Growing Season: Senator Saliu Mustapha Distributes Fertilizers, Water Pumps To Constituents In Ilorin, Chronicles His Achievements In One Year

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Production Services and Rural Development, Senator Saliu Mustapha, on Saturday flagged off the distribution of 3,500 bags of   fertilizers (50kg) to smallholder farmers in the four local governments in Kwara Central Senatorial District noting that this was done to improve agriculture and attain food security in the senatorial district.

The event was held at the open field of the  Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Ilorin,

 Giving his speech during the event  that was themed ‘Empowering Kwara Central Farmers: Unlocking self- sufficiency in food production’  Senator Mustapha, who represents Kwara Central in the  senate, noted that  the initiative aims to support the farmers ,enhance  and improve crop yields.

‘The impact of climate change and overcultivation of farmland has negatively affected the quality of the soil for farming and this has resulted in lower yields.

It is important to emphasize that I personally purchased the 3,500 bags of fertilizers distributed today to empower our farmers and improve crop yields’  he said.

The Senator , who added that about 1,000 water pumps  have also been made available for onward distribution to the farmers ,  noted that the programme was designed to empower farmers in the  Kwara Central Senatorial District in order   to minimize the challenges faced  in  agricultural  production and allow them to  ‘fully’  see the reward of the growing season.

He added that the distribution of such a significant quantity of fertilizers was a substantial investment in the agricultural sector which has shown his commitment to enhancing food security and supporting the farmers to improve crop yields.

 While noting that 3,500 bags of fertilizers and  1,000  water pumps have been made available to farmers in the first phase of the programme,  he also disclosed that  farmers in his senatorial district will be provided with pesticides and fertilizers in the phase 2 of the programme  that will be held in a few months’ time.

Mustapha, who is the Turaki of Ilorin, also submitted that the beneficiaries are real and genuine farmers who were recommended by the farmer organizations.  

‘We took our time to choose the genuine farmers so that those who really need the items  will get it’ he said.

. The senator however urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the items  while disclosing that  necessary measures have been taken to get feedback.

While disclosing plans to make more fertilizers and spray machines available to farmers in the senatorial district, he also said steps have been taken in respect of Cassava processing machines .

The Senator, who is also the Vice Chairman Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory Area Council, also used the opportunity to chronicle  his achievements as the representative of Kwara Central in the senate  in the last one year .

He listed these to include  the reconstruction of one kilometer asphalt road opposite Al-Hikmah University leading to Oke-Foma link road in Ilorin West Local Government which  he facilitated to his senatorial district, construction of solar boreholes and installation of  streetlights in  the four local governments in  the senatorial district.

This, he noted, was done to complement the state government’s effort in ensuring that the people of the state have access to safe water.

‘For  the sake of factual accuracy ,  solar boreholes were provided  at Ile Onifitila, Kankatu, Okelele Road, Ilorin East LGA, Jato Community Ifesowapo, behind Taoheed Central Mosque in Ilorin South LGA, Itamerin Junction, Opposite Alhaja Oil in Ilorin West LGA,  Aloba Close, Oke Ikoyi, Oke Oyi in Ilorin East LGA, Agbeyangi town in Ilorin East LGA, while  Solar streetlights were installed at Computer Village Challenge Area, Ilorin; and Muslim Cemetery, Oko-Olowo, among other areas and Over thirty (30) communities across the four (4) Local Governments in the Kwara Central Senatorial District.

We also facilitated  the construction and furnishing of a block of two classrooms with office and store as well as solar streetlights at Government Day Junior Secondary School, Karuma, Ilorin East LGA, Fate/Basin Junior Secondary School, Ilorin South LGA, Local Government Junior Secondary School Odore, Ilorin West LGA ‘ the senator added.

Also speaking, the National President of Ilorin Emirate Descendant Progressive Union, (IEDPU) Alhaji Abdulmumin AbdulMalik, described the distribution of  the fertilizers and agricultural equipment as apt and timely cognizant of  the existence of  the  growing season while noting that Senator Saliu Mustapha had been empowering his constituents and the people of Kwara state before becoming a senator.

‘I’m excited, elated. I’m very happy because they say, in, Yoruba, ‘ti ounje bati kuro ninu ise, ise buse’, meaning that once you can feed yourself, all other problems are minimal. If a person cannot feed himself or feed his family, then there is a big problem.

 So, with this gesture of goodwill  from the senator which we appreciate so much, if we can take very good advantage of it, if our farmers, the beneficiaries can take good advantage of it, definitely it will increase  food production in the emirate  in particular, since he’s representing Kwara Central. So, it will increase food production and it will ensure that we have food security in the emirate and by extension the state as a whole. I’m really excited’ he later submitted in an interview with Team@orientactualmags.com. 

‘Yes, like I said earlier, he’s been involved in poverty alleviation programme, even before he became a senator. We discovered that most of the times when they are giving items to people  like generators,  grinding machines, motorcycles  the buyers are waiting by the side. And as soon as they are given, they sell them. But this one, this time around they are not going to be sold. If you listen to him when he was talking or even the chairman of the distribution committee,  they said they got the beneficiaries  through various farmers organizations in order  to reach the grassroots, which means they have done the needful .

We will also  appeal to our people. Our own is only to appeal, they have discovered that if they are not monitored it will not produce desired results. They are now going through various farmers organizations and I think that’s a better way to do it’  Alhaji Abdulmumin AbdulMalik also submitted when asked  to comment on the issue of some beneficiaries failing to make good use of the items they have gotten

 Chairman of the Fertilisers Distribution Committee, Hon. Hammed Ayodele Adebayo noted that  the support given to genuine farmers across the four local governments in  the Kwara Central senatorial district through the provision of fertilizers by Senator Saliu  Mustapha will help to improve crop yields.

‘Indeed, no society can truly develop without giving sincere attention to agriculture. Most of the developed nations today have their roots deeply embedded in agriculture. Recognizing this reality, our distinguished Senator Saliu Mustapha prioritizes agriculture to ensure that our local farmers are able to get incentives and farm implements freely as a way to support them towards ensuring food security and bumper harvest. 

 Senator Saliu Mustapha is renowned for his unwavering commitment to philanthropy, a commitment that began long before his involvement in politics . His deep understanding of his community’s needs and challenges, coupled with his comprehensive knowledge of its geographical, ecological, and economic dynamics, enables him to effectively address various issues within his constituency. His proactive and empathetic approach ensures that he is well-equipped to implement solutions​’ he said 

Hon. Hammed Ayodele Adebayo  added that farmers from the agrarian communities in Ilorin West, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, and Asa local governments are the beneficiaries of the phase one of the programme .

‘The beneficiaries were selected from various agriculture-related groups and individuals. farmers were chosen from different farmer organizations  like AFAN and Abike-Loko.  members of traditional, religious, and political groups, confirmed to be farmers, were also chosen to benefit from the scheme’ he added..

Dignitaries at the event include  Alhaji LAK Jimoh,  Barrister Kunle  Sulaiman, Balogun Ajikobi, Alhaji Isiaka Yusuf,   Balogun Gambari , Alhaji Aliyu Adebayo, Baba Isale of Ilorin, Alhaji Abdulahi Sidiq,   Balogun Alanamu, Dr Abubakar Uthman Jos,  Magaji Are , Alhaji Shehu Gafar , Prof Halimah Yusuf ,Prof Binta  and Hon Aboki-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you