The Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, played host to officials of the Kogi State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (KOSOPADEC) who stormed its Warri headquarters on a fact-finding tour aimed at understudying its operations.
Welcoming the delegation, DESOPADEC Board Chairman, Chief John Obukowho Nani, said the visit was yet another confirmation of the Commission’s rising profile across oil-producing states. Nani recalled that the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) had earlier made a similar trip, adding that DESOPADEC’s performance has continued to attract national attention.
According to him, the Kogi delegation came on the directive of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, who insisted that the newly established KOSOPADEC must learn from DESOPADEC’s governance structure and service-delivery strategy.
“You are all welcome. His Excellency asked you to come because DESOPADEC has become a model. We are trustees of the oil-producing areas, and everything we do is guided by approval limits and full accountability to the Governor,” Nani stated.
He explained that DESOPADEC allocates projects based on the quantum of production from the six ethnic nationalities—Itsekiri, Ijaw, Urhobo, Isoko, Ndokwa and Ika—and runs a bottom-up budgeting process driven by town-hall consultations. He further broke down the Commission’s structure, likening it to the NDDC model, with a clear decision-making chain from departmental heads to the Board, as well as legislative oversight from relevant House Committees.
Managing Director/CEO, Chief Festus Ochonogor, lauded the Kogi team for choosing DESOPADEC as its reference point, stressing that the Commission’s growth has made it a cynosure for other states. He urged management staff to sustain the momentum and opened the floor for technical exchange between both commissions.
Speaking earlier, KOSOPADEC Chairman, Suleiman Ndarayi Abdulahi, said the team, established barely four months ago, was mandated by Governor Ododo to draw from DESOPADEC’s experience.
“We have seen that DESOPADEC is performing well, and we aim to replicate this success in Kogi State,” he said.
After the board session, the visitors broke into groups for technical briefings led by DESOPADEC’s Executive Director of Projects, Olorogun Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu, and Executive Director of Social Services, Chief Favour Izuokomor, who outlined workflow processes in their directorates.
The visit climaxed with the presentation of DESOPADEC magazines and a compendium to the Kogi delegation, who in turn performed their traditional kolanut presentation before both teams offered prayers.
Present at the meeting were top officials of both commissions, including Omoni Jackson James, Managing Director, KOSOPADEC; Suleiman Hameed, Board Secretary; Engr. Usman Nda Mohammed, Executive Director (Social Services); Hon. Olori Deji Michael, Executive Director (Finance); Engr. Isah Yakubu Jetto, Executive Director (Projects); Rt. Hon. Prince M.O. Kolawole, Executive Director (Administration); Hon. Amafa Felix Eleojo JP, Commissioner Rep; Eniolonunde Samuel, DFA; and DESOPADEC officials including Mrs. Cordelia Anyagwu (Ika Rep), Hon. Sonny Ofe (Itsekiri Rep), and heads of departments.
