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| Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro |
ISOKO ethnic group or (nationality) otherwise known as “Isoko nation” would be fifty one years on 7 October, 2014 having being officially recognized in 1963.
The Isoko ethnic group was not known or recognized until 7 October 1963 when it was officially liberated and recognized culturally, linguistically and administratively in an emancipation campaign struggle started in1952 and actualized in 1963 by Chief James Ekpre Augustine Otobo and since then Isoko as one of Nigeria ethnic group has come to stay and recognized.
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| Late James Ekpre |
It is pertinent to note that before 1963 the Isoko ethnic group was known as Eastern Urhobo and it was Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) that sponsored the election of Chief James Otobo into the Western House of Assembly in December 1951. The Isoko Development Union (IDU) in 1990 under the leadership of Chief P.W. Omonoseh as (President-General) and Vincent Omorie as (Secretary General) proclaimed and commemorated October 7 as “lsoko Day” and to be observed in every five years. At the inaugural ceremony “merit awards” were conferred on distinguished Isoko personalities and Chief Otobo was the first recipient.
A lot of Isoko people would be astonished why such long intervals of 27 years between the actualization of the event in 1963 and its observance in 1990. It is very sad to note that since then all IDU successive administration has not been able to keep on with that date to showcase the Isoko culture to the outside world as it is, Looking at the importance of culture and language.
It has been observed and agreed the world over that “there is no genetically superiority of one culture over the other, making every culture distinct from each other while language is the vehicle of a people that conveys the peoples culture transcribing the individual identity.” The individual identity here is Isoko which must be promoted and projected to the outside world. This required a collective effort of all Isoko people. I appeal to the IDU leadership to live up to expectation by reviving the Isoko language and culture because both are gradually facing extinction.
Every October “7” will remain evergreen and significance in the minds of Isoko people whether celebrated or not because it is a day the Isoko ethnic group officially got recognition linguistically and administratively and whether good or bad the Isokos had strived to make a distinction for themselves.
The question now is, 51 years on the line, have the lsokos made any progress as an ethnic group?
Before I will get reactions in view of the above question, there is need to say that, though we are not where we envisaged, the lsokos has made steady progress compared to other ethnic groups in Nigeria in terms of infrastructural development and human capacity development. In view of the above our focus would be placed on Delta State Polytechnic and the current Rector, Dr. Oboreh.
Delta State Polytechnic Ozoro
The Delta State Polytechnic Ozoro was among the four tertiary institutions established by law enacted by the State Government on November 12, 2002 during the administration of the then Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe lbori who saw education as key to development. The State Government primary objective was its desire to meet the yearnings of Deltans for acquisition of qualitative education which was not being satisfied by the existing institutions owned by Federal and State Government. Since then the school has thrive successfully to remain one of the best among its contemporaries.
One thing that has gone well for the Delta State Polytechnic Ozoro is their foresight and quality leadership from inception as one of the sterling quality doing the magic for the institution.
From inception till date, the Delta State Polytechnic Ozoro has been managed by three rectors among whom are Dr. Mike Lasisi Osaji 2002-2007, Professor Bernard O. Ejechi 2007-2011 while the current Rector Dr. J. S. Oboreh who is our major focus was appointed in 2012 till date.
The man Oboreh
Dr. Jacob Snapps Oboreh was born 50 years ago. He started his academic career in the defunct Ozoro Polytechnic in 1984 and was absorbed into Auchi Polytechnic following the closure of Ozoro Polytechnic. In 1986 Dr. Oboreh obtained his National Diploma (ND) in Business Administration at distinction level. Between 1987 and 1989, Oboreh obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Business Administration from the Federal Polytechnic llaro in Ogun State. Dr. Oboreh later got his Masters degree in Business Administration from Southland University, California USA, in 1996.
In 2001, in order to realize his full academic potentials, Dr. Oboreh enrolled for a PhD programme in business management with specialization in operations research and by 2007, Dr. Oboreh obtained his PhD in Business Management (Operations Research) from Delta State University, Abraka.
Dr. Oboreh who is an associate professor, was the Head of Department, Business Administration, Delta State University Abraka until his appointment on March 28, 2012 as Rector of Delta State Polytechnic Ozoro.
Dr. Oboreh has over 75 research publications to his credit in his area of specialization, is a Fellow of the Institute of Administrative Managers of Nigeria (F.INST.AM), Member United States Academy of Management (MUSAM) and also member, North East Business and Economics Association (NEBEA) USA.
The Delta State Polytechnic Ozoro in the last two years under the leadership of Dr. Oboreh
Dr. Oboreh has made giant strides in the areas of provisions of infrastructural facilities across the entire institution.
Dr. Oboreh has been able to prove to the Isoko people in the last two years that leadership is about serving the people because a visit to Delta State Polytechnic Ozoro will convince you of his administrative quality impacted on the institution.
The man Oboreh has been described as a man who is highly respected and esteemed by the polytechnic community because in the last two years as Chief Pilot of the institution because there has been overwhelmed peace, justice and tremendous development in all departments of the entire polytechnic community.
Looking at the successes recorded so far within a space of two years by Dr. Oboreh, it was no news flattery at all when the Delta Governor visited the polytechnic in their 1st combined convocation ceremony held on the 12 July, 2014 and which was reported by the Guardian newspaper of July 31, 2014, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan commended Dr. Oboreh for prudently and judiciously using the Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) base to develop about 30 infrastructural projects within two years is something every right thinking person should associate himself/herself with. He said.
A school of thought had argued that since Dr. Oboreh has done credibly well with the meager resources available to him within a short period of two years, it means, if given higher responsibility he (Oboreh) will perform wonders and added that the likes of Dr. Oboreh should be the kind of personality to be scouted for in our future endeavours.
There is need to highlight some of the completed projects embarked on in the institution in the last two years under the leadership of Dr. Jacobs Oboreh. They include the polytechnic Information Communication Technology centre (ICT) with 180 computers and internet facilities. Information Communication Laboratory (ICL) with 140 computers and accessories, 32 computers in the Department of Accountancy, four lectures theatres with 480 capacity each for the department of Business Administration, entrepreneurial centre building, four lectures theatres with 420 seating capacity each for the Department of Banking and Finance while other projects are on-going.
These are some of the projects executed by Dr. Oboreh
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