Isoko
Encyclopedia
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
).
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.
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, Emevor; Saint Joseph's Teacher's College, Ozoro; Saint Michael's College Oleh; Bribina Grammar School, Ozoro, and several more. Post-secondary schools include a campus of the Delta State University at Oleh and a Polytechnic at Ozoro.
Delta State
Delta State may refer to:*Delta State, a state in southern Nigeria.*Delta State , a Canadian animated television series.*Delta State University, a public university located in the U.S. state of Mississippi....
in southern Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
and is inhabited by an ethnic group of the same name, the Isoko people
Isoko people
Isoko people are an ethnolinguistic group that inhabits the Isoko region of Delta State, Nigeria.-Isoko Land:The Isoko Land is one of the most densely populated areas in Nigeria, with about 300 persons per square kilometre compared with the average of 198 for Delta State and 130 for Nigeria...
. The region is divided into two Local Government Areas, Isoko North
Isoko North
Isoko North is one of two Local Government Areas in the Isoko region of Delta State, southern Nigeria – the other being Isoko South. The population of Isoko North was approximately 112,000 as of 2003. Its headquarters are in the town of Ozoro...
(headquartered at Ozoro
Ozoro
Ozoro is the headquarters of the Isoko North Local Government Area, one of the two administrative units in the Isoko region of Delta State, southern Nigeria.-Politics and Government:...
) and Isoko South
Isoko South
Isoko South is a Local Government Area in the Isoko region of Delta State, Nigeria. With its headquarters at Oleh, Nigeria, it is one of the two local governments that make up the Isoko region. The other is Isoko North, which has its headquarters at Ozoro.Clans inhabiting Isoko South include the...
(headquartered at Oleh
Oleh, Nigeria
Oleh is the headquarters of the Isoko South Local Government Area, one of the two administrative units in the Isoko region of Delta State, southern Nigeria.-Politics and Government:...
).
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.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:
|
Idheze Idheze Irri is one of the towns in the Isoko South Local Government area of Delta State, Nigeria.The town has an estimated population of about 14,500 inhabitants. The area is surrounded by swampland.... Igbuku Founded on the shores of the River Ase, Igbuku is one of the last Isoko towns sharing a common boundary with the UkwuaniKwale speaking areas of Delta State, Nigeria. Igbuku shares a common boundary with Ofagbe, Ovrode, Ibrede, Aboh, and Ashaka... |
Ofagbe Ofagbe is a town about 10 miles East South of Ozoro, the headquarter of the Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria... Oleh, Nigeria Oleh is the headquarters of the Isoko South Local Government Area, one of the two administrative units in the Isoko region of Delta State, southern Nigeria.-Politics and Government:... Orie Orie is a village of approximately 3,000 people, and located in the Isoko South local government area of Delta state, Nigeria. It is also called Orie-Irri because its inhabitants are generally believed to have originally migrated from Irri town... |
Oyede Oyede is a town in the Isoko North Local Government Area in Delta State, Nigeria.The town's schools include Egbeniame Primary School and Comprehensive High School Oyede. Enuto, Ofagbe and Ubieni are among the quarters in Oyede.... Ozoro Ozoro is the headquarters of the Isoko North Local Government Area, one of the two administrative units in the Isoko region of Delta State, southern Nigeria.-Politics and Government:... Uzere -Government:Monarchy,OvieUzere formerly known as "Uzei" is located in the Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State of Nigeria. It has become one of the largest petroleum oil producing communities in Nigeria. Oil exploration started in Uzere in 1957. Uzere has two oil fields with a total... |
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)
Royal Dutch Shell
Royal Dutch Shell plc , commonly known as Shell, is a global oil and gas company headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands and with its registered office in London, United Kingdom. It is the fifth-largest company in the world according to a composite measure by Forbes magazine and one of the six...
, 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.Transport
Popular mode of transport is the motorcycle and bicycle. Inter-city travel is by bus or car.Education
Several secondary schools and post-secondary schools exist in the region. The Isoko people know the value of education and encourage their young 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, Emevor; Saint Joseph's Teacher's College, Ozoro; Saint Michael's College Oleh; Bribina Grammar School, Ozoro, and several more. Post-secondary schools include a campus of the Delta State University at Oleh and a Polytechnic at Ozoro.