Ukodhiko And The Call For Isoko Investment Coy ~ Truth Reporters

By IKODUDU KINGSLEY

A sneak peep into the political wish list of Pastor Jonathan Ajirioghene Ukodhiko which he christened "Compendium of My Political Action Plan", will show you one of the action plans which is conspicuously written on number seven of the excerpts provided; "the establishment of Isoko Investment Coy Plc".

Ukodhiko a foremost industrialist, a trained engineer from the prestigious University of Benin, Uniben, and the PDP HOR Candidate for Isoko Federal Constituency, has laid bare before his people a formidable political wish list, one that has prompted inquiries from some well-meaning Isoko sons and daughters on how to accomplish item number seven. Item number(7) on the Political Action Plan excerpts which were previously released; is the Creation of Isoko Investment Coy.

In a recent meeting with his media team in his Otor-Igho residence, Ukodhiko explained that "the idea to create an Isoko Investment Coy, in collaboration with other isoko sons and daughters was conceived by me, after I attended one of the dinner programmes of the Odua Investment Company Limited, in Lagos. I was excited and astounded by the number of assets owned and controlled by the Odua Investment Company, an Investment company owned and managed by the six western states of Nigeria. Namely; Ogun, Osun, Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti, and Oyo States".

"The Odua Investment Company Limited was founded in 1976, as a result of the creation of the 3 States of Ogun, Ondo, and Oyo from the Old Western State, to take over the sundry investments of the old western state, which was initially under the control of the Western State investment and Credit Company".

"After carefully studying the Odua Investment Company Limited business model, I want to emphasize that the Isoko people can replicate it by utilizing the financial resources of wealthy Isoko sons and daughters who are well-connected and positioned in the corporate world".

"The number six of my Political Action plan is entwined with the number seven; as the triumph of the number six will act as a catalyst for the birth of the number seven. The Isoko Investment Coy is not something that will be Government driven but will be steered and directed by individual investors based on equity and shares under the Private Partnership Ownership system".

"Business hubs will be developed around the areas where we will have the gas turbines once we are successful in our efforts to get them installed in Isoko land, something the Uzere community is already doing, and private investors will be encouraged and given the enabling environment to operate their businesses in Isoko, under the Isoko Investment Coy, with profits shared based on investment shares and equity".

"I've decided to steer the initiative, and I'll also provide funding to start the first company to operate under the Isoko Investment Coy. It is a programme that will only be run by private partnerships, not by the government. Since the government cannot help everyone find jobs, we must assist our people in this area", Ukodhiko added.

The bold proposal by Ukodhiko to create an Isoko Investment Company under a private partnership model is an audacious one that will need the support, participation, and teamwork of Isoko's elite and financial classes, regardless of their political views and inclinations.

The Odua Investment Company has about six(6) major subsidiaries and other associated companies where it controls 50-70% of the investment shares. With determination and the support of all, Isoko can replicate the Odua Investment Company prototype, under the Private Partnership Ownership arrangement, for effective and efficient management when established.

The conceptualization of the initiative by Ukodhiko is a laudable one; one that is bold and timely, but whether it will be achieved and not made moribund from the conception stage, is greatly dependent on a lot of factors that will be predominantly man-made, as a result of political inclination.

The establishment of the Isoko Investment Coy, shouldn't be seen as a political adventure that should be left for Ukodhiko alone to embark on, it's an audacious call, one that calls for collective involvement and collaboration of Isoko elitist and financially independent classes, to make it work.

If given all the backing they require from their people, men with great ideas may make a difference in a time of great difficulty. Let's vote for Ukodhiko in the general election so that this amazing and brilliant concept of his can come to fruition.