DESOPADEC Hosts KOSOPADEC Delegation in Warri, Showcases Operational Model and Development Framework

The Board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, hosted a high-powered delegation from the Kogi State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (KOSOPADEC) during a fact-finding visit to its headquarters in Warri.

Welcoming the delegation, DESOPADEC Board Chairman, Chief John Obukowho Nani, described the visit as a testament to the Commission’s expanding influence and operational success. He noted that DESOPADEC had become a model for other states, recalling earlier visits from Ondo State’s OSOPADEC.

Chief Nani expressed appreciation to Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, for directing KOSOPADEC to understudy DESOPADEC’s processes with the aim of improving service delivery to oil-producing communities in Kogi State.

“Here in DESOPADEC, we are trustees of the oil-producing areas. Everything we do has an approval structure, and we represent the Governor’s interests by ensuring transparent and accountable operations,” he said.

The Chairman explained that DESOPADEC’s interventions are guided by production quantum across the six oil-producing ethnic nationalities—Itsekiri, Ijaw, Urhobo, Isoko, Ndokwa, and Ika. He emphasized that the Commission adopts a bottom-up budgeting system, sourcing projects from town-hall engagements and ranking them according to available resources.

DESOPADEC Officials

He also outlined the Commission’s governance structure, patterned after the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), detailing its decision-making hierarchy from departmental heads to Executive Directors, the Managing Director, and final approval by the Board. Oversight bodies such as the Delta State House Committee on DESOPADEC and the Appropriations Committee were also highlighted.

Managing Director/CEO of DESOPADEC, Chief Festus Ochonogor, thanked the visitors and noted that DESOPADEC’s evolution into a benchmark institution demonstrates the dedication of its workforce. He encouraged the delegation to interface closely with the Commission’s directorates for further engagements.

Responding, KOSOPADEC Chairman, Suleiman Ndarayi Abdulahi, expressed gratitude for the “open-door knowledge exchange,” stating that the newly created KOSOPADEC—established on August 1, 2025—aims to adopt DESOPADEC’s successful operational model.

KOSOPADEC Delegation in Warri

“We have seen that DESOPADEC is performing well. Our goal is to replicate that success for the people of Kogi State,” he said.

The delegation was later divided into groups for technical sessions with DESOPADEC Executive Directors and Heads of Departments. Executive Director of Projects, Olorogun Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu, and Executive Director of Social Services, Chief Favour Izuokomor, led discussions on project implementation, monitoring, social services, and community engagement.

A highlight of the visit was the exchange of gifts, including DESOPADEC magazines and a compendium presented by the Board Chairman, followed by KOSOPADEC’s traditional presentation of kolanuts and joint prayers.

Top officials from both commissions attended, including Managing Director of KOSOPADEC, Omoni Jackson James; Board Secretary, Suleiman Hameed; Executive Directors Engr. Usman Nda Mohammed, Hon. Olori Deji Michael, Engr. Isah Yakubu Jetto, and Rt. Hon. Prince M.O. Kolawole; as well as DESOPADEC representatives Mrs. Cordelia Anyagwu, Hon. Sonny Ofe, and departmental heads.