MARGARET CHIDERA
An FCT based Non-Governmental Organisation, Helpline Foundation, has called on the Federal Government to approve state status for Abuja.
The Helpline President, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, made the call during a press briefing in Abuja.
She pleaded with the government to recognise the sacrifices of the fathers of the land of FCT and rescue their children from the statelessness, and give them a listening ears to provide a state for the original inhabitants of FCT.
Ahmadu, who was represented by the Project Officer for the Foundation, Onoja Arome, expressed optimism that if the approval is given, it will not only revamp the economic system of the Federal Capital Territory but will also create further international relation as the preserved monument will serve as the FCT soft power asset creating further trust to international community and investors.
“We all know the danger of statelessness which among other things are infringement on the constitution of a country’s region and security; with regards to this, we beg to ask; how can an indigene be looked upon as a stranger and a threat in his own fathers land?
“It is on this note we plead with the government of Nigeria to recognise the efforts of the fathers of the land of FCT and rescue their children from the statelessness and give them a listening ears to provide a state for the Original Inhabitants of FCT.
“These action when taken by the Government will not only revamp the economic system of the Federal Capital Territory but also create further international relation as the preserved monument will serve as the FCT soft power asset creating further trust to international community and investors and also serve as a means of hospitality and tourism attractions adding beauty to the FCT and its environs.”
Ahmadu noted that the original inhabitants of FCT have been rendered stateless since the turning of their fathers land to the nation’s capital, and all rights and privileges have been usurp by urbanisation without adequate compensation.
She added that the remaining evidence of their existence has also been seriously encroached upon endangering their existence as a people.
Ahmadu also called on government to take action towards revamping the cultural heritage of the Original Inhabitants through women and youth empowerment and culture preservation.
According to her, the Foundation with support from MacArthur Foundation through the resounding support from the Resource Center For Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED implemented empowerment programmes in the area.
“The Helpline Foundation taken steps to advocate for the preservation of cultural sites i.e the Asumbo dyeing pits of Ushafa, the Iron Smelting Sites of Takushara, the Gold tunnels and the colonial ludges in Takushara.
“As we speak, the Dyeing Pits in Ushafa has been reclaimed and work is currently ongoing, which means our advocacy has reached physical intervention.
“By first week of November, 2022, we shall be visiting Takushara with our sponsor organization on a tour to further advocacy on the preservation of the relics available in Takushara.
“Today, over 81 beneficiaries have been trained on cultural skills and are ready to continue to preserve their culture in the place where their land is fast becoming a no man’s land. And on 19th May, 2022, we successfully graduated the participants, who were placed on a six-month training on the traditional skill transfer.
“The project actually cut across all the tribes evidenced in the FCT they are: The Gbagyi, Amwamwa, koro, Gade, Gwandara, Gbari, Egbura, Bassa and Ganagana respectively. They have their separate colours and fabrics for unique cultural identification which were going on extinction before the timely intervention of the MacArthur Foundation and CHRICED,” she stressed.
