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Tag: Isoko

  • Ijaw, Isoko, Itsekiri to engage governor on funding

    Ijaw, Isoko, Itsekiri to engage governor on funding

    Elders and leaders of Ijaw, Isoko and Itsekiri ethnic nationalities in Delta South Senatorial District have reviewed their development strategy, with plans to engage the Delta State Government on issues affecting their communities.

    The leaders, under the auspices of the Ijaw, Isoko and Itsekiri Leaders’ Forum (3Is), are seeking dialogue with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to address concerns relating to infrastructural development, funding of intervention agencies and inclusive governance.

    A source familiar with discussions at a meeting held in Warri on Tuesday, said the elders agreed on the need to interface with the governor on challenges facing the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), the spread of major infrastructure projects across the state and improved communication between the government and community elders outside active partisan politics.

    Read Also: Police invite Itsekiri chiefs over ‘killing’

    According to the source, the forum observed that since the current administration, there had been limited public information on DESOPADEC’s budgetary operations, and the commission appeared to be suffering from timely release of funds “despite the more than triple increase of the monthly derivation money from FAAC.” 

  • Isoko APC leaders decry marginalisation, seek commission’s MD

    Isoko APC leaders decry marginalisation, seek commission’s MD

    All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in Isoko, Delta State, have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the marginalisation of the ethnic nationality.

    According to them, Isoko, the second place oil was discovered in the Niger Delta after Oluibiri, has not had any federal presence or any of their sons or daughters appointed as minister or into any federal executive position since 1999.

    They said the only thing representing federal presence in Isoko is a police station and street lights by the NDDC.

    In contrast, the Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic groups have had ministers and others appointed to executive positions and enjoy other essential infrastructure.

    The leaders are urging President Tinubu to appoint an Isoko person as the Managing Director of the newly created South-South Development Commission (SSDC) for the sake of equity and fairness.

    They stressed that their peaceful agitation for inclusion at the national level, if continuously neglected, could give rise to violent agitation, which they have been working to avoid.

    They made the call on behalf of the Isoko ethnic nationality at a briefing in Lagos.

    Delta State APC Secretary, Chief Peter Akarogbe, said it will become difficult to sell the party to voters and convince people to work for it if the injustice persists.

    Read Also: Tinubu approves N15bn to avert flood disaster

    He believes there is no better opportunity to address the neglect than to appoint an Isoko person as the SSDC MD.

    He said many eminently qualified sons and daughters of Isoko can head the new commission.

    Akarogbe said: “Our people have been marginalised for too long. In Delta South, there are three ethnic nationalities: Isoko, Ijaw and Itsekiri.

    “Only Isoko has not gotten anything – either appointment or federal government presence. And it’s making it difficult for us to sell the party to our people.

    “We believe it is an oversight by the President, so we want to draw his attention to these anomalies.

    “The SSDC has been created. The chairman has been appointed from Cross River State. The headquarters is also in Akwa Ibom State. The board has not been constituted.

    “We are calling on the President and all those in authority to look in the direction of the Isokos – for a son or daughter of Isoko to be appointed as the Managing Director of that commission for the sake of equity and fairness.

    “We’re major stakeholders. Isoko is the largest onshore oil producer in Nigeria, producing close to 400 barrels per day onshore. So why should we not be considered for a federal appointment?

    “We’re drawing the President’s attention to the oversight and pleading with him to appoint our own as the MD of the SSDC.”

    Delta South APC Youth Leader Hyacinth Ewariezi described it as “painful and disheartening” that Isoko has not had a Federal appointment since 1999.

    “I feel the SSDC was created for the Isoko to be accommodated because we have been blacked out despite our significant contribution to the economy.

    “Party-wise, we have contributed our quota. So, the President should remember us by appointing an Isoko son as the MD. That is the agreement of the Isokos.

    “When this is done, Isoko will surely reciprocate by voting him en masse in 2027.”

    State APC Welfare Secretary, Mrs Hoplyn Akpotu-Ayu, stressed that the Isoko ethnic nationality cannot continue to be neglected.

    She said: “Considering our contribution to the economy, this marginalisation saddens us, so we want the Federal Government to remember us this time.

    “The entire Isokos agreed that we should be given this appointment, and we plead that nothing should sabotage that unanimous plea, especially given our enormous contribution to the economy.

    “That way, we will be able to convince our people to vote APC in 2027.”

    According to Mrs. Akpotu-Ayu, if an Isoko person is appointed MD of SSDC, he will be in the best position to attract the much-needed infrastructure and projects that have been lacking.

    “It will also give our people hope that, having appointed their son to that position, other appointments will follow.

    “In the Senatorial district, the President had the highest number of votes from the Isoko nationality.

    “So, there is no justification for continuously neglecting us just because we have no person at the top speaking for us.

    “The President needs to know that such a level of marginalisation is being carried out against a populous ethnic nationality with great voting strength.

    “The best way the President can correct it is to give this MD-ship to an Isoko son.

    “Ijaws and Isekiri have produced many ministers and senior special advisers, chairmen of commissions and federal commissioners. Isoko has never gotten one. It’s like man’s inhumanity to man. It’s not fair.

    “So we urge the President to address the issue to avoid violent agitation because when peaceful agitation is resisted, it could give rise to violent agitation.

    “Isoko leaders are already suppressing the youths from taking arms. There should be a reward for being peaceful.

    “When there was no offshore oil production, it was the Isokos and a part of the Urhobo that were sustaining the country, but today, the nationality is being neglected. The reward for their making peace should not be neglect.”

    APC Isoko South Chairman, Vincent Egbogbo, said other ethnic groups have enjoyed a lot of political patronage from the Federal Government over the years.

    “So, we’re appealing to the President to please wipe our tears by appointing our son as the SSDC MD. That is the only way the Isoko can be carried along.

    “In fact, the gods of our land will go after anyone who obstructs this request from coming to fruition,” he said.

    The leaders said many representations have been made to the Federal Government over the years, with letters also sent to President Tinubu, but none have yielded a positive outcome so far.

    They are hopeful that the President will listen to their appeals this time.

  • Fairness for Isoko: The Cycle of marginalisation must be broken

    Fairness for Isoko: The Cycle of marginalisation must be broken

    • By Oke Michael Aziakpono

    Despite being a major ethnic group in Delta State and a significant contributor to Nigeria’s oil wealth, Isoko has been consistently marginalized in Federal and State appointments

    Isoko is an oil-rich region with a long history of production. The OML 30, which Isoko belongs to, produces an average of 80,000-90,000 barrels per day (bpd), with Isoko contributing 65% of this production. Additionally, the OML 26 and Irri oilfields contribute to Isoko’s total oil production, which averages around 100,000 bpd. However, despite this significant contribution to Nigeria’s oil wealth, Isoko has borne the brunt of environmental degradation and health hazards associated with oil exploration.

    Lack of Representation in Federal and State Appointments

    Since 1999, Delta State’s Isoko ethnic group has been consistently marginalized in federal and state appointments. Despite being one of the state’s most populous groups, Isoko has been overlooked for ministerial positions, which have instead gone to Urhobo, Anioma, Itsekiri, and Ijaw individuals. Furthermore, Isoko has yet to produce a governor or deputy governor in the state, highlighting a significant imbalance in representation and power.

    A Call for Equity and Fairness

    The Isoko people are demanding a fair share of federal and state appointments, citing their consistent commitment to peaceful coexistence and nonviolence despite facing numerous challenges. With ministerial appointments and governorship elections on the horizon, prioritizing Isoko’s representation is crucial

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    The Way Forward

    For peace and sustainable progress of Nigeria, it’s crucial that the government emphasizes equity and fairness in appointments. The Isoko people, with their substantial contribution to Nigeria’s oil wealth and commitment to peaceful coexistence, deserve representation and a voice in the country’s leadership. Their significant contributions to Nigeria’s oil wealth, underscore the need for fair representation and government patronage. Moreover, the Isoko people’s commitment to peaceful means of voicing dissent demonstrates their readiness to take on leadership role.

    We urge the Federal and State governments to ensure Isoko receives its fair share of appointments and infrastructural development, to bring much-needed growth and opportunities to the region.

    Simultaneously, we appeal to the Isoko political class to adopt a more inclusive and forward-thinking approach, because the general consensus is that Isoko political class have not shown enough dexterity in seeking a fair deal for the people.

    By being more visible and less clannish, they can effectively attract the attention of the Federal and State governments, ultimately driving development and progress in Isoko. This includes fostering collaborations, promoting collective interests, and engaging in constructive dialogue to address the region’s pressing needs. The Isoko political class need to do more to draw the necessary attention to the obvious raw deal it gets even at Delta State level.

  • Accountants seek development of Isoko communities

    Accountants seek development of Isoko communities

    To fast-track economic growth and development across Isoko communities in Delta state, professional accountants of Isoko extraction have established the Isoko Nation Professional Accountants Forum (INPAF).

    Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, weekend, Sir Ayodele Othihiwa, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial contestant and a member of the Board of Trustees, stated that the forum would champion development of the accounting profession, as well as contribute to the growth, progress and unity of the area.

    Other BOT members include Senator Joel Onowakpo, Frederick Asasa, Mr Anthony Etese, Chief Paul Odhomor, Hon. Irebia, Dame (Mrs) Onome Adewuyi and Mr Benson Osieme.

    Read Also: Isokoland can’t boast of electricity despite oil exploitation – Ex-PDP Chair

    Welcoming members on board, Othihiwa pointed out that through exchange of ideas, knowledge and experiences, members can support one another and collaborate on initiatives that would advance their careers and make positive impact on Isoko nation.

    “We will engage in activities that will promote professional growth, ethical conduct, and spirit of service. We, as the Isoko Nation Professional Accountants Forum, have the potential to be a force for positive change,” he stated.

  • Ex-PDP chairman laments underdevelopment in Isoko communities

    Ex-PDP chairman laments underdevelopment in Isoko communities

    Former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Delta State, Mr Emmanuel Ogidi, has decried the poor level of development across Isokoland, despite contributing a sizable chunk to Nigeria’s economy, through its oil and gas resources.

    Presenting a lecture at the launch of a book, “Isoko Outstanding Personalities,” written by Felida Essi, in Oleh, Isoko South Local Government, he urged indigenes of Isoko nation to develop a “masterplan” bearing a “shared vision” that would drive development in the land.

    In the lecture with the theme, “Isoko People And Her Neighbours – A Comparison In Growth And Development”, he bemoaned the epileptic electricity situation in the entire area, which was the second place crude oil was discovered in Nigeria, at Uzere, over 50 years ago.

    Emphasising that the “anomaly should be the rally cry of leaders of Isoko today,” he said with a shared vision, the goal to accelerate development would be easily achieved.

    “The emergence of Isoko nation as a growing and developing nation must be on the basis of a shared vision and aspiration. It is not a concept, it has been the true way of all nations. Every successful nation found a way to translate her core values into blueprint for growth and development,” Ogidi stated.

    He affirmed that even though not much has been achieved, the Isoko nation is better than what it used to be, citing education and some infrastructures.

    Read Also: Appeal Court validates venue of Imo PDP primaries

    Calling for unity in order to move Isoko nation forward, Ogidi urged Isoko people to desist from the ‘pull him down’ syndrome, adding it has contributed largely to the lack of development in the land.

    In his opening remarks, Special Adviser to Delta State Governor on Project Monitoring and Audit and Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Goodnews Agbi, stressed the need for more participation in intellectual activities, especially among youths, noting that this would lead to better exposure and attract development to the Isokoland.

    In her welcome address, Essi, who is also the publisher of Isoko Mirror newspapers, appealed to government at all levels, as well as corporate bodies and well-meaning individuals to support Isoko youths in their creative endeavours so as to reduce unemployment, crime and immorality to their barest minimum.

  • 178 to be unveiled in book for contribution to Isoko devt

    178 to be unveiled in book for contribution to Isoko devt

    One hundred and seventy-eight individuals and organisations who have contributed to the growth and development of Isoko nation would be unveiled at the launch of a book titled: “Isoko Outstanding Personalities” this Friday, November 3.

    The book which was authored by Chief Executive Officer of Fone Media Integrated Ventures, publishers of Isoko Mirror newspapers, Dr. Felida Essi, would be launched, alongside presentation of awards to some deserving sons and daughters of Isokoland in Oleh, headquarters of Isoko South council area of Delta state.

    The event which would be cahired by Special Adviser to the Governor of Delta State on Projects Monitoring/Audit, Dr. Goodnews Agbi, was announced in a statement by Simeon Okworide, Editor of Isoko Mirror.

    According to the statement, the award presentation” is to encourage and ginger the awardees to do more for the Isoko Nation, as well as motivate others to emulate them”.

    Read Also: Ovie Confirms Salami Olaniyi As Yoruba Leader in Uvwie, Delta State.

    A posthumous award would be bestowed on a foremost sports nationalist, late Dr. Awoture Eleyae, while Chief Dr. Kenneth Idiodi, president of the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC, Nigeria, among others would bag awards.

    One time Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, would deliver an address on “the level of development in Isoko Nation, compared to other ethnic nationalities in Delta state in particular, and Nigeria in general”.

  • Excitement as Isoko gets first four-star hotel

    Oleh, the headquarters of Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, over the weekend, found its way into the world’s hospitality map as one of the biggest hotels in the Niger Delta region of the country; Dantinajo Gold Resort, was officially inaugurated.

    Aside from holding a beacon for Oleh and its people, Dantinajo Gold Resort is also an example of how a national economy can be grown, according to former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who was the Chief launcher of the facility.

    Speaking about how and why the hotel was built in Oleh of all places, the owner of the investment, Daniel Elozino Omoyibo an Engineer, said his primary aim in building the facility was the economy and well fare of his kinsmen in Oleh.

    He reasoned that the first beneficiaries of the investment would be hundreds of young men and women from the immediate environment, who would find employment at the facility, then those who would continue to make livelihood from providing goods and services for the daily running of the place.

    “My main reason for putting up this edifice is to make sure I bring out the unemployed youths out there and empower them, reduce unemployment in Nigeria, Delta, Isoko and Oleh”, he said.

    Declaring that Dantinajo Gold Resort is the best in the oil-rich region, Omoyibo noted that the hotel boasts standard facilities, adding that it can compete with any world-class hotels in service rendering and management.

    He said: “The hotel has 85 rooms; 53 standard rooms, 12 suits and 20 apartments. Some of the facilities here are a swimming pool, a gym, a conference hall, a restaurant and a bar.”

    In addition to all the fine facilities the hotel boasts of, the residents were excited about the economic benefits the hotel is expected to provide for them in Oleh and many Isoko from other surrounding communities.

    Some of those who spoke at the event expressed how happy they were about the new hotel. They regarded it as an added ornament to the landscape of Isoko land, something that can be found in other more developed towns and cities, a thing to honour their homeland.

    One of the guests at the inauguration ceremony, Mr. Matthew Onoriode, commended Omoyibo for bringing “a dream to reality in Oleh”.

    According to him, many people in the same position as Omoyibo and with equivalent wealth would have failed to see the beauty and economic value such an investment could bring to a town such as Oleh.

    “This is very commendable and it should be emulated by other well-to-do Nigerians. Some other people would have thought building this kind of edifice in a town such as Oleh wouldn’t bring them as much returns as they would wish, but such people are mistaken because in no distant time, our brother will start counting his gains in multiple folds.

    “This is the first A-list hotel in this part of the world and one certain thing is that all visitors and fun-seekers in the whole of Isoko and some Urhobo communities will now find their ways here,” Onoriode said.

    The hotel facility, built on a massive space in the heart of the town, which also serves as the headquarters of the Delta South Senatorial District and host to the Law Faculty of the Delta State University (DELSU), is expected to serve an array of clientele, ranging from occasional visitors, to company employees working far away from home, to hosting big political meetings and other.

  • Isoko host communities reaffirm exit from OML 30 CDB

    MONARCHS, Presidents-General and Cluster Nominees of Isoko Host Communities of Oil Producing Communities in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 30 have reaffirmed their exit from the Community Development Board (CDB) operating the new GMOU.

    A communiqué signed by the monarchs and presidents-general of the Isoko clusters of OML 30, said their exit was because the interest of the Isoko nation would not be protected on the Morrison Idiovwa-led board.

    The communiqué, which gave 14 days to Heritage Energy Operational Service Ltd to abide by their resolution, called on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to intervene in the situation.

    A statement by Chief Sunny Akpotu,  Sam Efegodo, Chief Emeakpor Owhe and two others, on behalf of the Isoko cluster, asked the public to disregard any publication of an exit, saying the new CDB executive had started work, and there was no time Isoko clusters pulled out of OML 30 CDB.

    The statement said a member from the Isoko cluster contested for chairman and lost, but was re-elected CDB secretary, an indication that the Isoko cluster was in no dispute with the Idiovwa-led executive.

    The statement reads: “Apart from the man who contested for the chairmanship, another member from the Isoko cluster also contested for the treasurer and won. We want to state clearly that we are comfortable with Idiovwa’s administration and nobody should drag him into unnecessary confrontation because of personal interest.

    “After the swearing in of the members of the CDB, the next order of business was the election of officers of the CDB from among its members in line with Article 7 (7.8) of the GMOU. We can see that the process followed in line with the article referred to above, shows that the election was conducted and the current executive had followed due process.

    “So, the appeal by the Traditional Rulers, Presidents-General  and the Cluster Nominees of Isoko Nation Host Communities of OML 30, requesting Governor Okowa’s intervention amounts to disturbing the governor unnecessarily as there is relative peace in the board and we should queue behind the Idiovwa-led executive.”

  • Protesters block Delta govt. house gates over hijack of jobs

    Regular official activities at the Delta state Government House in Asaba were held to a standstill for close to one hour on Thursday when protesting youths and ex-agitators blocked the only access in protest of an alleged hijack of their surveillance jobs.
    The protesters, under the aegis of OML 30 communities youths and ex-agitators from the first to the third phase of the federal government’s amnesty programme, who stormed the governor’s office in tens of buses from various Urhobo, Isoko, Ijaw and Itsekiri communities, accused business tycoon, Captain Hosa Okunbo and his company, Ocean Marine, of scheming to hijack the the surveillance contract of OML 30 facilities and render thousands of them jobless.
    However, the state government, represented by the Attorney-General of the state and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Peter Mrakpor, affirmed to the angry protesters that the agreement with the operator of the facilities was that the communities handle the surveillance and security of the facilities, adding that the government would not let that agreement fail.
    Expressing the displeasure of the protesters to the state government, from a position paper which was later handed over to the Attorney-General, spokesman of the youths and ex-agitators, Mr Lord Tennyson, said thousands of youths of the state were about to lose their jobs to the alleged hijack, noting also that if not prevented, the security situation in their areas might be adversely affected.
    He also charged the state governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, to investigate the process attending to the alleged hijack, alleging also that the the contract value had been inflated more than five times the actual price, saying , “we have learnt from very reliable sources that the intent of Captain Okunbo, his company; Ocean Marine and his presidency backers is to use the surveillance job as a mere front to siphon millions of dollars for the purposes of executing the 2019 elections in Delta state and rig their party, the APC to power in the state.

    Read Also: A boost for construction in Niger Delta coastal communities

    “To achieve this, we gathered that the corrupt gang in the presidency has corruptly and unilaterally awarded the surveillance contract to Ocean Marine at a rate almost five to six times of the contract award rate of the previous contractor company.
    “Your Excellency, we feel that this is the point at which you, as the Chief Security Officer of our dear state, must rise up to take steps to nip this madness in the bud to avert the impending danger that this greedy set of ‘soldiers of fortune’ is about to impose on not just our communities, but also our dear state.
    “You may wonder how this is our concern. It has become our concern because we have sat down to imagine what the picture will look like when Ocean Marine successfully takes our jobs away from us, using either traditional rulers or president-generals of communities as fronts, how many youths with bustling capacities and abilities will be rendered jobless. We imagine what other uses can hitherto busy, but now idle youths can engage their abilities and capabilities in.
    “We are imagining the level of confrontations and conflicts we might start to have to witness and how much work the security agencies might have to be dealing with by the time these thousands of jobless, able-bodied youths start engaging those they will inevitably blame for their new unpleasant status and how much more chaos the state government might have to be grappling with, having to add the problem of restive youths from an area that had hitherto maintained its peaceful calm all along. Your Excellency, we hope you know these might eventually be the least of the problems you may expect to come out of the 111 communities under OML 30”, he said.
    Responding to the presentation of the protesters, the Attorney-General, Mr Mrakpor, recalled that the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU) between the operators of the OML 30 facilities, Heritage Energy Oil Services Limited (HEOSL) and the communities had just been recently, after a whole year of processing, noting that the agreement was that surveillance of facilities will be the job of Deltans and had rejected any involvement of non-Delta personnel or companies.
    He, however assured that he would take the matter to the governor the moment he returns to Asaba, adding “I can assure you that you will not be disappointed”.

  • Flooding: Uduaghan calls for more aids for victims

    …as former governor visits ravaged communities, deliver Aids

     

    Former governor of Delta state, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has called on international aid agencies, religious bodies and public spirited individuals to rise up to assist communities across Nigeria currently being ravaged by floods.

    The former governor, who is also an All Progressives Congress (APC) hopeful for the Delta South Senatorial District seat, made the call Thursday evening during a visit to flood victims camped at an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Emede, Isoko South council area the state, where he delivered food items worth millions of naira.

    The items donated included, many bags of rice, beans, garri, many cartons of tin tomatoes, indomie noodles, several cans of vegetable oil, palm oil and over hundred tubers of yam.

    Uduaghan, who visit many flood-ravaged communities across Isoko land before stopping at the camp, said his mission to the displaced persons and the flooded communities was to draw attention of the world to the situation and to paint a proper picture of the disaster and thereby get more attention to those who need it most currently.

    “What I have come out here to do today is to ensure that people know that this kind of situation is on ground, it is to draw attention of our people to the seriousness of the flooding situation in Delta and other places today, and that people should empathize with those that are affected and try as much as possible to do one thing or the other to alleviate their situation.

    “But you see, we cannot leave everything for the government alone to do. These people, they need psychological support, they need physical support, they need all sorts of support, even spiritual support they need.

    Read Also: Uduaghan in APC: The shape of things to come

    “So, we must as a people who God has placed in various positions and who are not affected by this kind of situation to assist them go through the situation. It is not easy to be displaced from your house or home.

    “You just woke up suddenly and there is water in your home and you have to move to somewhere else, maybe a classroom where you are exposed to mosquitoes, exposed to all sorts of hazards, all you have to do is get a mattress or a pillow where you can lay your head on, it is not easy. You are not sure of where your meal is coming from, a lot of things, displacement is not easy”, he said.

    The former governor, however expressed fears that the situation might not be easing out yet, adding that it might even be worse than what was experienced in a similar disaster in 2012, as a result of the fact that water levels are still rising.

    Uduaghan promised to visit and donate to as many camps as possible across Delta State.