By Barth Ikiebe
A Non- Governmental Organisation by name the Original Inhabitants Development Association, OIDA FCT, has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to look into the matter of relocation, resettlement, Integration and compensation for government projects affected by communities and individuals in the Territory.
President OIDA, Pst Danladi Jeji, made the appeal over the weekend during the 2025 Heritage Day celebration in Abuja.
He said FCT land ownership should be administered between the FCT Administration and Original Inhabitants for the development of FCT.
Pastor Jeji said education is the foundation of every society, FCT Minister should seriously look into the education sector in the Territory.
“OIDA has continued to canvass for quality education. We plead with the Minister of FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike, to increase more access to basic and secondary education in urban and rural communities so as to reduce the huge gap in the areas of access and quality education by FCT original Inhabitants” Pst Jeji noted.
He commended the FCT Administration and the FCT Minister for opening up new rural roads across the six Area Councils.
Pst Jeji urged FCT Minister to name some major streets in Abuja after indigenous heroes and traditional rulers as a symbolic gesture of recognition of original Inhabitants.
“We salute your vision and canvass more policies and appointment that will continue to reduce the plight of FCT original Inhabitants’’ he added.
He called on the National Assembly as a matter of urgency to amend the 1999 Constitution to accommodate three Senates, six House of Representatives and additional eleven local government areas for FCT Abuja.
On his part, the Sarkin Pai, HRH Abubakar Sani, who was represented by Isah Iya Pai, said it is good for the original Inhabitants to live in unity for the betterment of FCT.
He emphasised that education remains the key to empowerment of indigenous people of FCT.
“Our children must be equipped to compete with others in Nigeria. Sell your clothes if you must, but ensure your child goes to school. That is the only way we can reclaim our rightful place,” Sani said.
Our Correspondent reports that the highlight of the occasion was the colourful cultural display and dance by the indigenous people of Abuja.
