By Stanley Onyekwere
A Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Helpline Foundation For the Needy has stressed the need for strategic action towards revamping the cultural heritage of Abuja original inhabitants (OI), through promotion of their rights.
In particular, the Foundation pleaded with government to recognize 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.
Making this point, Helpline President, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, said the action when taken will not only revamp the FCT economic system but also create further international relation as the preserved monument will serve as hospitality and tourism attractions as well as soft power asset creating further trust to international community and investors.
Ahmadu, in her speech delivered by Onoja Arome, Project Officer for the Foundation, 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 urbanization without adequate compensation.
She added that the remaining evidence of their existence has also been seriously encroached upon endangering their existence as a people.
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.
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