Isoko Nation at 51: Prospects and Challenges of Isoko Youths

Isoko nation is known as “Home of heritage and hospitality”. The Isoko division (region) was born 51 years ago from the defunct Bendel State, comprising what is now Edo and Delta States.

Isoko nation, the home of about 400 people according to the 2006 census ,is the third largest ethnic group in Delta State and one of the largest producer of crude oil and gas which 30 percent of revenue is contributed to the Nigerian economy yearly.Isoko has two local governments,Oleh and Ozoro with 19 cans and villages in Delta State.Isoko nation is predominately for subsistence farming, fishing and hunting.Isoko nation has about 25 wards in Isoko South and Isoko North.Isoko has three state constituencies,Isoko South Constituency 1,Isoko South Constituency 2 and Isoko North Constituency and one Isoko Federal Constituency being presently represented by Hon.Leo Okuweh Ogor.Isoko South Constituency 1 comprises Oleh, Emede,Irri while Isoko South Constituency 2 comprises Aviara,Uzere,Olomoro,Erohowa/Umeh and Igbide.Isoko nation was created on the 7thof October 1963 through Late Chief James Otobo,the doyen of Isoko politics then. He fought tooth and tail to see the liberation of Isoko nation from the then Bendel State.All these political liberations propelled the change of Isoko State Union (ISU) to Isoko Development Union (IDU) to actualize the vision of the region.Isoko and Urhobo were joined together as “Sobo”,So means Isoko while Bo means Urhobo.Isoko people were notably known to be poverty-stricken farmers, teachers and pastors but today the music has changed for better.

My stake here is that some Isoko youths have lost their political rights or senses to some Isoko self-centred and voracious politicians who see nothing good comes out from the youths of the region. At 51,Isoko nation has not given any political leadership to an average Isoko youth than turning the youths into errand boys for selfish interests in the land. It is only those that have stolen government monies in the state can contest elections or belong to the ruling party. To some extent,Isoko has improved in terms of civilization,education,politics,economy,health and law. The problem is that Isoko people are not united as Urhobos with common front.Isoko leadership is bestowed only on leaders with no integrity. Most of these Isoko communities' conflicts are being caused by these desperate politicians while Isoko youths are the ones bearing the brunt. These greedy politicians have succeeded in taking their families abroad and allow their youthful supporters to die in Nigeria. How long will an Isoko youth continue to live in isolation and empty promises? Some wasted Isoko youths are yet to be buried while their perpetrators are working free on the streets of Delta State. It has been alleged that some traditional rulers and community leaders have connived with the few oil companies in the land to cause political instabilities in recent times.51 years of Isoko nation has not benefitted the youths than violence in the land.

One thing about an average Isoko youth is that he or she wants to be educated at all cost and be relevant to the society but most of these so-called political desperados have wickedly succeeded in taking advantages of their weaknesses in recent times. In the 40's and 50's, the late Chief Isaac Ikime of Erohowa kingdom spearheaded the struggle of promoting Isoko vision. Late Isaac Ikime was just 23years old when he joined others to inaugurate the then Isoko State Union(ISU) on December 1943 at Oleh and emerged as the first secretary general of the union and also upgraded the teaching profession in Isoko then.Late S.O Efeturi was elected as the first President-General of the union. Late Chief Ekpre Otobo of Uzere kingdom was just 26years old when he fought for the emancipation of Isoko nation while Rtd Major-General Paul Omu, present IDU President-General was just 35 years ago when he emerged as the then military governor in one of the Niger-Delta states. Even the present Isoko youths have sound education and ICT exposure than our forefathers that fought for the freedom of Isoko nation.Isoko youths must rise to the present challenges to fight against political injustice being perpetrated by these dare-devil Isoko politicians that see political powers as do or die affairs. Senator Spancer Okpozo was just in his thirties when he headed one of the powerful positions in Nigeria. Politics has no permanent friend than permanent interest which some Isoko politicians have since demonstrated. Who among Isoko politicians are saints? An average Isoko youth is afraid to contest election than councillorship.Isoko politicians are taking money politics to buy the hearts of the youths. The last PDP local government primaries in Isoko precisely, some self-appointed godfathers and godmothers conscripted their candidates on the party without due process. Politics of compromise, intimidation and rejection is more pronounced in the region. Even some top Isoko clergy men that ought to pray for these politicians are now partners to their crimes.

The sad commentary is that, Isoko youths that ought to fight for their political rights are now collecting gratifications from these hogwash politicians called leaders in Isokoland.Isoko politicians are now buying fairly used cars to youths that can die for their selfish interests.Umeh Need Road Forum has been politically hijacked by certain youths who take advantage of this noble forum to insult their elders and feather the nest of their dubious sponsors. It was Hon.Benjamin Okiemute of Delta State House of Assembly under the then platform of Democratic People's Party(DPP) now APC that opens the eyes of Isoko youths when he introduced the purchases of constituency cars to supporters. Eventually all serving and contesting politicians are now giving cars to their diehard supports.Isoko politicians should think out of the box while Isoko youths should play politics with integrity. If Hon.Benjamin Essien would have empowered most of the Isoko youths through scholarships to abroad, the numbers o f youth deaths would have been reduced to barest miminum.The like of Hon.Leo Ogor,Hon.Malik Ikpokpo,Hon.Fineboy Ebegbare,Hon.Ferguson Onwo and others have taking political interest in giving cars out to the youths.

Finally,Isoko nation at 51 has not only brought political hardship to the region but also brought wide gap between the young and the old in Isoko leadership.Isoko is yet to produce a political father since the demise of Chief James Otobo in 2011.It is only Isoko nation, elders and leaders decide leaders that will rule them than consulting the youths for credible leadership. Even Malik and Egbabor at their 40s cannot take political decisions on their own without consulting the leaders that gave them PDP tickets come October 25th,2014.These recycled Isoko politicians cannot decide our future for us rather we challenge their leadership now. Even Fred Obe,the publisher of Isoko Eye newspaper was just in his twenties when he challenged Late Dr.Abel Ubeku at the University of Lagos over inability for him to employ Isoko indigenes at the Guinness Nigeria Plc as the first Managing Director of the company. Every Isoko youth must say no to money politics and vote their conscience.Dr.Ogaga Ifowodo is one distinguished Isoko writer that can bring dividends of democracy to Isokoland if voted into power come 2015.An average Isoko supporter needs money to keep soul and body together, so Dr.Ifowodo will find it difficult to win Hon.Leo Ogor come 2015.The latter has boasted to march dollar to dollar while Dr, Ifowodo remains the choice of the people. It is time for all Isoko youths to vote for credibility not party come 2015.

Godday Odidi Public Affairs Analyst 08058124798.Lagos.