It has been reported severally that denying original dwellers access to their treasures, lands, culture and tradition, or opportunities associated with natural resources in their territory, is one of the causes of conflict in Nigeria.
Original dwellers in Abuja have faced such denials since 1976 when the city was pronounced Nigeria’s capital.
Against this backdrop, the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education, in collaboration with other agencies like International Press Centre, IPC, and Journalists for Democratic Rights, JODER, with support from MacArthur Foundation, organised a two-day training for journalists on “Effective and Impactful Reporting on Indigenous Issues in Nigeria” in Abuja to find ways of tackling the problem.
Speaking at the training, the Executive Director, Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education, Dr Ibrahim Zikirullahi, decried the plights of Abuja original dwellers till date; saying that their situation depicts government’s unpreparedness to tackle issues affecting the people.
On his part, the Executive Director, International Press Centre, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, says utilizing the campaign period ahead of the 2023 general elections to draw attention to the travails of original dwellers in Nigeria will be the right step in the right direction.
He said candidates for elective positions should be made to answer questions as to how the problems of the original dwellers would be solved if elected.
For the Africa Director of MacArthur Foundation, Dr. Kole Shettima, the media should report the violations of the rights of original dwellers whose ancestral heritage are often taken from them as a result of government policies and urbanization.
Ekwi Ajide of ABS, Abuja Bureau, reports that journalists at the event on their part promised to use their various platforms for promotion of rights of the often-marginalized original dwellers.
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