For more than 300 women in Jesse Town, Saturday, October 17, 2026, birthday celebration of Mrs Maureen Nani turned into an unexpected moment of joy as what began as a gathering to honour the wife of the chairman of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Olorogun John Obukowho Nani, ended with beneficiaries receiving cash gifts and wrappers to take home.
The gesture added a touch of generosity to the celebration, transforming a personal milestone into an occasion of sharing and community fellowship.
The birthday, held at Jesse, the administrative headquarters of Idjerhe Kingdom in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, drew women’s groups, political associates, friends, and other dignitaries.
Speaking during an interview at the event, Mrs Nani expressed gratitude to God for granting her another year of life, describing the opportunity to witness another 365 days as a blessing.
“I feel very happy. Thank God for keeping me. You know, it’s not easy to see another 365 days,” she said.
She explained that she had been involved in charitable activities for decades but usually carried them out without drawing public attention.
Mrs Nani said the birthday celebration was particularly special because she chose to spend the occasion with women in her husband’s hometown and encourage them to identify with the Delta State Government’s MORE Agenda.
“I said this year I’m going to come over here to celebrate with our women so that when they go out there, they will also key into the MORE Agenda,” she said.
She also acknowledged the political dimension of the gathering, linking the empowerment gesture to support for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“As you are empowering them, you’re also spreading the message to vote for APC,” she stated.
One of the guests, Hon. Blessing Akamughe, National Coordinator of the Aghwemutuwevwi Political Forum, described the outreach as a welcome gesture that left beneficiaries pleasantly surprised.
Akamughe said many of the women had attended the event to celebrate with Mrs Nani but were delighted to receive cash and wrappers before returning home.
“We all saw the joy and happiness on the faces of the women today because they never expected it. They were here just to celebrate with her, and they ended up going home with cash and wrappers,” she said.
He also highlighted the practical value of the wrappers, noting that they could be worn beyond a single social occasion.
“As you can see in the wrapper, it is not a political party wrapper; it is a wrapper that you can use anywhere,” Akamughe said, describing the gesture as an empowerment initiative rather than an activity limited to party politics.
According to him, Mrs Nani had supported people through similar gestures over time, adding that the birthday outreach was not new to those familiar with her activities.
Akamughe congratulated Mrs Nani and wished her long life, prosperity, good health and continued strength to support others.
The distribution of wrappers and cash gifts was the major highlight of the celebration, which also featured entertainment and refreshments.
The event attracted several groups, including the Aghwemutuwevwi Political Family, Idjerhe Women in Politics, Atiwor Women in Politics, Dogi Women in Politics, Classic Ladies for John Nani and the Ibori Suenu Grassroots Network, Mosogar Branch, led by Chief Wilson Odafe Omene.
Among the dignitaries present were Chief Mrs Bright Afure Abeke, wife of the Chairman of Sapele Local Government Council, and Mrs Ogodo Moses, wife of the Delta State Commissioner for Environment.
Other guests included Chief Super Abonoko Benson; Ambassador Sagboje Odiri Milton of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Delta State; Comrade Monday Odaka, a DESOPADEC director; Hon. Johnson Okpoh; Hon. Kingsley Ejairu; Hon. Blessing Akamughe, JP; Chief Atenaga Samson; Mrs Betty Tuoyor; Hon. Esah Isaac; Evidence Igere; and Inomi Steve Ufuomavefe.
As the celebration drew to a close, the cash gifts and wrappers had become more than birthday souvenirs; they represented a gesture of support that brought smiles to beneficiaries and gave the gathering a wider community significance. Yet, beyond the festivities, Mrs Nani’s call for support for the MORE Agenda and the APC also underscored the political dimension of the occasion, where philanthropy, community engagement and political mobilisation converged.
