By Oreva Godwin
Today’s article is brief but it contains a direct message. A wake-up call. A cry for change. Isoko South is asleep and our silence is killing the future.
I am not a politician. Do I aspire to be one? Yes. But for now, permit me to speak as an independent voter, someone free to speak her mind without being partisan or losing her voice.
There’s a lot of freedom in being nonpartisan. Freedom of speech. But being a party person has its benefits too, especially if you have the guts to stand up to your godfathers and preserve your integrity and do what is right. I learnt it’s impossible to speak the truth with the political ideology in place in Nigeria. But I dare say we can change the narrative.
So why am I saying all these? As an Isoko woman, born and raised in Calabar, I have much to say about my people. The typical Isoko person is used to certain patterns; patterns I could never blend into, because I wasn’t raised among them. I often feel different. Like I don’t belong.
In Calabar, it was rare to come across an Isoko person. Among the non-indigenes, the Igbos dominated. I craved connection to meet my people, to know them. I had a loving father, kind, generous, and full of heart. Because of him, I once dreamt of marrying an Isoko man.
I was delusional. Little did I know that my dad was very different from the typical Isoko men. Perhaps because he was born and raised in the South West.
In 2020, I relocated to Delta State with hope. I came to meet my people and do good for them. But what I encountered was what we call in government: “decentralization.” Not in policy, but in human structure. We are divided. Fragmented. Disconnected.
Isoko South LGA lacks unity and love. The sooner we admit this, the better for us all. Is it the same in Isoko North? Not quite. In Isoko South, the division is alarming. It’s every man for himself. We are one in words but not in the heart.
And that, right there, is why Isoko South remains underdeveloped. What is wealth if you can’t share it with your people? What are opportunities if you pass them on to outsiders while your people suffer?
We are blessed with powerful, influential individuals. But are they celebrated among us? No. It’s outsiders who praise them. Within Isoko South, we criticize them, remain silent about their impact, or pretend not to see them. Yet when those same names are mentioned elsewhere, they are honored and respected.
There seems to be a belief among many Isoko people: “Family is family, they’ll love you regardless. So focus on outsiders to avoid trouble.” That’s a toxic mindset. That’s what’s holding us back.
Look at the 2022 House of Reps primaries. See how united Isoko North was. They came together and chose one candidate. But in Isoko South? Everyone wanted to run. No one stepped down for the other. The result? Division, shame, and a lost opportunity.
We showed the world how fragmented we are. Still, there was one moment I felt proud, especially of my hometown, Aviara and that was during the senatorial election. I saw unity. I saw passion. I saw people say, “Enough is enough. We need a voice.” That unity? That fire? That’s what we need more now. ”
So I ask again: When will we humble ourselves and do what’s right?
When will our politicians put the people before their pockets? When will the so-called philanthropists invest in their own people instead of just promoting smiles during campaigns?
It’s time for Isoko politicians to stop this political eye-service, showing love only when they need votes. Hiring crowds with ₦2,000 (now upgraded to ₦5,000) to fill event centers. Using us for a show and then dumping us afterwards.
We are not puppets. We must say NO to eye-service politicians, who lack vision and intellectual capacity to lead us forward. Who comes, not to create development, but to maintain underdevelopment.
Year after year, Isoko remains the same. The only thing that changes is the government in power. Isn’t it time we embraced real change? Isn’t it time we demanded more?
The hatred among ourselves is heartbreaking. So many of our people would rather ask strangers for help than trust their own kin. Why?
As an Isoko woman, I’ve felt the stigma. I’ve met people who instantly dislike me just because I say I’m Isoko. I’ve had fellow Isoko people stop smiling at me the moment I tell them I’m their sister, all because of how badly we’ve hurt each other over time.
Still, I try hard to change that narrative. Not every Isoko person is bad. But truth be told, the generation before us have failed us. They failed the good people of Isoko. But I refuse to be ashamed of being an Isoko woman. I remain a proud Isoko woman.
This article is for my generation and the one after. Do not fail. Open your heart. Love one another. Fight for one another. Give generously. Live a life of service. Think differently. Bring innovation to your community.
Let’s change the story. Let’s break this toxic cycle. We were not born bad. We chose this path. But we can reject it and rewrite our destiny.
Let’s be the new Isoko; the one with vision. The one with heart. The one with purpose. Let’s be our brother’s keeper.
Let’s rise together.
Isoko, we can do better. And we will.
