FONE Media holds Ist Delta pillar of Development awards with book launch, urges unity

*Isoko should speak with one voice –Felida
*Isoko should encourage intellectual activities —Agbi
*Isoko should put their house in order — Ogidi

By Okworide Simeon

The FONE Media Integrated Ventures, publishers of Isoko Mirror newspaper has held its first Delta pillar of Development awards (DEPODA) with a book launch held on the 3rd November, 2023, at Mano hotels and suites, (Former Eboh Hotel) Oleh, the headquarters of Isoko Nation in Delta State.

In her welcome address, the CEO of FONE Media Integrated Ventures, who authored the book titled “Isoko Outstanding personalities”, Dr. Felida Essi, while appreciating the guests present for honouring the invitation sent to them, despite short notice, she had noted that, Delta pillar of Development awards is aimed towards encouraging people who have made immensed contributions to the development of societies, especially in Isoko Nation, not to rest on their oars.

She noted that ” as we continued to appreciate them, the zeal to do more will be in them, so that every discerning mind would have keen insight about the genuineness of this noble programme”.
Dr. Felida Essi used the medium to appeal to senior citizens of Isoko Nation to come together and speak with one voice, while putting aside their political differences, to enable Isoko as a Nation to get its rightful place.

In his address, the chairman of the occasion, Dr. Goodnews Agbi, described the occasion as a special one, noting that, for the first time in Isoko Nation “we are having a collection of Isoko Outstanding personalities who have distinguished themselves in their various areas of specializations”
“Let me sincerely say that,  Isoko is a very distinct and special ethnic group and am happy that, in all, somebody has decided to take it upon herself to get a compendium of Isoko sons and daughters who have contributed one way or the other to the development of Isoko Nation and was able to put them in a book”.

He observed that, he is not surprised about the attendance, noting that, if it were a social gathering, the hall would have been filled to the brim, but, when it comes to intellectual activities, majority of prominent Isoko’sons and daughters are always not present.

He reasoned that, that kind of altitude is the main issue the Isoko Nation need to tackle.
He emphasize that, the Yorubas are always ahead in Nigeria as result of their intellectual capacity. He urged the Isoko Nation to encourage intellectual activities, so as to move Isoko forward.

“If you go to the oil sector that we owned, the Yorubas are more employed than us. I think, this event should be a starting point for the Isoko people to put their house in order and begin to encourage education”.

The keynote speaker, erstwhile Delta State PDP chairman, Chief Emmanuel Ogidi has decried the poor level of infrastructural development in Isoko Nation, saying that, there is no single community in Isoko that can boast of constant electricity supply, while other ethnic nationalities without Natural gas continued to enjoy 24/7 electricity, whereas “Uzere” in Isoko was the second place oil was discovered after Oloibiri, present day Balyesa.

Ogidi noted that, this anomaly should be the rally point of cry by the Isoko leaders, stressing that, if the Isoko leaders are united and decided on it as a shared vision, he is very sure, it will be an easily achievable goal.

Chief Ogidi, wondered what could be the yardstick to measure growth and development when there is nothing to compare to the journey of growth with.

Ogidi noted that, “the emergence of Isoko Nation must be on the basis of shared vision and aspiration. It is not a concept, it has been the true way of all nations. Every successful nation has always find a way to translate its core-values into a blueprint for growth and development”.

“This activity, in some cases is called “POLICY” while in other cases, it is called “MASTER PLAN” and it becomes the bible that shed the light on the way of moving from one reality to another. There is no other way to translate the growth of a nation, except to see their visions and plans”.

He lamented the republican self-governance nature of the Isoko citizenry that has become the undoing of the growth and development of Isoko Nation, while stating that, leadership is as result of structure, while structure is as result of accepted goals and accepted goals are as result of shared vision, including aims and objectives, noting that, nothing is achieved in a vacuum of leadership with vision and plan.
Ogidi further noted that, if the Isoko people must move ahead, they must also relinquish the lifestyle of other ethnic Nations norms.

The awardees includes; Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Okoro, Chief Dr. Kenneth Idiodi, Hon. Johnson Erijo, Barr. Mrs Mary Erijo, Mr Amos Esiedede Iwary, Kelvin Ubara, Evang. Gabriel Isibeluo, Mr Goddy Egene, Mrs Tina Joseph, Chief Emmanuel Ekeh, Chief Longley Evru, Rev. Moses M. Itiveh, Madam Beatrice Oyibokure Ifakpor, AGBORUA CHRISTIAN MORRIS, Prof. Juliet Edafiwogho Emudianughe(Nee OWHORO) Amb. Joelson Igbudu, Chief Godspower Omadhebor,  Arch-Bishop Dr Eric U Emiaso, Bishop Dr Mrs Rita Emiaso, High Chief Dr Oscar Itimi, Chief Owhe Emiakpo while those with posthumous Award are Late Dr. Awoture Eleyae, Sir Idudhe Peter, Okpei Charles and Tennyson Owereva Otuorimuo. 
Some of the corporate bodies given awards in recognition of their social responsibility to the society includes: Isoko united club of Nigeria, Unik fellow organization of Igbide (UFO) and Ughole Orphanage Home.

Some dignitaries present includes; the oba of Gbomina Ekiti, Tapa Kingdom, HRH. Barr. Rufus Olarewaju Ajayi Arilewola 11, The ACNPN vice chairman, Comr. Alaska Ekele former NUJ chairman, Isoko chapter, Comr. Emmanuel Ekebe, His-Honour, Justice Emiaso Emiakpo, Chief Barr. Joe Aruasi, Chief Brooklyn Essi, Chief Clifford Obi, Uzere grammer school old student association led by the secretary Dr. Tex Ojobor were also in attendance to support the author who is also an old student, while pastor Dr. S.G.O Uyeh JP was ably represented by daughter, Mrs. Lydia Akpojene Eleta the book reviewer ,  Mr Patrick Ugeh, head of News Quest FM and other dignitaries.

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