By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
Original Inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, have called for the strengthening of cultural ties under a two-year project that will train 300 women and youths.
Programme Manager, Helpline Social Support Initiative, Godwin Onoja, who addressed a press conference in Abuja, said Helpline, in partnership with Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education, CHRICED, will continue to promote the rights of the Original Inhabitants, OIs, of the FCT with support from MacArthur Foundation.
He said the two-year project will promote the cultural rights of OIs on three core objectives and the second phase titled “Strengthening the cultural rights of FCT OIs” will train 100 vulnerable women and youths on cultural attire production. Already, 200 people had been trained in the first phase.
“This is to increase the cultural identity awareness of OIs and create job opportunities through skills acquisition in arts and craft. We also advocate for the resettlement and adequate compensation of those whose lands were encroached upon or taken over by developers.”
He said the nine indigenous tribes in the FCT are Amwamwa, Bassa, Egbira, Gade, Ganagana, Gbagyi, Gbari, Gwandara and Koro, and called on all stakeholders to create incredible impact that will out-live us and usher new generations to a life of ease in the FCT.
