ISOKO EMANCIPATION: MANY RIVERS TO CROSS OR ISOKO MUST WAKE UP BY ITEVEH EKPOKPOBE We never fail when we try to do our duty, we always fail when we neglect to do it. - Robert Baden-Powell Only recently while wallowing in my self-imposed boredom and relative solitude to better accentuate and appreciate the euphoria that comes with the spirit of the yuletide, the thoughts of Isoko nation came to my mind; which should usually be expected of any rational son and daughter of Isoko- the thoughts of how to better a motherland, patriotism. And also on the platform of the general outcry of Isoko political elites for the political right to clinge the coveted deputy governor seat of the PDP in the state which has resulted in quite a frenzied stir in the Delta state political aqua for those who have been quite conversant with the times. These random thoughts intuitively shot up my intellectual adrenaline thereby catapulting me into a realm of mental adventure of the history of my roots - the Isoko nation- the history I had been able to garner as a Youngman, the ones passed on from antiquity; distorted and embellished either for gains or on the note of ignorance. This history quite blur in my memory pushed me to surf the net in the bid to satisfy this mental hunger and also to truly ascertain the perception of the world of My Isoko nation. I might have been bewilded, but that is left me as I cannot be a judge to all, so made it a point of patriotic duty to let your on my findings which you may find intriguing or may not. Isoko according to WIKIPEDIA (random cohorence) - Isoko people are an ethno linguistic group that inhabits the Isoko region of Delta State, Nigeria. The Isoko land is one of the most densely populated areas in Nigeria, with about 500 people per square kilometer compared with the average of 198 for Delta State and 130 for Nigeria. The consequence has been a shortage of farmland which is accentuated by oil exploration activities in the region. Many of the (estimated) over 475,000 Isoko people migrated to other parts of the country, living in Ughelli, Warri, Sapele, Benin, Ijebu Ode, Ondo, Lagos and Kano just like every other ethnic group in Nigeria and predominately in the rural agricultural land areas of Benin, Ondo and Ijebu-Ode. Also, some 300,000 Isoko people are permanent indigenes of Ndokwa East of Delta State and Sagbama local government area of Bayelsa state. The Isoko ethnic group occupies an area of about 1,200 square kilometers, with a residual population of over 750,000 by 2001 census. Isoko nation has 19 clans with several villages, hamlets and towns while some are located in Ndokwa east, Ndokwa west and Bayelsa State which includes Ada, Aradhe, Araya, Aviara Bethel, Ellu, Emede, Emevor, Enhwe, Erowa, Ibrede, Idheze, Igbide, Igbuku, Irri, Itebiege, Ivori, Ivrogbo, Iyede, Iyede-Ame, Ofagbe, Okpe Isoko, Oleh, Olomoro, Onogboko, Orie, Otor-Owhe, Ovrode, Owhe, Owhelogbo, Otibio, Oyede, Ozoro, Umeh, Uro, Utue, Uzere among others. In the face of this population, Isoko region is divided into only two Local Government Areas, Isoko North (headquartered at Ozoro) and Isoko South (headquartered at Oleh). Food crop production has been declining rapidly recently. This has been largely attributed to soil damage resulting from frequent crude oil spills from pipelines belonging to some of the major oil producing companies (including Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), whose pipeline network transverse the landscape). This has led to large-scale frustrations with Shell Petroleum Development Company, and has resulted in skirmishes and, recently, kidnappings for ransom in some neighboring communities. Isoko land is essentially rural with no urban and semi-urban centers. Isoko land is within the economic shadow of the vibrant industrial, commercial Warri metropolis and the result has been largely of backlash effects, with most of the young men and women in addition to available capital in Isoko land graduating to Warri suburban area. The residual population is mainly involved in agriculture, small-scale commercial and industrial enterprises. Against this background of the petty economic activities, massive unemployment of youths is very high, the quality of life is low and below the standard of living recommended by the United Nations Development Organization and poverty is rife in Isoko land. From all indications Isoko nation have been relegated to the background in terms of Delta State leadership and Nigeria which many refer to as “Neglected marginalization” while others agitated for sustainable development in the land. The Major post-primary educational institutions in the region include Notre Dame College, Ozoro; James Welch Grammar School, Emevor; Saint Josephs Teachers College, Ozoro; Saint Michaels College Oleh; Bribina Grammar School, Ozoro, Ofagbe Technical College, Ofagbe. Post-secondary schools include a campus of the Delta State University at Oleh and a Polytechnic at Ozoro. Isoko region provides 28 percent of crude oil and gas to the Nigerian economy yet no visible infrastructural developments are sited except a countable few. No Isoko man has emerged as governor or deputy governor of Delta State since its creation and only has just two local governments in the state and as the third largest ethnic group. How long will Isoko nation play second fiddle in Delta State politics and yes sir format. It has been observed and agreed the world over that “there is no genetically superiority of one culture over the other, making every culture distinct from each other while language is the vehicle of a people that conveys the peoples culture transcribing the individual identity.” The individual identity here is Isoko which must be promoted and projected to the outside world. This required a collective effort of all Isoko people. - Isoko Mirror, 0ct. 9, 2014. I hereby appeal to the IDU leadership to live up to expectation by reviving the Isoko language, culture and polity because earlier duo are gradually facing extinction while the latter is losing relevance. Please permit me to leave you with this quote, “If your life is like a tragedy it is because you have been neglecting something — most likely yourself.” ― Bryant McGill, Simple Reminders: Inspiration for Living Your Best Life
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 22:37:32 +0000
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