multiple challenges in the agricultural sector, including aging farmers, poor access to modern farming technologies, and underutilized arable land. Experts argue that without significant policy shifts, the country’s goal of achieving food security will remain elusive.

Senator Wasiu Sanni-Eshilokun (Lagos Central) has empowered constituents with tools to enhance their livelihood and cushion effects of the hardship.

Items distributed were 100 grinding machines; 100 sewing machines; 70 (3.5KVA) generators; 50 deep freezers; five tricycles, 4,000 school bags and three buses for monarchs.

The lawmaker promised the people more dividends were coming as that was the pact he made with them during electioneering campaign.

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He said: “This programme is a fulfilment of part of my campaign promises to make life easier for you and keeping with the tradition I inherited from my predecessor, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

“It is with that mindset I am propelled to address your needs through distribution of food items and other palliatives, as well as providing more interventions to support artisans and petty traders to uplift your businesses, and increase your earning capacity.

“Beneficiaries were shortlisted n all 13 councils – artisans, market men and women, , Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, non-indigenes, as well as pupils…’’

Condemnation has trailed Deputy Minority Senate Leader, Olalere Oyewumi’s confession that he used his personal money for vote buying purposes during the 2023 General Election.

Oyewumi made the confession  in a viral video sighted by The Nation yesterday.

The lawmaker in the video explained how he sent his aide on errand on the eve of the election with his personal money for vote buying but was rejected by strong supporters of the All Progressives Congress(APC).

The Minority Leader, who is representing Osun West District, while receiving defectors into PDP, said “I tried all the tricks I knew to win at Onilu House (Ile Onilu) polling unit but these people didn’t allow me.

“After exhausting money for the election, I gave my personal money to Ten-Ten to give to people at night to buy votes on the eve of the election, Ten-Ten came back with my money, saying the people rejected it. I was surprised. 

“That was why I reached out to these people  because I cannot be a Senator and continue to fail there. I was the one who called Ayandosu from Abuja to join me in the PDP. I told him he has talent and that the party he was serving then (APC) would not allow him to grow.”

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The leadership of APC through its chairman, Tajudeen Lawal in a statement noted that the confession of the PDP Senator has vindicated them that Osun State guber election was not free and fair, urging security operatives to commence his prosecution.

He said, “The confessional statement of Senator Oyewumi was a confirmation of the fact that the last series of the elections in the state which secured victory for all the PDP candidates including Governor Ademola Adeleke, were brazenly rigged.

“The self-confession of Senator Oyewumi was an indication that he is a desperate politician who could go to any length to illegally corner opportunities regardless of what such portends to the right-thinking members of the society.

“In a civilized clime, Senator Oyewumi has no iota of reason to remain a minute longer in the Senate where he has been the Minority Leader based on his self-confession that he engaged in vote-buying during the election that secured a fraudulent victory for him.”

“By now, Senator Oyewumi should be a guest of the statutory law enforcement agency constitutionally saddled with the responsibility of investigating such political crime involving a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Nigerian have hailed Prince FM, Ibadan, Oyo State, on its first anniversary and widows’ empowerment.

Lawmaker representing Oyo South, Sen. Sarafa Alli; Maye Olubadan, Chief Lekan Alabi; veteran broadcaster, Kola Olotu and Alhaji Gboyega Lawal, were all excited by the feat.

Others are Komolafe Olaiya, Dr. Bade Ojuade, Akinboade Ologbojo, Feranmi Babalola, Kehinde Aberuagba, and Samuel Gbesabi of Fresh FM.

Alli lauded Prince FM’s Chair, Dr. Babatunde Balogun, for empowering widows despite the economic challenges.

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Backing the empowerment, Alli promised to help the poor.

Alabi hailed Balogun and called on other media personalities to use the platform for awareness.

He hailed his workers for their professionalism.

 noting that he was divinely empowered to assist the less privileged, especially widows.