Ahead of the 2027 poll, a new leadership development initiative, COLE2Lead, has been launched to groom a new generation of ethical, competent, and service-driven leaders across Rivers State ahead of the 2027 political cycle.

The programme, unveiled by The COLE’ctive 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.

COLE2Lead will operate across the state’s 23 Local Government Areas, with a target of engaging 31,900 emerging leaders drawn from communities, professional groups, youth networks, and civic platforms.

Organisers say 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.”

According to the organisers, 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 undergo workshops, mentoring sessions, and practical engagement designed to strengthen ethical decision-making and public-service orientation.

A programme representative explained that COLE2Lead seeks to demystify governance by equipping participants with practical tools to understand policy processes and lead with credibility at various levels of public life.

Governance stakeholders have welcomed the initiative, noting that leadership accelerators focused on ethics and competence are essential for restoring public trust and ensuring sustainable political renewal.

The launch of COLE2Lead reinforces The COLE’ctive Initiative’s broader commitment to building inclusive systems where leadership development is intentional, community-driven, and grounded in real civic engagement.