The COLE’ctive Initiative has unveiled COLE2Lead to groom a new generation of ethical, competent, and service-driven leaders across Rivers State ahead of the 2027 political cycle.
The initiative is designed as a policy and leadership accelerator aimed at closing the gap between political ambition and effective governance through structured civic education and policy literacy. Organisers said the programme seeks to prepare emerging leaders with the knowledge and tools required to function effectively in public office and civic spaces.
COLE2Lead will operate across the state’s 23 Local Government Areas, targeting 31,900 emerging leaders drawn from communities, professional groups, youth networks, and civic platforms. According to the organisers, the initiative is intentionally inclusive, extending leadership opportunities beyond individuals with traditional access to political power.
Inspired by the leadership philosophy of Tonye Patrick Cole, the programme redefines leadership as a discipline rooted in service, ethics, and public accountability. “Leadership should never be accidental,” Cole said. “COLE2Lead is about preparing people to lead with clarity, competence, and a deep sense of responsibility to the public.”
The organisers disclosed that the programme will establish 23 virtual learning hubs and deliver governance and policy training across 319 wards in Rivers State. Participants, including members of civic movements such as FREE2RUN Rivers, will take part in workshops, mentoring sessions, and practical engagements designed to strengthen ethical decision-making and public-service orientation.
A programme representative explained that COLE2Lead aims to demystify governance by equipping participants with practical tools to understand policy processes and lead with credibility at different levels of public life. Governance stakeholders have welcomed the initiative, describing leadership accelerators focused on ethics and competence as essential for restoring public trust and ensuring sustainable political renewal across the state.
