–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA)- By Michael Ekokoruwe:
The Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Patrick Muoboghare, Hon. Eta Enahoro, Managing Director Skywards Resources limited, Hon. Joel- Onowakpor Thomas, Chief executive officer, Elomas group of companies and others have officially launched a book on “Isoko Ethnic Nationality, In time Perspective” written by one of her illustrious sons, Mr Edafewotu Onokarojakoma Endurance.
The event which held at Isoko Development Union National Secretariat, was chaired by a renowned lawyer and multinational community relations expert, Chief (Barr) Afahokor Akpovienehe Duncan, the Ododo of Umeh Kingdom and the Delta state commissioner for higher education, Prof Patrick Muoboghare as the special guest of honour.
Speaking during the ceremony, the chairman of the occassion, Chief Afahokor Duncan commended Mr Endurance Edafewotu for his efforts in ensuring he joined other educationists and historians who at separate times, had written about the history of Isoko ethnicity’s origin such as the great historian from Uzere Kingdom, Prof (Chief) Ekoko Abednego and Prof. Ikime respectively.
Barr. Afahokor however admonished everyone who will have a different view from the one written in the book not to fight or query anybody but to tow same path with the author of the book by putting their own understanding of Isoko history into writing to correct their perceived errors of their ancestral origin.
“While going through the book, whatever criticism we have about it should not cause chaos rather we should bring the debate on” he said.
He stated that the author wrote the book with the little knowledge he has about the Isoko race, pointing out that it is very good for us to know about our origin. The book didn’t talk about our origin alone, it also talks about our lifestyle, our dressing code and everything attached to us.
The President General of Isoko Development Union, High Chief Iduh Amadhe in his remarks said, God has given all of us special gift, if we don’t make use of it, it will be collected and given to those who have even more than we do.
“The youths should come and do something meaningful, it is their gift that makes way for them and enable them sit with Kings and Queens.”
He further opined that technology is one of the thing killing the vision of our youths and it has become a major distraction to them, noting that the youths should come out from their comfort and confront the world before them while making use of the gifts God has given them.
Meanwhile Dr. Alex Uriri, the book reviewer said that the book focuses on the origin of the Isoko ethnic nationality, its development, goals, quality and good life, it challenges a large number of communities.
He said, the Isoko kingdom consist of the Ellu community founded by total strangers, the Ozoro Idudu with a popular adage attached to them because of their origin.
He added that the name Ozoro was given after the wife was Pouted and that alone demonstrates the power of a woman. Saying that women should not be looked down upon because they’ve alot of role to play in the society as large. Other communities include Oleh, Ovrode, Lagos-Iyede among others.
Also speaking during the event the special guest of honour, the Commissioner for Higher Education Delta State, Prof. Patrick Muoboghare said “we are here today because an Isoko illustrious son Mr. Endurance Edafewotu has written a book about Isoko nation”.
According to him there are many women here who are not educated, who cannot read and write like my late mother, not that she was blind but because she was not formally educated. But before she died in 2011 the son of an illiterate mother was already a professor.
“The women who are here today if you ensure your children are able to go to school it means you are also educated. You should endeavor to buy a copy of this book so that your literate children can read it and interpret it for you”
Prof. Muoboghare also said that, ” I am not just here today because I am the commissioner for Higher Education in Delta State I came here in my own right and capacity as an illustrious son of Isoko because my mother is from Edherie (Aviara).
Prof. Muoboghare however recommended the book The Isoko Ethnic Nationality in Time Perspective for students of tertiary institution and secondary school in Delta State.
Mr Edafewotu Endurance appreciated everyone who supported him in actualizing the vision and returned all thanks to the Almighty God for giving him the inspiration and zeal to pen down the historical masterpiece which was borne our of his passion and love he has for Isoko nation.
The highlight of the event was demonstration of various Isoko cultural dance groups that trilled the audience with their sensational voices and simultaneous artistic steps. selected pupils from the primary schools also performed
The ceremony was attended by notable sons and daughters of Isoko extraction amongst whom are, Hon Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, CEO Elomas Group of Companies, The state coordinator, FIRS Rivers, Edo, Delta and his team, Prophet Jones Erue, APC state chairman.
Others are Hon. Eta Enahoro, C.E.O, Skywards Resources Limited, Chief John Araka, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, chairman Isoko South local government area, represented by Mr. Obrogo Kola, Chief Lucky Esigie, Leader APC Isoko nation, Hon Lucky Okperi, Hon (Pst) Silas Buowe, Isoko traditional rulers, Chief Andy Ejeje, Hon Lucky Arumari, Hon Andrew Egunoma, Hon Odogu Emiakpor, High Chief Edhekpo Uyoyou and Representative of university press Ltd, Ibadan.
