By Atoyebi Nike
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to curb insecurity and promote development across Nigeria’s regions through enhanced community engagement, officials said on Monday in Abuja.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North-Central), Dr. Abiodun Essiet, briefed State House correspondents alongside counterparts from the North-West, South-East, and South-West zones. She identified historical mistrust, land-grabbing, banditry, and illegal mining as major triggers of violence in the North-Central region.
Essiet disclosed that community peace structures have been established in 121 local government areas, including 32 in Niger, 21 in Kogi, and 23 in Benue States. Deployment across all 17 LGAs of Plateau State is set to commence this week. The structures will involve traditional rulers, farmers’ associations, Fulani communities, youth, and women’s groups to foster dialogue, conflict resolution, and social reconciliation.
“The President has promised to strengthen peace structures and ensure our communities are safe,” Essiet said, adding that ministries and agencies have been directed to rehabilitate critical road infrastructure in affected areas.
In the North-West, Dr. Abdullahi Tanko-Yakasai highlighted interventions to reduce out-of-school children, providing them with school materials and enrolling them in primary schools. While noting improved agricultural output, he said access to fertilizer remains a challenge, with federal intervention promised.
Southeast representative Chioma Nweze announced the launch of a Citizens’ Assembly to deepen public engagement. She added that federal road projects and renewed ministerial presence are restoring confidence, while Monday sit-at-home directives are losing traction. Support for youth skills acquisition and agricultural programmes has been pledged across the region’s 95 LGAs.
In the Southwest, Moremi Ojudu said President Tinubu emphasized nationwide enrollment in the National Identification Number (NIN) system to strengthen identity management. Her team will scale up grassroots sensitization to promote the Renewed Hope Agenda and peacebuilding.
Representatives for the South-South and North-East zones were absent due to official engagements.
The Presidential Community Engagement Team was established to enhance grassroots mobilization and provide real-time feedback to the Presidency on policy implementation and citizen response.
