Isoko region

Isoko is a region of Delta State in southern Nigeria and is inhabited by an ethnic group of the same name, the Isoko people. The region is divided into two Local Government Areas, Isoko North (headquartered at Ozoro) and Isoko South (headquartered at Oleh).

History

This region used to be a part of the defunct "Mid-West Region". It later became part of Bendel State, before Bendel State was split to form Edo and Delta states.

Geography and climate

Location

The Isoko region is located in Delta State of modern Nigeria.

Local climatic conditions

Isoko region is in the tropical rain forest area of the Niger-delta. The region experiences high rainfall and high humidity most of the year. The climate is equatorial and is marked by two distinct seasons. the dry and rainy seasons. The dry season lasts from about November to April and is significantly marked by the cool "harmarttan" dusty haze from the north-east winds. The rainy season spans May to October with a brief dry spell in August.

Towns in Isoko

Some major towns in Isoko region are:

Economy

The main economic activity is food crop farming. And the staple food crops include cassava and yams. There is also the widespread production of palm oil and palm kernels. Limited amount of hunting and fishing is also done. Women form a large proportion of the farming population. They also engage in trade of food crops for cash to meet other basic household needs. On market days, it is common to see Isoko women peddling their assorted goods around neighboring villages.

Cassava is the source of most of the foods consumed by the Isoko people. Garri, starch meal (Ozi), Egu are cassava derivatives.

Food crop production has been declining rapidly recently. This has been largely attributed to soil damage resulting from frequent crude oil spills from pipelines belonging to some of the major oil producing companies (including Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), whose pipeline network transverse the landscape). This has led to large-scale frustrations with Shell Petroleum Development Company, and has resulted in skirmishes and, recently, kidnappings for ransom in some neighboring communities.

Demographics

There is no definitive population census figure on the region of Isoko and, indeed, most of Nigeria. The various Nigerian census figures have been controversial and are deemed unsupportable.[1]

Religion

The Isoko people are predominantly Christians. Traditional worship still thrives despite the strong onslaught of Christian principles. "Ọghẹnẹ" is the word for God. Although it can be generally termed as traditional religion, there are however some practices that are peculiar to some Isoko community. For instance in the town of Emevor, some important festivals like "Idhu and Owhoru" which are celebrated annually and biannually.

Transport

Popular mode of transport is the motorcycle and bicycle. Inter-city travel is by bus or car.

Education

Several secondary schools and postsecondary schools exist in the region. The Isoko people know the value of education and encourage their young ones to attend school. The Isoko people have been known to be very passionate about location of education infrastructure in their communities, believing it is a mark of progress.

Early emphasis was on teacher-training schools and this led to a glut of teachers in the community. This is rapidly changing as opportunities offered by other professions are recognized.

Major post-primary educational institutions in the region include Notre Dame College, Ozoro; James Welch Grammar School [Best school in the Isoko land], Emevor; Saint Joseph's Teacher's College, Ozoro; Saint Michael's College Oleh; Anglican Grammar School, Ozoro, Ofagbe Technical College, Ofagbe, and several more. Post-secondary schools include a campus of the Delta State University at Oleh and the Delta State Polytechnic at Ozoro.

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References
  1. Jones, G. I.; Otite, Onigu (1975). "Autonomy and Dependence: The Urhobo Kingdom of Okpe in Modern Nigeria". The International Journal of African Historical Studies. 8: 135. doi:10.2307/217692. JSTOR 217692.
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