My Thought on Isoko Nation

“There is always a step small enough from where we are to get us to where we are to get us to where we want to be. If we take that step, there’s always another we can take and eventually a goal thought to be too far to reach becomes achievable-Ellen Langer”

For Isoko nation to develop there is need for our educated minds to engage on constructive criticisms to bring entrepreneurial development to the region. The issue of pull-him down (PhD) syndrome and destructive criticisms on Isoko elected leaders is popular in this part of the world. Charles Baudelaire (1821-1887) says “It is from the womb of art that criticism was born”.

If we continue to criticize destructively without balanced investigations on our Isoko elected leaders; it means that we are telling the whole world that Isoko people are corrupt and cannot be entrusted with national leadership. Eddie Cantor says “It takes 20years to make an overnight success.”That shows Isoko nation has a long way to go in terms of political and entrepreneurial development.

The recent alleged constituency projects leveled against a renowned Isoko politician shows that some elements hate to see others making progresses in life. Aeschylus says “Few men have natural strength to honour a friend’s success without envy. So if the said allegation on this renowned honorable of establishing a radio station which some of us have been agitating for the past 10 years, which means Isoko people have every reason to praise such achievable project. The truth of the matter is that many of our critics are sightless, if the said honorable use constituency projects to establish a radio station, no matter bad or good, 10 Isoko indigenes must be employed.

To me, there is no news and such allegation is baseless and Isokolites should ignore such envious characters in the land. If we continue to think negatively on our political leaders in the region, then it would take another 40 years for Isoko to develop. It’s time for Isoko Development Union (IDU) under the leadership of High Chief Iduh Amadhe to organize leadership conferences and economic summit to address issues on entrepreneurial development.

Now that our two amiable local government chairmen, Sir Hon Malik Ikpokpo(KSM) and Hon Emmanuel Egbabor are working assiduously in spite of the paucity of funds at their disposal to fulfill campaign promises, there is need for everybody in Isoko to appreciate their good works. .Egbabor has been focusing on youth trainings on entrepreneurial development and E-business, which we help many youths in Isoko North to be job creators not job seekers by adding their revenue into the local government in near future. On the other hand, Hon.Malik Ikpokpo also focusing on agricultural sector in Isoko south to boost its productivity.

It is better we draw the attention of our elected or appointed leaders to issues based than throwing vituperations on them or indulge on destructive criticisms to dent their reputations. I remembered vividly when the then SSG to Delta State, Hon.Macaulay Ovuozourie came to Lagos in 2012 to unveil Isoko Advancement Network (IAN), said “We Isoko people are our problems”. We don’t value our own. No matter an Ijaw man in position is corrupt; no Ijaw writer would publish his misgivings on the social media platform or other means of media. Our political betrayers start from we Isokolites.I wiped profusely anytime, I see other Delta regions been given ministerial appointments at the federal level, in spite of our faithfulness and commitment to party politics.

My great admiration goes to the founder of Umeh Need Road Forum (UNRF), Barr. Duncan Afakohor, where this forum focuses on Isoko development and drawing the attention of elected leaders to develop their constituencies. Everybody has its own shortcomings, so our Isoko writers should focus on issues-based not attacking personalities. Benjamin Disrael says “It is much easier to be critical than to be correct”. Our mindset of destructive criticisms should change and we should learn to celebrate our dead or alive leaders in Isoko. If we focus on what we eat or get today, then the future would be bleak for the next generation in Isoko.Take for instance,Tompolo of Ijaw nation that is heating the polity now, have you ever seen any Ijaw writer going on the social media platform to expose his weaknesses? The answer is capital No.

However, only unity and oneness can fast-track Isoko development not mendacious stories to run down our leaders. Whether we like or not, youth involvement in politics has increased in Isoko, where these political leaders have offered employment opportunities to some youths. The kind of development some critics are agitating for in Isoko can only be achieved through private partnership and nothing more. I used to be a vibrant critic on issues in Isoko with little knowledge then, until I realized that political development cannot be achieved on the pages of newspapers or social media platforms without proper investigation of facts before publications. Let us build Isoko nation with one voice not destructive criticisms on political leaders.

Godday Odidi
Social Media Analyst
08058124798
Lagos

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Articles by Godday Odidi