Wale Kuku unveils The Transform Ogun East Agenda, Signs Citizens’ Charter

 

JDPC TOWNHALL

Honourable Wale Kuku with the Labour Party State Secretary, Mr Tosin Ogunbanwo and JDPC representative signing The People’s Contract.

Wale Kuku unveils The Transform Ogun East Agenda, Signs Citizens’ Charter

Labour Party candidate outlines plans for local businesses, agriculture, international trade, skills development, education, electricity and security.

By Infocity Media

IJEBU-ODE, OGUN STATE — It was a day of strong expectations and frank conversations as the Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Ijebu-Ode, convened a town hall meeting with senatorial candidates in Ogun East on Thursday, October 15, 2026.

The gathering brought together traditional leaders, labour representatives, artisans, women, youths, farmers and other community stakeholders to discuss the district’s future and present their expectations ahead of the 2027 elections.

The meeting was organised to give citizens an opportunity to question candidates, examine their proposals and secure commitments through the 2027 Citizens’ Charter of Demand, a social contract between the people and political candidates.

Absence of Candidates Draws Criticism

The tone of the meeting changed when speakers expressed displeasure at the absence of other senatorial candidates. Several participants stressed that a town hall is an opportunity for candidates to meet the people, listen to their concerns and explain how they intend to address them.

They acknowledged Hon. Wale Kuku, the Labour Party candidate, for attending, describing his presence as a demonstration of respect for the people and willingness to engage directly with them.

Kuku presented his development agenda, built around three priorities: economic opportunities, 21st-century education and better communities.

He mentioned that for him, uplifting the family and ensuring they live a decent, comfortable and happy life, is his ultimate goal.

He said representation should be judged by the positive, measurable difference it makes in people’s lives—not merely by the number of laws written or speeches delivered.

A Localization Law to Put Ogun East Businesses First

One of Kuku’s key proposals was a localization law designed to increase the participation of indigenous businesses in the economic opportunities created by major projects across Ogun East.

He said he would pursue a legal and implementation framework that gives qualified local businesses a fair opportunity—and, where legally permissible, a defined first opportunity to compete—for contracts, supply arrangements and services arising from projects in the district.

The objective is to ensure that more project spending circulates within Ogun East, expanding markets and opportunities for local contractors, suppliers, transport operators, artisans and small businesses.

Kuku said the proposal would complement his broader plans to expand economic opportunities across the district. He linked it to the need to create a stronger environment in which local businesses can access contracts, grow their operations, employ more people and participate meaningfully in Ogun East’s development.

He also referenced New Generation’s existing work supporting businesses through grants, productive tools, mentorship, training and business development. Initiatives such as Ìpele Tókan for artisans and Ìyániwúrà for market women of which over 2000 have benefited from cash grants and equipment support reflects the same emphasis on practical economic empowerment.

“What we have done so far is an insight into what we plan to do. The major difference is that it would be on a far larger scale,” he said.

Taking Ijebu to the World

Kuku argued that it was time for Ogun East to increase its production capacity in agriculture, processing, the agribusiness value chain, finished goods and exports.

The district, he said, should build the capacity to produce, aggregate, process, package, distribute and market goods to Lagos, other Nigerian markets and international buyers.

He highlighted Ijebu’s commercial heritage and proximity to Lagos, alongside opportunities associated with the Lekki seaports and Gateway International Cargo Airport.

His vision is to position Ogun East as a stronger centre for agricultural production and exports, agro-processing, retail, commerce and trading, skills export and tourism.

He proposed an Ijebu Trade Centre and Digital Hub in Ijebu-Ode to support buying, selling, market access and business connections.

The aim is to help local producers and traders reach larger markets, connect with suppliers and strengthen their position in the trading business across Nigeria, while retaining more economic value within the district.

Agriculture: From Farms to Processing and Exports

Kuku highlighted Didako Idan, which he said had supported smallholder farmers across more than 2,000 acres through land preparation, agricultural inputs and produce-purchasing arrangements.

He also cited Modern Farmer, including more than 500 acres of cassava cultivation at Cassava City and associated processing activities.

He proposed expanding agricultural production and developing a major agro-processing zone at Odosapo. The facility would be designed to bring farmers to processors, storage, logistics, distribution and buyers all in one expansive agro processing city.

The broader objective is to build agricultural businesses that can supply Lagos and other Nigerian markets while developing the capacity to serve international buyers. This would create opportunities for farmers, processors, exporters, transport operators, young people and other businesses across the value chain.

Skills, Education, Electricity and Security

On youth development, Kuku discussed TecHandwork and other skills programmes, including training in mobile-phone repairs, shoemaking, livestock farming and small-scale food processing.

He proposed three integrated skills-training campuses, serving Ijebu North, Ijebu Central and Remo, combining digital technology with practical vocational and artisanal training.

For education, he outlined a STEM competition and the expansion of his Transform a School initiative, with digital learning tools, teacher training and improved school facilities among the priorities amongst several initiatives including the school bus program.

He also presented proposals for more reliable electricity and stronger community security, describing both as essential foundations for businesses to operate, industries to grow, schools to function effectively and families to live with greater confidence.

Unlocking Federal Interventions for Ogun East

Kuku said Ogun East could benefit far more from existing federal programmes if residents and businesses received better information, application support and, critically, someone to actively drive the process—engaging the relevant ministries and agencies and ensuring the district receives its fair share of available opportunities.

He referenced initiatives including the Nigerian Startup Act, agricultural financing programmes and iDICE.

Kuku said that federal interventions and programmes alone could potentially unlock well over ₦200 billion in investments, financing and capital inflows for Ogun East, if the district systematically identified relevant opportunities, prepared eligible applicants and pursued them effectively.

His message was that Ogun East should not lose opportunities simply because businesses and residents lack information, preparation or effective institutional representation.

Citizens’ Charter Signed

A major highlight was the signing of the 2027 Citizens’ Charter of Demand by Kuku and the JDPC director on behalf of the participating citizens.

The charter records the expectations of community groups and provides a reference point for examining the commitments made by candidates. Many of its themes—including economic opportunities, education, jobs and community development—also featured in Kuku’s Transform Ogun East agenda.

The meeting included beneficiaries of New Generation programmes and other community participants.

Desola, who identified herself as a member of a farmers’ group, said the proposals addressed practical concerns facing farmers. Attendee Adetunji Balogun acknowledged Kuku’s role in the lives of young people and described him as the most practical and people-oriented among the senatorial candidates, citing the initiatives he had implemented.

“Ogun East Must Be Great!”

Kuku said Ogun East could build a stronger future by combining Ijebu and Remo’s commercial strengths, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit with effective leadership, practical programmes and collective action.

His vision connects local business participation, agriculture, processing, trade, international markets, skills, education, electricity and security into a broader economic development agenda.

He said the programmes would be funded by actively pursuing relevant federal interventions, financing opportunities and by strong collaboration with state, Local Governments and lawmakers . He also pledged to partner with foundations and multilateral agencies, while relying heavily on the support of Ijebus in the diaspora to fund several initiatives, including programmes for blossoming entrepreneurs.

The proposed partnerships would help expand access to capital, technical support, training, equipment and market opportunities for young people, farmers, artisans, small businesses and emerging entrepreneurs across Ogun East.

The JDPC town hall placed citizens’ expectations at the centre of the discussion. With the Citizens’ Charter signed, the commitments made by candidates can be examined against the priorities expressed by the people.

Kuku concluded with a call to build on the district’s strengths and create a future in which Ijebu and Remo prosper together.

“We can make Ijebu great. We can make Remo great. Ogun East must be great!”

For more information on Hon. Wale Kuku’s manifesto and development proposals, visit walekukuforsenate.ng or WhatsApp 09074225618.