World Indigenous Day: FCT Original Inhabitants Ask FG to Recognize Abuja as State

The topic of this year’s World Indigenous Day celebration is “The Role of Indigenous Women in the Preservation and Transmission of Traditional Knowledge,” according to the United Nations.  

Every August 9, the United Nations observes International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.  

The day throws light on raising awareness of the role of indigenous people and the need to preserve their communities. 

The Abuja Original Inhabitants Youths Empowerment Organization (AOIYEO) has asked the Federal Government to reorganize and develop the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). 

Mr Isaac David, the organization’s Executive Director, stated this on Tuesday during the International Day for World Indigenous Day Celebration in Abuja. 

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The United Nations dedicated this day to recognize the contributions made through the donations and achievements of the indigenous communities. 

David urged the Federal Government to give proper consideration to ancestral owners of land in FCT to make the natives have a sense of belonging and equal representation in the country. 

“The Federal Government should take a position on constitutional legitimacy of land administration in the Federal Capital Territory to stop the marginalization of the people. 

“We need a state status to increase our franchise to enable us to have an executive governance structure, independent governing body and expand our representation at the National Assembly,” he said. 

He noted that the celebration helps to address some challenges facing the natives and draw the government’s attention to the need for FCT to be treated as a state. 

He also stressed the need for FCT indigenes to be given their right to land ownership and the creation of more tertiary institutions to enable their youths have access to quality education in the FCT.