NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE SOUTH-SOUTH REGION OF NIGERIA.

Preambles: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,

saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil to give

you an expected end” Jeremiah 29:11. KJV.

The needs and aspirations of the people of the South-SoutH

Region of Nigeria are not different from the plan of God

foR mankind. In the above scriptures, the LORD says, His plan

for us is peace and not of evil or calamity, so as to give us a

hope and a better future.However from the beginning of the Independence of Nigeria, the people of the South-South

Region have been suffering from economic and political marginalisation. So many factors have been responsible for

this.

These includes:

1. The divide and rule structure of our colonial master, the British.
2. Disunity among the people of the South-South.
3. Lack of political will of the people of the South-South to form a formidable political party for the region, like the Northerners, the South-West and South-East.
4. Oppression of the people of the South-South by the other regional groups.
5. The intervention of the Military in the act of governance.
6. The parochial attitude of the people of the South-South. For example the unfriendly attitude between the Ijaws and the Itsekiris.
7. The selfish interest of those in leadership positions in the South-South.

The Struggle for Freedom and Justice.

Several individuals from the South-South had fought for the freedom and

justice of the people

These includes:

1. Late Chief Dappa Biriye.
2. Late Chief Melford Okilo.
3. Late Major Isaac Adaka Boro.
4. Late Mrs Margret Ekpo.
5. Late Mr Ken Saro Wiwa.
6. Chief EK Clarke.
7. Others.

The Needs and Aspirations.

Basically the needs and aspirations of the people of the South-South Region

are not different from those of other regions. However, the rights of those

from the South-South have most of the time been suppressed by those in

authority. These rights includes:

1. Right to attain higher positions of authority.

2. Right to own an oil block.

3. Right to live in peace.

4. Right to speak freely without been intimidated.

5. Right to economic empowerment.

6. Right to good infrastructural development.

7. Right to clean environment. Most of our rivers have been badly polluted

due to oil spillage.

Conclusion: Nobody will give the people of the South-South Region the rights

that we truly desire. The South-South people have got to fight for their rights.

South-South people it is time to fight for your right by standing together and

advocating vigorously for your rights without violence. God bless you.