ISOKO VISION NEEDS CURE
The dilemma of the Isoko people in Nigeria is not exclusively that of oppression, marginalization or denial of their rights in the nation's reward system; it is essentially a problem of how the public perceives their lack of a vision at this juncture of our political history
Consider for instance, how any ethic nationality in the country can meaningfully achieve socio-economic progress in the Jonathan's administration if they lack a clear political vision. Besides, how can any statesman or political appointee function successfully without being guided by some logic of civilized society and current social good sense bearing upon such a vision?
Two disparate but disconcerting issues occurring recently have lent themselves to the writing of this article. An attempt is being made to characterize the behavior of two types of Isoko elites dominate within the political class. In the light of happenings on the national domestic scene these past one year of Jonathan's administration.
The following two examples readily demonstrate the lack of political vision by the Isoko political elites. The first deals with formation of various Isoko political organizations in Nigeria. The other has to do with the marginalization of Isoko nation at the state and federal levels. These two developments combine to validate the central theme of this article-vision problem of Isokos. Only sick situation needs a cure a healthy one does not require any.
Akin to the above, it is worth observing that Isokos who unarguably are among the marginalized minority ethnic groups in the country, seem to be running miles behind in the race for a political vision. It is a strange phenomenon that Isokos are yet to be seen to be putting their acts together to brace up to do the great political catch-up with the old tripartite. Minority ethnic groups, whose modus operandi centres on the principle of divide and rule ingrained in deceit. Their sole aim is to perpetrate their strange hold on the proverbially less be-gotten located outside the tripartite system. Furthermore, these groups attempt to execute their policy of unhealthy domination by dangling honey-coated instrumental carrots to the mouths of prominent self- serving individual Isokos who have been chosen out for the strategic job of fulfilling their benefactor's deep-rooted political dreams.
But unfortunately, these self-serving villains often carry out such ignoble assignments which reasonable people would consider invidious; roles that are patently at cross purposes to their own group's interests.
It is rather amazing then to note that these thoughtless agents, more often than not, seem willing to endorse-sociological prescriptions to issues that could well undermine or stunt traditional sentiments or group ethos among the Isokos.
We observe with the grief that the Isoko man has too often been the casualty in the struggle for economic competition, political supremacy, and social domination at the centre. Indeed the Isoko casualty list has grown inexplicably long and continues to lengthen by the day beyond the threshold of comfort and disquiet.
Barely many years ago when the Retired Major- General Paul Omu was serving under theRetired General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida 's military regime and helped many Isoko people to be enlisted into the army where many have been retired with meritorious services. He was one of the frontline Isoko top military officers that fought tooth and tail to make Isoko nation great in spite of many military threats and attempt assassinations from the then government in question. He used his military privilege to fix some Isoko people into the Army. Late Chief Ekpre James Otobo of Uzere kingdom also fought for the massive emancipation to see political development through his noble political ambition that saw Isoko nation being totally freed from oppression of larger ethnic group in Nigeria. Most of these Isoko prominent sons and daughters refused to train their godsons and daughters to continue from where they stopped which unequally brought the totality of acute backwardness in Isokoland. Today Uzere town has become a den of troublemakers as regard to traditional leadership and nothing else. Even when retired Felix Ogbaudu , the Assistant Inspector- General of Police(AIG) was in power, many thought that Isoko nation would eventually produced the first Inspector- General of Police but was ceremoniously retired without attaining such enviable position which ought to be political appointment from the federal government.
Again, the Retired Lt General Alex Ogbomudia of Uzere kingdom was appointed by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo as Chief of Army Staff where many hopes of Isoko people restrategised to the extent that they thought 50 percent of Isoko youths would be enlisted into the Army not as recruits but eventually all hopes were lost out due to inferiority complex of the then General who never supported the growth of Isoko nation. Come to think of it, Isoko people are relegated to the background which 35 percent of crude oil and gas is being exploited and explored from the region which has helped to grow the Nigerian economy. Isoko region also have reached culture and language too. Over 100 oil wells are sited in Isokoland while only two local governments; Isoko south and Isoko North are created which population is over 1.2 million people.Isoko region also attracts tourism though the recent flood disaster destroyed the farmlands and houses worth millions of naira in Isoko . The major occupation of Isoko people are fishing and farming while 1.45 kilometers square which land is arable for extensive farming. Vision cycle of poverty is at geometrical progression in Isokoland.
How many Isoko people are truly employed into the strategic oil companies and others? Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Isoko people have not really benefitted than giving less portfolios to the Isokos. Only few Isokos are greatly benefitting from the present government of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan while 65 percent of Isoko roads and social amenities ate grossly begging for developmental survival. No visible government has able to provide infrastructural development in Isokoland than financial embezzlement from unquestionable elements who never wish Isoko region well.
Another dimension to the vision question among Isoko elites is observable from the current activism of the political class following the total marginalization of Isoko nation. It may be reasonably believed that the Isoko political elites have what could be described as an endemic myopia.
For they have remained unprepared to identify with the Isoko cause through the Isoko Development Union (IDU), non politically partisan socio-cultural organization open to all Isokos in the whole Nigeria and abroad, an organization that should serve as the repository of political wisdom and mobilization of thoughts among our people. Upon the existence of IDU, some political class has failed to identify with the noble organization. The recent kidnapping of IDU President, Chief Gregory Akpojene (MON) was an indication of fighting for the common cause of Isoko nation. IDU is divided into many factions which makes the apex leadership weak at all levels.IDU has not really represented the wishes of the people because of political power tussle among the Isoko political class. Barrister Benjamin Ovririe, present President- General of Igbide kingdom in Isoko South has digitally contributed to the developmental progress of IDU and Isoko nation generally.
But unfortunately, upon the total marginalization of the Isoko region, the political class immediately plunged into the sharks infested deep seas of murky waters of Nigerian politics, without first assessing the magnitude of imminent danger in their way based on past experiences of Isokos in politics and a specific sense. Lessons learned not only from previous political dispensations, but from unfold events in Nigeria. Isoko nation must vigorously agitate for their own state creation. Bayelsa was just having three local governments when it was created as a State by the then late military head of State. Gen Sani Abacha in 1996.
It is to be expected that the political class, rather than distancing itself from the organization. In fact stands to gain enormously are fully participating in IDU activities to jointly purse to receive what ever rights there are for Isokos in the country. The newly elected IDU president Chief Akpojene is trying to build the house of IDU which was wickedly destroyed by some prominent Isoko sons of the soil with no emblem of unity.
For the general development of Isokos in all fields of endeavor. It is desirable for all hands to be on deck to at least avoid those political pitfalls we had experienced, and to defect the grand deception of the tripartite.
As may have already become evident, there are two types of Isoko elites who both possess diametrically opposed qualities of vision. For example there are those who. Having attained a level of mental and or intellectual development within their social environment becomes endowed with a clear vision and mission. Unhappily there are others whose vision is located in their pockets; they lack real vision. The difference between these two members of the Isoko political class is that whereas, one even with their eyes closed are alertly awake and see clearly, the other is often caught sleeping while their eyes are wide open. This phenomenon underscores the plight of the Isokos from being unable to elevate their status in our society.
The Isokos have long been unduly sidelined from the scheme of things of this country. All the local meetings of Isoko people being organized on monthly basis in various states should be little given attention to issues of Isoko development and IDU must be ready to fix Isoko leadership rather than fist cut moves of some unprogressive elements in the region. But more distressing and painful is the manner in which they have been humiliated and discriminated against even in the area of the economy (oil sector) where we the Isokos had thought, our contribution would have given us a good measure of the yields of our land.
However, we expect to see a drastic change of heart on the part of the government towards Isokos If at all it has not begun already. We look upon our country to practice the normal give and take of society in the interest of peace and progress.
What the Isokos are demanding from the rest of Nigeria is simply justice, honesty and fair play. The Isokos are no fools. We know what is good for us that we deserve and should get. We should be given the recognition we deserve as one of the large minority ethnic groups in the country. In next election, 2015, Isoko people must contest for governorship in Delta state to compensate them for being marginalized. The likes of Chief Abel Ubeku, Chief John Araka, Senator Stella Omu. Prince Frank Egbodo, Barrister Otuniyo Ejeta, Fineboy Dickson, Prof Stephen Akpavie and Hon Benjamin Essien must work hard to see Isoko nation at the vanguard of progress.
In follows that in all cases therefore, groups interacting with Isokos should accord some respect to them. It is necessary to point out that the knowledge and level of consciousness of our people have grown substantially beyond anything our pacifiers could ever have imagined.
Today we are talking about the Isoko marginalization, yesterday we put all blames on the government, tomorrow it could be the Isoko nation yet other empty promises of political appointment rather than contesting and win. Comrade Macaulay Ovuzorie, Hon Eric Joe , Solomon Ogba must take Isoko nation to the promised land. This is because some Isoko leaders are out there waiting in the wings to be ordered about to undo their own people.
Aferall, incontrovertible historical facts abound to prove conclusively that the Isokos are the aboriginal in habitants of the entire Niger-Delta region, which later became a viable part of what is known and called the Nigerian nation state.
The problems of the Isoko people are created by Isokos themselves. They should stop blaming it on this administration or previous governments of the federation. Should others do our thinking for us? BY GODDAY ODIDI. PUBLIC AFFAIRS ANALYST. 08058124798, 07086603306, 20 Oro Street Ajegunle Apapa Lagos