Natives under the umbrella of “Abuja Original Inhabitants Youths Empowerment organisation (AOIYEO), has called on the Federal Government to reorganise the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for the development of the country .
Commandant Iseac David, the Executive Director of the organisation made the call during the International Day for World Indigenous Day Celebration, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the United Nations theme for this year’s Indigenous celebration is ‘The Role of Indigenous Women in the Preservation and Transmission of Traditional Knowledge.
The United Nations, every year marks August 9, as the International day of the world’s indigenous people across the globe.
The day throws light on raising awareness of the role of indigenous people and the need to preserve their communities.
The United Nations dedicated this day to recognise the contributions made through the donations and achievements of the indigenous communities.
However, David called on the Government to give proper consideration to ancestral owners of land in FCT to make the natives have a sense of belonging and equal representation in the country.
“The Federal Government should take a position on constitutional legitimacy of land administration in the Federal Capital Territory to stop the marginalisation of the people.
“We need a state status to increase our franchise to enable us to have an executive governance structure, independent governing body and expand our representation at the National Assembly.
“The celebration helps to address some challenges facing the natives and draw government’s attention to the need for FCT to be treated as a state,” he said.
He also stressed the need for FCT indigenes to be given their right to land ownership and the creation of more tertiary institutions to enable the youths to have access to quality education in the FCT. (NAN)