A renowned Professor of History and President of Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN) Prof. Sam Aghalino has lauded the President and members of Isoko Professionals Association (IPA) for their efforts towards eradicating illiteracy and unemployment from Isoko land.
This was made known during the 15th anniversary of Isoko Professional Association/Award ceremony which was held at James Ekpre Otobi Hall, in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The event also featured the presentation of 24 white marker boards, marker pens and dusters to selected Principals of Secondary Schools across Isoko Nation to aid basic education among young people of Isoko ethnic nationality.
The Isoko Professionals Association is a conglomerate of Isoko sons in various endeavours with like minds who have been contributing to the Educational and human capital development in Isoko land.
According to Prof. Aghalino an association like the Isoko Professionals Association (IPA) should be commended, they have been able to gauge and personify their challenges and how they can solve them. My own is just to acknowledge them, applaud their vision and encourage them to do more.
He said “The pursuit of goodwill is something to be celebrated, what I know of this association year in, year out is to engage in intervention. Education is light, without education many of us would have been in the village riding motorcycle as a means of livelihood, but education is a cake that can take anybody from nowhere to somewhere”.
He therefore admonished the group to open the door to allow more people to join them and not to politicize the group. He added that one thing that can destroy any association is politics, so members should play their politics outside the group and concentrate on their vision and mission.
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Meanwhile, High Chief Enahoro Eta, the Iyasere of Oyede kingdom, Chief Paul John Odhomor, Patron of the IPA, Hon Elder, Emmanuel Egbabor, immediate past Chairman of Isoko North Local Government Council, Mr Blessyn Okpowoe also a Patron of IPA, who was represented by Barr Friday Efetie, and Deacon Martins Okeoghene Ugbegwo all commended members of IPA over the awards they received, kind gestures and humanitarian services rendered towards the growth and development of education in Isoko nation.
Master Anthony Favour Oghenero, who was given an award and a cash prize of #199,000 for inventing a drone and aeroplane, expressed satisfaction and gratitude to members of The Isoko Professionals Association led by their President, Sir Benson Onome Anaro, and stressed that the awards they received will spur them to do more.
Earlier, the President of The Isoko Professionals Association, Sir Benson Onome Anaro said, “It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to this unique occasion of the celebration of the 15th anniversary of The Isoko Professionals Association. You will all agree with me that 15 years is no joke. We see it as a time for sober reflection.
“The association was born at a period of our national life where the word ‘hope’ had almost entirely lost its meaning. The Association therefore could not have come at a better time. As members of The Isoko Professionals Association, we have just one overriding objective, the emancipation of Isoko nation.
“It is no news that the Isoko nation is a minority within the minority of the political entity called Nigeria. Consequently, the Isoko indigene is an endangered species by default. These are plain realities gazing boldly at every Isoko girl, boy child, every Isoko youth, every Isoko adult male and female, every Isoko employee, every Isoko entrepreneur, every Isoko politician. Obviously, no one is exempted.”
He further said, “The theme for our 15th anniversary is therefore carefully selected for us to gather in our native soil, to reflect as a people on our many and various challenges and chart a progressive and sustainable way forward.”
