By Donald Ekpo, Akwa Ibom State
"For as long as the Old Eastern region
remain in disarray and not united, self-determination of the region will remain
impossible." ~ An anonymous retired Nigerian Army Chief
The word “South-South,” even though
it may sound absurd, is a name we have come to accept as a people. We can’t say exactly
how we came about to be identified with the name neither can we say exactly
when we were given the name, but we just know it is our name. While growing up
back in the days, geography taught us about “the North,” “the South,” “The East” and “The West.” For proper definition of
locations, we were also told about “The Northwest, NorthEast, Southwest and SouthEast” I can’t remember
anything like the “NorthNorth”, “SouthSouth”, “EastEast” or Westwest , but here I am today, writing a letter to my
South-South brethren. That is what happens to a people that are not in control
of their Cultural Development or the Political and Economic Future.