By Julius Agadaga, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Doyle Diri has inaugurated the state, senatorial and the local government coordinators of the City Boy Movement as well as unveiled its Secretariat.
Speaking during the event, Governor Diri expressed appreciation for the group’s mobilization efforts in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Represented by the Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Chief Collins Cocodia, Governor Diri congratulated the movement for what he described as the “massive job” it is doing for the state.
“The Governor has asked me to greet you. The City Boy Movement has come to stay and the Governor is pleased with the level of support you are galvanizing for the APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Cocodia stated. “This support will never be taken for granted. It is well appreciated by the Governor.”
He noted that the movement now has structures across all wards, units, local government areas, constituencies, senatorial districts, and at the state level.
He urged members to intensify grassroots engagement by adopting a one-on-one approach to recruitment.
“Talk to one person, let that person talk to another person, and before you know it, the entire state would want to join the movement,” he advised.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, pledged to support the City Boy Movement with logistics and youth empowerment programmes to ensure its core mandate reaches all parts of Bayelsa State.
Lokpobiri commended men, women and youths for their commitment to the movement and to the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and urged Bayelsans to ensure the President secures 95 percent of the votes in the state.
The minister stated that before his appointment, Nigeria’s crude oil production was less than 1 million barrels per day, with the 13 percent derivation fund generating limited revenue for oil-producing states.
“Upon assumption of office, the country now produces 1.85 million barrels per day, which translates to an 85 percent increase in production. This has led to higher derivation funds and more revenue to the state,” Lokpobiri said.
He added that sustained support for President Tinubu would help consolidate the gains recorded in the oil sector and ensure Bayelsa continues to benefit from improved federal allocations.
Lokpobiri reaffirmed his commitment to providing logistics and empowering youths through the City Boy Movement as part of grassroots mobilization efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In his remarks, the Director General of the City Boy Movement, Shoga Oluwantosi said the movement is formed to give youths a voice and position them for leadership and encouraged the youths to join the movement.
Oluwantosi stated the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has embarked on reforms that have repositioned the country and transformed lives of citizens and enjoined the youths to continue to support the policies of the government.
Earlier, the state Director of City Boy Movement, Hon. Blamkson Osomkime reaffirmed its commitment to propagate the development strides of Mr President and lauded Governor Douye Diri and the Minister of State for Petroleum! Resources (Oil) for their support.
