Dr. Essiet Begins Citizen-Focused Engagement in Kwara State

Dr. Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement for North Central Nigeria, has arrived in Kwara State to kick off a three-day series of community engagement activities aimed at fostering social inclusion, participatory governance, and enhanced security collaboration.

During her visit, Dr. Essiet convened a physical session of the Citizens’ Assembly, meeting with local stakeholders including traditional rulers, security agencies, and host communities to discuss local priorities, gather citizen feedback, and identify pathways for inclusive governance. The engagements are intended to ensure that community voices inform policy implementation and service delivery across the state.

Security is a core focus of the initiative, with discussions targeting the strengthening of community-security partnerships, improving early warning mechanisms, and promoting safer environments conducive to sustainable development. Dr. Essiet emphasized the importance of proactive engagement with grassroots communities as a key component of maintaining peace and stability.

READ ALSO: Ray Amodi Leaves Nollywood to Chase Music Career

On the first day of the program, Dr. Essiet paid strategic visits to the State Security Service and the office of the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekemi Ojo. The purpose of these visits was to formally brief security agencies on the ongoing community engagement activities and strengthen coordination between her office and law enforcement institutions.

During the discussions, Dr. Essiet and security officials assessed the current security situation in Kwara State, explored opportunities for community-based intelligence sharing, and identified collaborative strategies to sustain peace and prevent conflict. Officials highlighted the role of local stakeholders in promoting trust, enhancing vigilance, and supporting early interventions to avert potential threats.

The three-day engagement is expected to include further visits to host communities, dialogue sessions with local leaders, and interactive workshops with citizens to capture perspectives on governance, development priorities, and public safety.

By combining community feedback with coordinated security efforts, Dr. Essiet’s program aims to strengthen the relationship between government institutions and residents, ensuring that policy interventions are responsive, inclusive, and supportive of sustainable development in Kwara State.