Performance, Projects, People: Why Isoko Constituents Are Backing Ukodhiko’s Continuity ~ Truth Reporters

By Lawrence Efeturi

In many communities across Isoko North and South today, discussions about representation in the House of Representatives are no longer centred only on campaign promises. Increasingly, people refer to projects they can see, programmes that have reached their communities, and opportunities that have already touched the lives of residents across the constituency.

Since assuming office in 2023, Rep. Jonathan Ajirioghene Ukodhiko has combined legislative activity in Abuja with constituency interventions aimed at addressing practical needs at the grassroots. His efforts have covered infrastructural support, education initiatives, healthcare outreach, youth empowerment, and social welfare programmes.

Several infrastructure projects facilitated within the constituency have already been completed. Solar-powered streetlights have been installed in communities including Eniagbedhi, Erawha, Owodokpokpo, Ada Irri, Canna, Ekreze Owhe, and parts of Oleh, helping to improve security and extend economic activity in those areas.

Importantly, the distribution of the solar lighting projects followed a ward-based structure across the constituency. All twenty-four wards in Isoko North and South received not less than forty-five units of solar streetlights. In communities with more than one ward, the installations were multiplied accordingly, meaning some areas benefitted two or three times based on their ward structure. This ensured that the projects were spread across the entire constituency rather than concentrated in only a few locations.

Educational facilities have also received attention. A block of six classrooms was constructed and furnished at Owodokpokpo Grammar School, while additional classrooms and staff facilities were completed at Odueni Grammar School in Olomoro. School desks were also supplied to several schools including Ogu Primary School in Otor Igho, Emiye Girls Grammar School in Oleh, and Alaka Grammar School in Ozoro.

Healthcare support has equally reached several communities. Medical equipment has been supplied to Primary Health Centres in Isi Emevor, Otor Igho, Okpe Isoko, Edherie, and Orie to strengthen healthcare delivery at the grassroots.

More recently, a medical outreach programme facilitated in collaboration with the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, and Abeam Global Resources Ltd provided free health screening services for eye conditions, sickle cell, cervical cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. The outreach took place at Central Hospital Oleh and General Hospital Ozoro, providing access to essential medical screening for residents.

Human capital development has also featured strongly in the lawmaker’s constituency initiatives.

Hundreds of youths and women across the constituency have benefited from skill acquisition programmes covering areas such as ICT training, soap production, tailoring, photography, web design, tiling, and other vocational skills.

Many participants in these programmes received start-up grants ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦250,000 to enable them to establish small businesses and pursue independent livelihoods.

Agricultural support programmes have also reached local farmers through the distribution of fertilisers, training support aimed at improving agricultural productivity, and distribution of farm inputs and grants ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦500,000.

Education support has equally remained a priority. Hundreds of students benefited from free JAMB registration and CBT preparation training designed to improve their chances of gaining admission into higher institutions.

One of the most notable education interventions has been the award of full tuition scholarships to eleven students, with ten studying professional courses at Madonna University and the last one still in primary school. The beneficiaries were drawn from different communities across Isoko North and South.

The scholarship beneficiaries include:

(i) Lucky Triumph Oghenero - Oleh, Civil Engineering

(ii) Areh John - Ozoro, Law

(iii) Amofagi Oghenewhome Akpevweoghene - Olomoro, Medicine and Surgery

(iv) Oyovwe Emmanuel Elooghene - Emevor, Medicine and Surgery

(v) Ewhotera Joy Oghenekome - Ofagbe, Doctor of Pharmacy

(vi) Jombo Egbaoghene Favour - Aviara, Pharmacy

(vii) Abriku Iruoghene Victor - Ellu, Software Engineering

(viii) Oniovosa Deborah Oghenekome - Iyede, Medicine and Surgery

(ix) Efiafia Ogheneovie Ewomazino - Irri, Law

(x) Okiroro Excel Onoraro - Irri, Computer Engineering.

(xi) Master INWE OGHENETANO

Clan: Emevor

Started from Primary 2 and will end at University Level (Currently at Pri. 4)

Significantly, none of the beneficiaries are related to the lawmaker, nor are they drawn from his immediate political support base. The spread of beneficiaries across different communities reflects an effort to ensure that educational opportunities reach young people from different parts of the constituency.

Legislatively, Rep. Ukodhiko has also remained active in the National Assembly. He currently serves as the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Science and Technology and has sponsored several bills aimed at bringing federal institutions closer to the constituency.

These include proposed legislation for the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Oleh, a Federal University of Agriculture in Erawha Owhe, and a Federal College of Education (Technical) in Oleh.

In addition, he recently facilitated a sensitisation programme with the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for students of Southern Delta University in Ozoro and Delta State University Oleh Campus.

The program, attended by the Managing Director of NELFUND and his management team, provided students with information on how to access the Federal Government’s education loan program.

During that program, the management of Southern Delta University commended Rep. Ukodhiko for setting up a student registration center within the school for Nelfund registration last year that took their numbers from an initial 200 beneficiaries to over 1,200 beneficiaries afterward.

Taken together, these interventions reflect a combination of legislative engagement and constituency development efforts aimed at expanding opportunities for residents of Isoko North and South.

As the next electoral cycle approaches, many constituents say the debate should be guided less by political noise and more by measurable results. In their view, when representation is already delivering visible impact across communities, continuity becomes not just a political preference but a practical decision for the collective progress of the constituency.

Lawrence Efeturi

The Insight Pen.