By: Our correspondent 

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

IJEBU-ODE, OGUN STATE — Labour Party senatorial candidate for Ogun East, Hon. Wale Kuku, has unveiled an extensive development agenda focused on economic empowerment, agricultural transformation, education, skills development, electricity and community security at a town hall meeting organised by the Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Ijebu-Ode.

The meeting, held on Thursday, October 15, 2026, brought together traditional leaders, labour representatives, artisans, women, youths, farmers and other community stakeholders to discuss the future of Ogun East ahead of the 2027 elections.

The engagement was organised to provide citizens with an opportunity to question senatorial candidates, examine their proposals and secure commitments through the 2027 Citizens’ Charter of Demand, a social contract intended to hold political candidates accountable to the people.

Kuku’s participation drew attention following expressions of disappointment from attendees over the absence of other senatorial candidates. Some participants stressed that town hall meetings provide an important opportunity for candidates to engage directly with constituents and explain their plans for addressing the district’s challenges.

During his presentation, Kuku outlined a development vision built around three broad priorities: expanding economic opportunities, delivering 21st-century education and building better communities.

He said his ultimate goal was to improve the living conditions of families across Ogun East, stressing that political representation should be measured by its tangible impact on people’s lives rather than solely by legislative activities or public speeches.

Localisation Law to Prioritise Ogun East Businesses

A major highlight of Kuku’s presentation was his proposal for a localisation law aimed at increasing the participation of indigenous businesses in economic opportunities generated by major projects across Ogun East.

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

According to him, the initiative would help ensure that a greater proportion of project spending circulates within the local economy, creating opportunities for contractors, suppliers, transport operators, artisans and small-business owners.

Kuku linked the proposal to his broader economic empowerment agenda, which seeks to help local enterprises access contracts, expand operations, create jobs and participate more meaningfully in the district’s development.

He also referenced the existing work of New Generation in supporting businesses through grants, productive equipment, mentorship, training and business development programmes.

Initiatives such as Ìpele Tókan, designed for artisans, and Ìyániwúrà, targeted at market women, were cited as examples of practical economic interventions. Kuku said more than 2,000 beneficiaries had received cash grants and equipment support through the initiatives.

“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.

Kuku Proposes Ijebu Trade Centre and Digital Hub

Outlining his vision for expanding Ogun East’s commercial reach, Kuku called for increased production, processing, packaging and export capacity across the district.

He said Ogun East could leverage its commercial heritage, entrepreneurial strengths and proximity to Lagos to develop stronger connections with domestic and international markets.

He also highlighted opportunities associated with the Lekki seaports and Gateway International Cargo Airport, arguing that the district should strengthen its capacity to produce goods, process raw materials and connect local businesses with larger markets.

His proposed economic strategy seeks to position Ogun East as a stronger centre for agricultural production, agro-processing, commerce, retail, exports, skills export and tourism.

A key component is the proposed establishment of an Ijebu Trade Centre and Digital Hub in Ijebu-Ode.

The facility, he explained, would support buying and selling, improve market access and facilitate business connections among local producers, traders, suppliers and buyers across Nigeria and beyond.

The initiative is intended to help local businesses expand their customer base, improve competitiveness and retain more economic value within the district.

Agriculture: From Production to Processing and Exports

Agricultural transformation featured prominently in Kuku’s development proposals, with an emphasis on connecting farmers to processing facilities, storage, logistics, distribution networks and markets.

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

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

Building on these initiatives, Kuku proposed expanding agricultural production and establishing a major agro-processing zone at Odosapo.

The proposed facility would integrate agricultural production with processing, storage, transportation, distribution and market access, creating a coordinated value chain for farmers and agribusiness operators.

He said the broader objective was to develop agricultural enterprises capable of supplying Lagos and other Nigerian markets while building the capacity to serve international buyers.

The initiative, if implemented, could create opportunities for farmers, processors, exporters, transport operators, young people and other businesses connected to the agricultural value chain.

Three Skills Campuses, Expanded Education Initiatives

On youth development, Kuku outlined plans to expand vocational and technical training through TecHandwork and related skills programmes.

He cited training opportunities in mobile-phone repairs, shoemaking, livestock farming and small-scale food processing as examples of practical skills that could help young people establish businesses and access employment opportunities.

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

In education, Kuku pledged to pursue initiatives focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), alongside an expansion of his Transform a School initiative.

His proposals include digital learning tools, teacher training, improved school facilities and a school bus programme, among other interventions aimed at improving educational access and learning outcomes.

He also identified electricity and community security as essential components of economic development.

According to him, more reliable electricity would help businesses reduce operating difficulties, support industrial growth and improve the delivery of essential services, while stronger community security would provide a safer environment for residents, businesses and educational institutions.

Seeks More Than ₦200 Billion in Federal Opportunities

Kuku also called for a more systematic approach to accessing federal government programmes, financing opportunities and development interventions that could benefit Ogun East.

He argued that residents, entrepreneurs and businesses often miss available opportunities because they lack adequate information, application support or effective representation in engagements with relevant ministries, departments and agencies.

He cited the Nigerian Startup Act, agricultural financing programmes and the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme as examples of initiatives that could support businesses and entrepreneurs in the district.

Kuku said federal interventions and programmes could potentially unlock well over ₦200 billion in investments, financing and capital inflows for Ogun East if relevant opportunities were identified, eligible applicants adequately prepared and applications actively pursued.

He stressed the need for sustained engagement with government institutions to ensure that the district benefits from available programmes.

His proposal centres on helping local businesses and residents navigate application processes, meet eligibility requirements and access funding and technical support that could contribute to economic growth.

Kuku, JDPC Director Sign Citizens’ Charter

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

The charter documents the expectations of community groups and provides a reference point for assessing the commitments made by political candidates.

Its themes include economic opportunities, education, employment and community development, areas that also featured prominently in Kuku’s proposed Transform Ogun East agenda.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for beneficiaries of New Generation programmes and other community participants to share their perspectives on the proposals.

Desola, who identified herself as a member of a farmers’ group, said the proposals addressed practical concerns affecting farmers.

Another attendee, Adetunji Balogun, acknowledged Kuku’s involvement in youth-oriented initiatives and described him as practical and people-oriented, citing programmes he said had been implemented.

The charter’s signing marked a formal step in the engagement between citizens and the candidate, although the implementation of the proposals would depend on subsequent policy decisions, available resources and institutional arrangements.

Funding Through Partnerships and Development Programmes

Addressing how the proposed initiatives would be financed, Kuku said he intended to pursue relevant federal interventions, financing opportunities and partnerships with state and local governments, as well as fellow lawmakers.

He also identified foundations, multilateral development agencies and Nigerians of Ijebu and Remo heritage in the diaspora as potential partners in delivering aspects of the development agenda.

According to him, such partnerships could help mobilise capital, technical expertise, training, equipment and market access for farmers, artisans, young people, small businesses and emerging entrepreneurs.

He particularly highlighted the potential role of diaspora partnerships in supporting programmes for aspiring and growing entrepreneurs across Ogun East.

The proposed funding approach would combine efforts to access existing public-sector programmes with collaboration involving development partners and private contributors.

‘Ogun East Must Be Great!’

Kuku concluded by calling for a collective effort to build on the commercial strengths, entrepreneurial spirit and resilience of Ijebu and Remo communities.

He said Ogun East could strengthen its economic position by connecting local businesses with larger markets, expanding agricultural production and processing, investing in education and skills, and improving the infrastructure and security needed to support economic activity.

His proposed agenda brings together local business participation, agriculture, trade, exports, vocational training, education, electricity and community security within a broader framework for economic development.

The JDPC town hall placed citizens’ expectations at the centre of the discussion, providing an opportunity for stakeholders to question candidates and document their priorities ahead of the 2027 elections.

With the Citizens’ Charter signed, the commitments made at the meeting provide a basis for continued civic engagement and public scrutiny as residents assess candidates’ proposals against their expectations.

Kuku ended his presentation with a call for Ijebu and Remo to work together towards a future of shared prosperity and improved living conditions across Ogun East.