There is an adage which says early to bed early to rise and this Isoko nation of Delta state South-South Nigeria gathered on Saturday, 8, December, 2012 at the Regency Hall, MKO Abiola Gardens Hill, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, to demonstrate and to take their rightful place in the polity of Delta state and Nigeria in general come in 2015 and beyond.
The epoch making interactive session was with Isoko people in government and Isoko people in general and packaged by the Isoko Advancement Network (IAN), an Isoko socio/political pressure group.
At the event the Isoko nation both home and in Diaspora agreed to speak with one voice to achieve a common purpose for the growth and development of the area not minding political affiliations.
Isoko people are an ethno linguistic group that inhibits the Isoko region of Delta State of Nigeria. One of the confronting challenges in Isoko nation is political bickering; Pull Him Down syndrome, the ability to sustained good leadership and followership within the region which has plunged the region into thin darkness of retrogression.
However, the epoch making interaction which witnessed several thought provoking speeches on the need to champion a common cause with one indivisible voice.
Setting the ball rolling was the chairman of the occasion and a respected Isoko political leader, Chief Sergeant Uredi warned against political bickering among the Isoko people adding that Isoko people are a part of a political arrangement and for them to succeed in the arrangement, there was need to work towards a collective aspiration for them in order to have a viable and respected leadership.
He advised the people to be tolerant always with their leaders and give purposeful advice to them.
According to Uredi “I have had a long standing association with many members of the Isoko Advancement Network (IAN) as a matter of fact; many of its members, including its chairman, Hon. Mike Ogwah and other key members are like sons and daughters to me. In the past, several pressure groups have emerged for the purpose of lifting us, Isoko people, but for one reasons or the other, the anticipated results were never achieved. So, when I was approached to chair this occasion, my first concern was whether this was going to be another exercise in futility. However, upon review of the membership of this group, its objectives, and the passion to achieve these objectives, I am convinced that there is indeed true hope. I therefore, once again welcome this opportunity to be here today, with a group which I believe every Isoko person, whether from the North or South should embrace wholeheartedly.”
While appealing to everyone to take the Isoko project as their personal project, the chairman of the occasion charged all and sundry to contribute their quotas both individually and as a group stressing that “We must keep our eyes on the price and never lose focus from our ultimate goal. As we start to interact, we must be frank, sincere and be guided by the simple principle of a better and united Isoko. I want us to ask ourselves some questions such as How do we view ourselves as Isoko people, How do others see us as Isoko people, Do they see us as a divided people”
As a people, Uredi said Isoko must be organised properly and always speak with one voice, as their actions within any political arrangement must always be driven by the benefits contained therein to Isoko and its people and must have a viable and respected leadership. “We have simply not mastered the act of pulling our resources together to form the type of synergies required to make us great and to become the envy of others.”
On his part, the Secretary to Delta State Government, Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay who was the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion called on the Isoko people to be united, speak with one voice and collectively work towards the overall development of the Isoko Nation.
Macaulay, patron of IAN who used the occasion to respond to issues raised by representatives of various communities and provided useful information on the activities of the Uduaghan administration in the state, advised the Isoko people to direct their attention to the overall interest of the area and not on him, the SSG.
“Do not route for fanciful positions, but positions that have the greatest utility to us as a nation. Isoko people cannot get all at once, but I can assure you, we have our own fair share of the dividends of democracy, if not more. However Isoko will not be left out in the scheme of things as far as growth and development is concern in Delta state.” he said.
According to the SSG, an Isoko son, the Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration has done credibly well in the areas of infrastructures and appointments in Isoko land and therefore appealed for unflinching support to the Uduaghan’s government.
“The Uduaghan’s government meant well for the people of Isoko nation but despite all the effort of government, some Isoko leaders have continued to frustrate the genuine effort by frustrating and making unnecessary and greedy demands from contractors executing projects in the area.”
The SSG who also ruled out the marginalisation of any of the several ethnic nationalities that make up particularly charged the people of Isoko nation to disabuse their minds about marginalisation and form a formidable front to work for the progress of the area as well the state. “No ethnic group has been marginalised in Delta State and I am assuring you that the state government will do everything possible to ensure that no part of the state is cheated. So, I will rather advise Isoko people to shun the pull-him-down syndrome and come together to work for the progress of Isoko nation and Delta State.”
He described the forum organised by the IAN as a unique one and stressed the need for all tiers of government to ensure constant dialogue between the leaders and the led.
“Governments should avoid distancing themselves from the people, so that the masses can have a sense of belonging and key into developmental programmes that are meant to impact positively on the society,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of IAN, Hon. Mike Ogwah, had explained that the purpose of the ‘interactive session’ was to create room for all Isoko sons and daughters to air their views on issues bordering on their political situation and positions in order to speed up the development of the Isoko Nation.
Ogwah stated that the IAN seized the opportunity of the 52nd birthday of its patron, Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay, to create the forum for a broad interaction with Isoko people, describing the body as a melting pot of all Isoko sons and daughters that have excelled in their various ventures.
The group national chairman averred that the event is aimed at promoting, building a stronger Isoko nation, maintaining an enviable position in the state and national affairs within the context of unity and a sense of common purpose as well as agitating for the up-liftment of Isoko land and the people.
Ogwah stressed the need for Isokos to come together and speak with one indivisible voice and take their place in the politics of the state and the nation. “We believe in mutual interest, therefore, the progress and growth of every Isoko man is paramount to us.”
With the large history of peace which Isoko nation have sustained without rancour, yet the federal or state government do not recognized the present of Isoko nation in terms of political and economic leadership.
This an Isoko son at the event who never wanted his name mentioned in the media said all Isoko sons and daughters must learn their culture and language in order to be indoctrinated into formidable leadership of Isoko nation. “Isoko nation have over 100 oil wells and second region to discover oil and gas after Oloibiri in Bayelsa in 1957. It contributes 35 percent of crude oil to the Nigerian economy yet Isoko people are politically relegated to the background. Come to think of Delta politics, Isoko people always play second fiddle and interested in collecting money from politicians and sell their mandates to other region for fear of being intimidated. How long Isoko man or woman will sit on the fence in Delta politics would rather want political appointments and nothing else.”
Present at the occasion were the SSG and his wife, Mrs. Stella Ovuozourie Macaulay, High Chief U.B.T. Egbuwoku, a former member of the House of Representatives, High Chief S.A. Uredi, Chief Enifoghale Ofor, Chief Hon Benjamin Efekodo, Rt.Hon. Emma Okoro, pioneer speaker, Delta state house of Assembly, Chief Mrs. Ovuonyen, members of Isoko Advancement Network, top Isoko political sons and daughters among other leaders.
For those who don’t know much about Isoko, it is a known fact that the Isokos are a unique and delightful people, a district ethnic group made of nineteen (19) clans with a total of about 2.1 million people.
Isoko occupies a space of land in South East of Delta State of Nigeria; bounded by Kwale to the North, Urhobos to the West, Ndokwa Osimili/Aboh to the East; and Ijaws to the South while the Delta Igbos and Itsekeris are not left out. The Isokos are a peaceful people as there are no records or history of conflicts or wars between them and their neighbors in the past.
The major occupation of Isoko people are farming, trading, fishing and teaching. They thirst for education and they are directly progressing in these areas of specialization. It is of record that today Isokos can be found in most of the sensitive professions in Nigeria like Lawyers, Accountants, Economists, Engineers, Doctors, Estate Surveyors, Journalists and general business contractors.
