By Eseoghene Emuke
The Managing Director of Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Bashorun Askia Ogieh, has charged the new President-General of Isoko Development Union (IDU), Professor Chris Akpotu, to see his emergence as the leader of the Isoko apex body worldwide as a call to service.
Bashorun Askia told the new IDU President that the people of Isoko ethnic nationality worldwide are looking towards him to navigate and journey them through the many challenges which are currently bedeviling Isoko Nation.
He also called on him to build bridges of peace among warring Isoko communities in the interest of development and growth.
Akpotu, a professor at the Niger Delta University in Bayelsa State, emerged IDU new President-General following the expiration of the tenure of the former IDU PG, Chief Iduh Amadhe.
IDU is the apex socio-cultural body of the Isoko people worldwide.
The DESOPADEC MD in a statement challenged the new IDU leader to use his office to address the myriad of issues including development, politics, culture and tradition currently facing the Isoko Nation.
Askia, while congratulating Prof. Akpotu on his election and subsequently inauguration as the President-General IDU, assured him that DESOPADEC, an interventionist agency for oil bearing communities in Delta State, would partner his committee for the development of Isokoland.
“First, the seamless process of the conduct of the election in a peaceful and convivial manner demonstrated the fact the Isoko people look up to you to navigate them through the intriguing challenges that lie ahead in terms of development, politics, culture and tradition, and the role of Isoko people in the dynamics of national politics.
“Secondly, I am intrigued with your rich pedigree in innovation and inventiveness, being an internationally acclaimed scholar and researcher in Entrepreneurial Economics and Human Resources, an area DESOPADEC is pursuing with an extra vigour”, Askia stated.
While expressing joy on Prof. Akpotu’s emergence, he further charged the IDU President to lead without fear, even, as he urged him to tackle the issue of marginalisation of Isoko people with every vigor to ensure that they fairly treated.
The DESOPADEC boss added, “I am very excited about what the future holds for the Isoko people under your leadership in the coming years. Bestowed on you is an onerous task and I would therefore implore you to be the fearless, innovative and assertive leader that would project the Isoko nation in the light of our peculiar deprivations.
“I urge you to tackle without rest, every form of marginalisation being suffered by every son and daughter of Isoko land.
“Let me assure you that the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission will continue to partner and cooperate with the leadership of Isoko Development Union to ensure that justifiable and fair due of Isoko nation are accomplished at all times. My office is open to all collaborative efforts geared towards this end.
“Development thrives better in areas devoid of rancor and where peace reigns and, therefore, one of your major tasks would be to ensure the continued collective unity and tranquility in Isoko land.”
