The State Leader of the City Boy Movement [CBM] in Kogi State and immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello, on Thursday received the Director of the movement in the state, Hon. Ogah Mark Okpanachi, at his Abuja residence for a closed-door meeting. Also present was the Special Adviser on Youth and Student Affairs, Oladele John Nihi, who accompanied the Director.
The meeting provided an opportunity for discussions on youth participation, organizational growth, and the continued advancement of initiatives aimed at strengthening engagement among young people across Kogi State. Although details of the deliberations were not disclosed, the atmosphere reflected a shared commitment to sustaining platforms that encourage youth inclusion, leadership development, and constructive civic participation.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Hon. Ogah Mark Okpanachi described the engagement as fruitful and forward-looking, expressing appreciation to the former Governor for the warm reception and valuable guidance. He noted that the discussions offered useful direction for the movement’s next phase of activities and revealed that preparations were already underway for a number of programmes and engagements that would be unveiled in the coming weeks. The Director also commended Hon. Oladele John Nihi for his consistent dedication to youth development and his active role in fostering opportunities for young people across the state.
The meeting is the latest indication of the deepening political alignment between Bello and Ogah under the City Boy Movement banner. Bello, who governed Kogi from 2016 to 2024 and built his brand around “youth inclusion,” retained strong influence in Kogi APC structures after leaving office in January 2024 and was named State Leader of CBM in Kogi, making him the de facto political godfather for the party pro-Tinubu youth platform in the state. His Abuja base has since become a rallying point for CBM coordination.
Ogah, who emerged as a prominent youth mobilizer within the APC, was appointed Director of CBM in Kogi State to expand the movement’s grassroots structure. Recently, his political trajectory has been closely linked to Bello’s camp, and the Abuja engagement signals continued loyalty and coordination, with Ogah framing Bello as providing “guidance” for CBM’s “next phase.”
The City Boy Movement became a major youth mobilization platform within the APC after 2022, drawing its name from the “City Boy” tag associated with President Bola Tinubu. In Kogi, Bello’s leadership and Ogah’s directorship have positioned the movement as the main vehicle for youth engagement, leadership training, and civic participation under the Tinubu/APC banner.
