The leadership and members of the Ethiope West Local Government Area Chapter of the City Boy Movement (CBM) have formally unveiled the Chairman of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), John Obukowho Nani, as their leader during a courtesy visit to his country home in Idjerhe Kingdom on Sunday, March 23, 2026.
The symbolic decoration and unveiling were conducted by the Chapter Director, Festus Oseni, alongside the Chapter Coordinator, Owen Nero, and other executives of the local government chapter, in what participants described as a strategic move to strengthen grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Accepting the leadership role, Olorogun Nani expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in him, describing the gesture as both an honour and a responsibility.
He assured members of his readiness to provide moral, strategic and financial support to advance the objectives of the Movement across Delta State.
“I am deeply humbled by this show of solidarity and trust. Leadership, to me, is not about titles but about service and sacrifice. I will work closely with you to ensure that the ideals of unity, development and political inclusiveness that the City Boy Movement stands for are realised,” he said.
He further emphasised the importance of sustained grassroots engagement and organisational discipline, noting that political success requires consistency and coordination.
“We must remain focused and united. Our strength lies in our ability to mobilise at the community level, to engage youths and women, and to build structures that will stand the test of time. Together, we will consolidate support for progressive leadership at both the state and national levels,” Nani added.
The DESOPADEC chairman also reiterated the Movement’s collective commitment to mobilising support for the reelection bids of President Bola Tinubu and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in 2027, stressing that continuity in governance would help sustain ongoing development initiatives.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chapter Director, Oseni, explained that the decision to identify Nani as the chapter’s leader followed a review of his political journey and longstanding engagement with youth development.
“We have so many leaders, but this movement is for the youth. We have leaders who are youth-friendly, and when we went through your records and antecedents, from your days as youth president, to the House of Assembly, as Commissioner, and now as Chairman of DESOPADEC, we saw that you have consistently carried young people along,” he said.
He added that with the City Boy Movement establishing a firm presence in Ethiope West, it became necessary to align with a leader whose experience and grassroots connection resonate with the aspirations of young people.
“Now that the City Boy Movement has come to Ethiope West Local Government Area to stay, we must identify with an original leader who understands our vision. That is why we have come to pledge our allegiance to you to lead us forward. We want you to draw from your wealth of experience and knowledge to push the City Boys in Ethiope West to greater heights,” Oseni stated.
The event was further strengthened by the presence of the Finance Director of CBM Delta Central, Evidence Igere, who represented the CBM Director, Delta Central, Hope Ayomide Ejiro.
Their participation, members noted, reflected growing unity and coordination within the Movement’s regional structure.
