The Isoko People Of Delta State : Facts & Factlets

The Isokos are a unique people found in Delta State, the heart of the Niger Delta. It is a district
ethnic group made of nineteen (19) clans with a total of about 2.1 million people[i](personal
opinion)[/i]. Isoko occupies a space of land in South East of Delta State of Nigeria; bounded by
Kwale to the North, Urhobos to the West, Ndokwa Osimili/Aboh to the East; and Ijaws to the
South while the Delta Igbos and Itsekiris are not left out. The Isokos are a peaceful people as
there are no records or history of conflicts or wars between them and their neighbors in the
past. The major occupation of Isoko people are farming, trading, fishing and teaching. They
thirst for education and they are directly progressing in these areas of specialization. It is of
record that today Isokos can be found in most of the sensitive professions in Nigeria like
Lawyers, Accountants, Economists, Engineers, Doctors, Estate Surveyors, Journalists and general
business contractors. Isoko land houses a campus of the Delta State University at Oleh and a
state polytechnic at Ozoro.

The oral history has it that the first group of Isoko ancestors migrated from Benin Kingdom in
about 1600 AD at the same time as the ancestors of Aboh. The ancestors in the first group were
Erowa (the senior) Uzere, and Okpe. Isoko oral history told that the second group led by
ancestors of Iyede left Benin about 1650- 1700 AD during the reign of Oba Ozolua, the Oba of
Benin. After, a short while the ancestors of Ughelli, Ogor and Agbarha- Otor (3 brothers) in
Ughelli North Local Government area followed the trail of Iyede ancestors and settled in their
present sites. Between 1600-1700 AD there were many migrations from Benin kingdom to many
parts of the present Edo and Delta States as a result of incessant internecine wars coupled with
the unbridled wickedness of the princes of Benin Kingdom. There were further migrations by
some of the first and second groups and in some cases their children moved from their parents
settlements to settle in virgin lands.

Most Urhobo historians, linguists and cultural anthropologists are of the opinion that Isoko is but
only a dialect and a cultural unit of Urhobo. In fact, this was upheld by the British that these two
ethnic groups were once referred to as the "Usobo" people, a term largely refuted by both groups.
Later on the Isokos were called the Eastern Urhobos but more on this will be treated later on. Till
now, some people are of the belief that these two ethnic units are but one due to similarities in
culture, language, food and virtually everything. The Isoko and Urhobo names for most items are
mostly the same. They greet the same way ( Urhobos say  Meegwo  and Isokos say  Deegwoo  ),
marriages are in the same tradition, traditional religion and philosophy is akin and even dressing
is the same.   However the Isokos are of a different opinion. The Isoko historians are of the opinion
that most Urhobo clans migrated from their land.
The ancestors of Effurun- Otor in Ughelli local government area, LGA, came from Erowa in Isoko
South LGA, whilst Effurun In Uvwie clan migrated from Effurun- Otor. Ekpan and Ugborikoko
towns moved from Effurun to settle in their present sites.Irri came fom Uzere whilst Oleh and
Agbon clan in Ethiope East LGA migrated from Irri, Agbon consists of Kokori, Okpara , (Inland
and wasterside ) and Eku towns. The present Okpe clan in Urhoboland, i.e in Okpe and Sapele
LGAs migrated from Okpe in Isoko along with Ozoro. Ozoro settled in their present site whilst
Okpe went further to Orerokpe their present settlement. Ofagba clan came from Okpe. Emevor
and Owho clans migrated from Iyede and Ibrede and Iyede- Ame in Ndokwa LGA are direct
descendants of from Iyede to settle in their present sites. Ellu clan, i.e Ellu, Aradhe and Ovrode
are descendants of Owho. The ancestors of Aviara migrated from Benin and came to its present
settlement through the River Niger. The only Isoko community that migrated from Urhoboland
is Olomoro clan which descended from Olomu clan in Ughelli South LGA about 1750-1800 AD.

The ancestors of all the clans in Isoko migrated from Benin with the exception of Igbide,
Okpolo/ Enhwe and Evwrheni now Ughelli South , which came from East of the river Niger, i.e
the present day Anambra, Bayelsa and Rivers states. They came through the river Niger to Isoko
creek (a tributary of river Niger) near Patani, and advanced in land to settle in their present sites.
Late Professor Obaro Ikime elucidated on the historical facts of Isoko nation. Umeh ancestors
came from Onya on the River Niger opposite river Nun, a tributary of river Nun, a tributary of
river Niger and came through Isoko creek near Patani and advanced in land to settle on the
banks of Isoko creek where they are at present. There was further movement of Owhawha
ancestors from Igbide in Isoko South LGA to settle in Jeremi clan, Ughelli South LGA.

The re-migration of people from Isoko to Urhoboland was due to insufficient choice of land for
settlement and also due to constant flooding during rainy season and also due to river Niger
flowing its banks.

Before the advent of the British to the Niger Delta the communities in Isoko were frequently
engaged in conflicts between and amongst themselves owing to disagreements resulting from
ownership of land struggle for crude power to have dominion over others. The salutary point
however, was that wisdom prevailed in the long run, and as a result the leaders initiated and
entered into covenants between themselves to ensure sustainable peace . Some of the
covenants are still in existence today and they are respected by the communities that
covenanted as they were respected in those days. For example, the covenant between Erowa
and Iyede and Aviara is highly respected and feared. It promotes peace and understanding
among the people of these communities; no evil or harm is done to each other under any
circumstances. The one between Igbide and Oyede is also highly respected.

In 1951, the Richards constitution came into operation in Nigeria. The Western Region
Delimitation Commission created two constituencies from Eastern Urhobo Native Authority (NA)
, and elections to the Western House of Assembly were conducted by electoral college system
on individual or personal basis although political parties were behind the candidates. Late Chief
James Otobo from Uzere kingdom for Isoko. Chief Mowarin for the other side of Eastern
Urhobo, NA. They both contested and won their elections to the Western House of Assembly,
Ibadan. Late Chief James Otobo for NCNC and Chief Mowarin for Action Group. At the 1954
general elections, Chief James Otobo again contested, this time under the platform of NCNC
party and won and was returned to the Western house of Assembly. In 1957, Isoko was given a
modicum of Independence of Isoko District Council from Eastern Urhobo. Chief James Otobo
influenced the creation during his tenure as a member representing Isoko at the Western house
of Assembly, Ibadan. This marked the beginning of Isoko as a recognised distinct ethno-linguistic
group as opposed to its previous categorisation as an Urhobo dialect

Some of the highly intelligent and bravery Isoko sons and daughters who have one way
contributed largely to the sustainable development of the region in likes of Chief Ufuoma Edwin
Ozah, Chief (Mrs) Rita Ozah, Hon Raphael Okelezo, Hon Fineboy Dickson,Prince Frank Egbodo,
Hon Benjamin Essien, Chief Paul Eriri, Felida Essi. Otunba Isaac Emiyede, Engr Okpithe Solomon,
Chief Oke Akpojene, Stella Omu, Owho Ovuakporie, Archbishop Apena, Chief John Okih, Evang
Saviour Ede, Cordelia Okpei, Barr Ejaita Otouniyo , Iduh Amadhe , Barr Akporero, Alex
Ogbomudia, Felix Ogbaudu, Ben Oheri, Goodluck Orie, Goodluck Ofehe, Paul odhomor, Hon
Osiga Oghale, Hon Mike Ogwah, hon Obi Eneruvie, Apostle Joseph Ovedhe, Comrade Samuel
Macaulay, Elder Peter Erebi, Prince Obaro Unuafe, who contested for 2011 Delta state
governorship election, Prof Stephen Akpavie, Emmanuel Omojefe who donated #10 million to
recent flood victims in Isoko, Zeb Ejiro, Barr Jonathan Okiogbero and just mention but a few .
Many Isoko sons and daughters have done so well to salvage the region while some still believe
in traditional system of leadership which no longer in vogue. 

Isoko Wadooooooooooo!