– By Onomiguren Agbamu
The South South Writers Forum has sought the support of Ndokwa East Local Government Area towards establishing its headquarters and secretariat in Ukwuani land.
The forum made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the Council Chairman of Ndokwa East on Monday, August 17, 2026. The visit was led by the President, Chief Alaska Ekele who outlined the activities and objectives of the forum.
Speaking during the visit, the President, South South Writers Forum, Chief Alaska, said the organisation was established in 2017 to harness the creative potential of the South South region and promote writing as a tool for social and economic development.
He said the forum had, over the years, faced challenges in securing formal recognition but was eventually registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in 2024.
The President went further to explained that the organisation had also held its convention and conducted elections as part of efforts to strengthen its structure and operations.
He noted that the forum’s activities included writing and publishing books and newspapers, conducting research, documenting information for organisations, and establishing and equipping libraries with local and foreign books.
The President added that the forum’s membership cuts across different sectors, including, journalism, academia, business, politics, legal, medical, and other professional fields.
He said the organisation also promotes the creative abilities of young people by organising writing competitions among students of secondary and tertiary institutions, adding that the forum operates three categories of membership—student, associate and full membership.
He said the visit was also aimed at seeking strategic partnerships with individuals and organisations that could support the forum’s vision and activities.
In his response, the council Chairman, Hon.Chief Vincent Osilonya Chairman Ndokwa East Local Government expressed appreciation for the forum’s support during the burial of his mother last year.
He urged the forum to lconsult other stakeholders in the area to develop a collective strategy for securing a suitable location and facility for its secretariat.
He pledged to support the organisation within his capacity, saying he was willing to contribute to initiatives that would advance its activities.
He also advised members of the forum to maintain professionalism and objectivity in their writing and reporting.
He stressed the need for balanced journalism, urging writers to present different sides of an issue and avoid reports that could be perceived as biased.
He assured the delegation of his continued availability for consultation and partnership, while expressing optimism that the forum would contribute meaningfully to the development of the creative industry in the South South region.
