From community policing to youth programs, see how our safety plan supports real change without leaving anyone behind.
Every Edo citizen deserves to live in a community that is safe, supportive, and full of opportunity. Safer neighborhoods mean stronger families, thriving businesses, and a future where everyone can live without fear.
Community-Led Safety Initiatives
For science, music, sport, etc, Europe uses the same vocabulary. The languages only differ in their grammar, their pronunciation and their most common words.
Everyone realizes why a new common language would be desirable: one could refuse to pay expensive translators. To achieve this, it would be necessary to have uniform grammar, pronunciation and more common words. Their separate existence is a myth.
Investing in Youth and Prevention Programs
The future of Edo State depends on the strength, creativity, and resilience of our young people. Yet too often, youth face barriers that push them away from opportunity—unemployment, lack of mentorship, crime, and substance abuse. Without intervention, too many dreams are lost before they begin.
Our Commitment
We believe prevention is more powerful than punishment. By investing in young people today, we prevent crime, reduce insecurity, and build stronger communities tomorrow.
Our Plan
Youth Employment & Training – Expand skill acquisition centres, entrepreneurship programs, and job opportunities to give young people a real path forward.
Education & Mentorship – Partner with schools, NGOs, and community leaders to mentor, inspire, and guide students toward success.
Sports & Arts Programs – Build and support recreational centres, tournaments, and creative hubs to channel youth energy into positive development.
Substance Abuse Prevention – Establish awareness campaigns and treatment programs to combat rising drug use.
Youth Leadership – Create platforms for young people to participate in decision-making and policy development at every level.
Our Vision
To empower Edo youth with the tools, opportunities, and confidence they need to lead meaningful lives, contribute to society, and shape a brighter future.
 We Will Do:
Responsible Policing – Promote community-based policing that builds trust, accountability, and cooperation between citizens and law enforcement.
Crime Prevention – Tackle the root causes of crime through youth empowerment, job creation, and access to education.
Emergency Preparedness – Strengthen fire services, ambulances, and disaster response systems to protect lives and property.
Community Programs – Support neighborhood watch groups, local associations, and civic initiatives that unite citizens in caring for one another.
Safer Roads & Public Spaces – Improve street lighting, road safety, and infrastructure to reduce accidents and enhance security.
Justice & Rehabilitation – Ensure fairness in the justice system while creating pathways for rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders.
Improving Trust Between Police and Residents
Safety is built on trust. For Edo State to have truly secure and peaceful communities, citizens must see the police not as an opposing force, but as partners in protection. Unfortunately, years of poor training, inadequate resources, and instances of abuse have weakened confidence in law enforcement. Rebuilding trust is essential for achieving justice and promoting community progress.
Our Commitment
We are committed to transforming policing into a service that is accountable, transparent, and rooted in respect for human rights. The police should be guardians of safety, not sources of fear.
Our Plan
Community Policing – Deploy officers trained to work within neighborhoods, engage with residents, and understand local concerns.
Accountability & Oversight – Strengthen independent mechanisms to investigate misconduct and ensure officers are held responsible for their actions.
Training & Professionalism – Invest in modern training on conflict resolution, human rights, and community relations.
Collaboration with Citizens – Establish forums where residents and police meet regularly to build dialogue, trust, and cooperation.
Youth Engagement – Prevent crime by involving young people in neighborhood safety programs and offering alternatives to violence.
Transparency – Use data and public reporting to keep citizens informed about policing practices and outcomes.
Our Vision
To create a safer Edo where police and citizens stand together, built on trust, respect, and a shared commitment to protecting every community.
Expanding Mental Health and Crisis Response Services
Mental health is just as important as physical health; yet, in Edo State, it is often overlooked, underfunded, and stigmatised. Too many families struggle in silence, too many crises go unaddressed, and too many lives are lost because help comes too late. The absence of strong mental health services places pressure on hospitals, communities, and even the justice system.
What’s at Stake
Without reform, untreated mental health issues will continue to fuel poverty, crime, substance abuse, and family breakdown. A society that ignores mental health cannot truly thrive.
Our Commitment
The Gubernatorial Aspirants Forum (GAF) is committed to building a compassionate and modern health system where mental health is prioritised, treated, and respected. We will work to end the stigma, expand access to care, and establish crisis response systems that save lives.
Our Plan
Expand Access to Care – Establish more community-based mental health clinics and integrate services into existing hospitals.
Emergency Response – Create crisis hotlines and rapid response teams to handle mental health emergencies with compassion and professionalism.
Train Health Workers – Equip doctors, nurses, and community health workers with skills to diagnose and treat mental health conditions.
Youth & Schools Programs – Introduce mental health awareness, counselling, and prevention programs in schools and youth centres.
Substance Abuse Treatment – Strengthen rehabilitation centres and support programs for those battling addiction.
Public Awareness – Launch campaigns to reduce stigma and educate families about mental health care and early intervention.
Our Vision
To create an Edo State where no one suffers in silence, where mental health is treated with dignity, and where crisis response services save lives and restore hope.
By investing in prevention, increasing accountability, and strengthening partnerships, this plan aims to create vibrant, inclusive, and secure communities for all.
Enhancing Lighting, Housing, and Public Spaces
A thriving Edo State must be safe, livable, and welcoming for all. Neighbourhoods without proper lighting remain vulnerable to crime—families without adequate housing face daily insecurity. Public spaces left neglected lose their value as centres of community life. The quality of our environment reflects the quality of our governance.
What’s at Stake
Without action, unsafe streets, poor housing, and decaying public areas will continue to harm families, discourage investment, and erode community trust. At stake is the dignity of our people and the strength of our neighbourhoods.
Our Commitment
The Gubernatorial Aspirants Forum (GAF) is committed to transforming Edo’s communities into safe, modern, and vibrant places where people can live, work, and thrive. We believe that well-lit streets, affordable housing, and functional public spaces are not luxuries—they are necessities for dignity and progress.
Our Plan
Lighting & Security – Install and maintain solar-powered streetlights in neighbourhoods, markets, and rural communities to improve safety and support local commerce.
Affordable Housing – Partner with private developers and cooperatives to expand affordable housing while upgrading slums and informal settlements.
Revitalised Public Spaces – Renovate parks, playgrounds, and community centres to promote recreation, culture, and social life.
Sustainable Design – Incorporate green spaces, proper drainage, and eco-friendly solutions to make communities healthier and climate-resilient.
Inclusive Development – Ensure housing and public infrastructure projects serve all citizens, including low-income families and persons with disabilities.
Our Vision
To build safer, stronger, and more inclusive neighbourhoods across Edo State—where every family has a home, every street has light, and every community has spaces to connect, grow, and thrive.
Comments
adamgordon
Thanks for this great post!
miaqueen
Thanks for sharing 🙂