President Bola Tinubu’s Senior Special Assiatant (SSA) on Community Engagement has begun a three-day visit to Kwara State, hosting a citizens’ assembly and high-level security meetings to bolster grassroots engagement and local peacebuilding.
Abiodun Essiet who is SSA on community engagement for the North Central region arrived in the State capital Ilorin on Wednesday to bridge federal policies with local priorities.
Dr. Esseit in a statement said her trip emphasises citizen input on social inclusion, aid distribution, conflict resolution and rebuilding trust in government.
NewsQuest reports that at the heart of the visit is a physical citizens’ assembly, gathering diverse stakeholders for structured feedback on national programmes.
Separate security consultations aim to sharpen community ties with law enforcement, enhance early warning systems and foster safer conditions for development.
Dr. Essiet’s first day included meetings with the State Director of the State Security Service, Adekemi Ojo, and the Kwara Police Commissioner.
According to the presidential aide, discussions also covered the local security landscape, community-level intelligence sharing and joint strategies for proactive peace efforts.
She said the talks briefed agencies on the assembly’s scope while aligning outreach with state security operations.
Further engagements will involve traditional rulers and host communities, adopting what aides call a “feedback-driven” governance model.
The Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central) was established in 2023 to serve as a bridge between the Federal Government and grassroots communities in Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau States, and the FCT.
It coordinates with traditional leaders, youth, women and civil society on dialogue, peacebuilding and policy feedback, especially in security and welfare.
