Member representing Isoko North/South Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Jonathan Ukodhiko, has identified disunity as a major problem affecting the development of Isoko ethnic-nationality.
The House of Representatives member made the assertion on Tuesday, when he received the Executive Members of the Abuja chapter of the Isoko Ministers’ Forum (IMF) led by Pastor Emmanuel Odezah.
According to him, “Personally, I think the unity of Isoko is important because no nation can grow without unity. Show me a nation that’s at war, I will tell you it’s because of lack of unity. Tell me a family that’s not organized, it is because of disunity.”
The Isoko Federal lawmaker identified conflicting political interests as causes of disunity and bane of the growth and political development of Isoko.
In his words, “Isoko has a tremendous number of human capital resources and natural resources, but despite these resources, educational background and our exposure, Isoko still remain backward because of disunity and envy.
“Show me a place or a nation that develops without a central leader, but in Isoko, everybody wants to be leader and nobody wants to be answerable to anybody and, by so doing, our perchant for pulling down our best has been on the increase.
“Our people derive great pleasure from doing things that continue to promote the possibilities of pulling down their finest and brightest.
“Isoko is supposed to be a leading light and a place of prosperity in Nigeria. This is so, because Isoko is the only nation where God has revealed Himself through the Bible falling down at Araya in Isoko South Local Government Area.
“I tell people that if Isoko as an ethnic group continued to be disunited politically and socio-culturally because of inordinate ambitions and parochial interests, we might go into extinction politically and Socio-culturally in the future.” He stated.
Hon. Ukodhiko enjoined the Isoko political class, religious and cultural leaders, groups and associations to be united for a common cause regardless of parties, creed or religious interests.
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“For us as a nation to move forward despite the enormous resources God has given us, we must be united because without unity we cannot move forward.
“It is very important that we must continue to intercede for Isoko Nation, Delta State and Nigeria as a body of Christ, and encourage our people to eschew all forms of activities that promote disunity which is one of the ingredients of underdevelopment.”
Speaking further, Hon. Ukodhiko who is the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Science and Technology reiterated his commitment to positively touching the lives of the people, which he said, are his main purpose at the National Assembly.
He appreciated the members of the Abuja chapter of the Isoko Ministers’ Forum for the commitment to the unity and cohesion of Isoko nation and for their support and prayers to those in political authority, calling for more prayers.
Speaking earlier, Pastor Emmanuel Odezah, who is the Head of the Isoko Ministers Forum in Abuja, thanked Hon. Jonathan Ukodhiko for granting them audience, and for the good work he has been doing to uplift the Isoko people.
“Sir, we are here today to congratulate you on your electoral victory and inauguration, and to formally intimate you about the Isoko Minister’s Forum in Abuja. The forum is registered with CAC and our core mandate is the promotion of peace and unity for Isoko Nation through prayers and kingdom work.
“We also want to commend you for your developmental strides in Isoko, especially for the recent scholarship which you awarded to 10 deserving brilliant Isoko students from various clans in Isoko.
“It is only a politician with a heart of service and humility that will do all that you are doing. Do not be weary in uplighting our people of Isoko Federal Constituency.” Pst. Odezah added.
