Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Office of the Special Adviser to the Delta State Governor on Community Development, Amb. Dr. Toyin Orighomisan Agbolayah, is set to convene a one-day strategic seminar for political appointees, with a focus on grassroots engagement, community mobilisation, trust-building and democratic participation.

The seminar, themed “Mobilizing Communities, Building Trust: The Role of Political Appointees in Advancing Development, Grassroots Engagement and Democratic Participation,” will hold at Hotel Benizia, Asaba, from 10:00 a.m.

The programme is designed to provide political appointees with practical insights into strengthening the relationship between government, political structures and communities, while promoting effective communication, feedback and citizen participation.

The choice of resource persons reflects the broad range of issues expected to be addressed at the seminar. The Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prince Johnson Erijo; Delta State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Solomon Arenyeka; and Director-General of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Esq., are expected to bring perspectives on governance, political organisation, communication and grassroots mobilisation.

Emu is expected to examine the governance and policy dimensions of grassroots engagement, particularly the responsibility of political appointees to understand government priorities and effectively communicate with citizens at the community level.

Erijo, drawing from his experience in political and administrative coordination, is expected to speak on leadership, organisation and the role of political appointees in strengthening structures that connect government with communities across the state.

Arenyeka will provide a political-party perspective, with discussions expected to focus on grassroots organisation, party-community relations and democratic participation, particularly as political structures prepare for the 2027 electoral cycle.

Oghenesivbe, whose responsibilities include public orientation and government communication, is expected to highlight the importance of clear, responsible and consistent communication in building public understanding and strengthening the relationship between government and citizens.

The seminar is expected to promote a more coordinated approach to grassroots engagement by encouraging political appointees to maintain regular contact with their communities, strengthen feedback mechanisms and facilitate wider participation in governance.

It will also provide an avenue for participants to exchange ideas and examine practical strategies for ensuring that the administration’s engagement with the people remains direct, responsive and sustained ahead of the 2027 general elections.