BY DAPO AKINREFON

MR. Vaughan Okpokoro is the National Coordinator of Okugbe Isoko Initiative, a pressure group in Delta State, geared towards ensuring that the Isoko nation is recognized. In this interview, he bares his mind on why the Isoko nation should no longer be marginalized by both the Federal and Delta State governments. Okpokoro, who is also a Nollywood film producer, explains why it is imperative for government to shift its attention from oil to agriculture as sources of income. Excerpts:

Some critics of the Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan have faulted him for failing for swear-in caretaker committees for the local government areas in the state. What is your take on this?

I am not going to hold brief for the governor. When the governor dissolved the last executive of the local government areas, the intention actually was that there should be a caretaker committee. But I guess that what is holding government back is the over head cost.

I have heard say severally that it costs so much money to run a state, putting into consideration the over head cost. And so, it becomes a little burden on government to take on such a heavy expenditure putting into consideration so many other things government is doing.

Right now, the local governments are been run by HPMs (Head of Personnel) and it is not as if anybody enjoys it, but I think that the governor is taking measures to cut his spending so that he can put some of these things in place. In Delta state, people are gearing for the local government elections and so, the caretaker committee may not work again.

Would you say developments have spread across the state because some ethnic nationalities are already crying foul that developments have not reached them?

Mr. Vaughan Okpokoro

The Delta State government is doing a lot, but they still need to do more. I have seen some of the things government is doing and I can say they are mega projects. Why I appreciate some of the things government is doing is because I have gone round some of these projects. Take for instance, government is renovating about 50 schools and building 10 modern schools in each of the local government areas.

Having said, what do you think the state government should do to alleviate the plight of people are the grassroot?

Apart from what government is doing in the area of infrastructural, which I commend. I think government should be more proactive. Government is trying to ensure that everyone in the state is empowered one way or the other, but I think it is a gradual thing.

What other areas should government look into to create job and perhaps fund for the economy, because there have been so much dependence on oil?

Let me say in another 50 years, most of the oil wells Nigeria has will dry up. I think it is not fair for Nigerians to be dependant on oil and gas because in another 50 years, we will be looking for what will sustain our economy.

We should go back to agriculture. Government, both at the state and federal level, should look at agriculture and that is why I applaud President Jonathan’s appointment of the Minister for Agriculture. He is bent on revamping the cocoa trade in Nigeria and if he is allowed to work, I am sure it will be better for the country.

Government should also try as much as possible to encourage and revamp industries in Nigeria. We can take a cue from China. I also believe that government has allowed people to be lazy because they believe there is free money. There is a lot to be done by government.

What is the Okugbe Isoko Initiative all about?

Okugbe Isoko means the unity of Isoko. The Isokos have contributed so much to the economy of not only Delta State but Nigeria. I know that during the civil war, when every other place was shutdown, the oil from Isoko land was used to drive the economy of Nigeria. And so, Isoko land has contributed so much but despite all our contributions, the Isokos are marginalized. We have not gotten back what we put into the Nigerian economy and this is in terms of recognition and appointments.

So, we thought that this initiative can unite the Isoko land so that we can have one voice and then speak with one voice to get what we want. But then, before now, there have been some apostles or semblance of unity in Isoko land to let Isokos come together. It has not produced much result. But now, we are coming out to stir the Isoko nation so that politically we can be recognized and get what is due to us.

Are you therefore advocating that an Isoko state be created for you?

It is not possible because we do not have the population to have a state, but we are a people within a given region that should be recognized because we have done so much, we have produced so much. We have everything that it takes to produce the governor of Delta State; we have everything that it takes to produce ministers.

We want both the federal and state governments to recognize that the Isoko nation exists. We have men and women who are schooled and beyond this, we have men and women who can get things done. We are actually asking for what is due us.

To this, there is going to be a lecture to stir up the Isoko nation. Then, there is also going to be an award for those who have contributed to the Isoko nation; we are also looking at illustrious sons and daughters of Isoko land who have excelled in their profession. Come December 22, we shall be honouring some individuals in Isoko land who have done well because we are giving them award for them to come and do more.