PORT HARCOURT – A new initiative, COLE2Lead, has been launched to cultivate a generation of ethical and service-driven leaders across Rivers State. Announced by The COLE’ctive Initiative, this policy and leadership accelerator is designed to bridge the gap between ambition and effective governance by focusing on policy literacy and civic responsibility.
COLE2Lead will operate across all 23 Local Government Areas, aiming to engage over 31,900 emerging leaders. The programme seeks to democratise leadership, ensuring opportunities are accessible to committed individuals from communities, professional sectors, and youth networks, not just those with proximity to power.
Inspired by the vision of Mr. Tonye Patrick Cole, the initiative reframes leadership as a discipline of service. “Leadership should never be accidental,” Mr. Cole stated. “COLE2Lead is about preparing people to lead with clarity, competence, and a deep sense of responsibility to the public.”
The programme’s structure includes establishing 23 virtual learning hubs and delivering governance training across 319 wards. Participants, drawn from civic platforms like FREE2RUN Rivers, will engage in workshops and mentorship to strengthen ethical decision-making and public service mindsets.
“COLE2Lead demystifies governance,” explained a programme representative. “It equips leaders with the tools to understand policy and lead with credibility.
”By embedding leadership development within real civic engagement, COLE2Lead aims to build a sustainable pipeline of competent leaders. Governance stakeholders have welcomed the focus on ethics, noting that such accelerators are crucial for long-term public trust. The initiative reinforces The COLE’ctive’s commitment to building inclusive systems that ensure leadership renewal is intentional and grounded in community realities.
