Journalists Urge Legislation for Abuja Indigenous Rights

On Thursday, journalists demanded urgent legislation from the National Assembly to protect the rights of indigenous communities in Abuja, highlighting decades of political, economic, and social marginalization since the creation of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This call was made during a summit focused on environmental justice and the rights of Abuja's indigenous people, with participation from various media organizations.

The proposed bill aims to establish an institutional framework to address historical injustices faced by indigenous inhabitants since the 1976 takeover of ancestral lands for national development. The communiqué was signed by journalists, including Adewale Adeoy, Kasali Akinwal, Usman Kadir, and Mariam Usman.

They emphasized that despite Abuja's reputation as a modern city, indigenous landowners continue to face hardships, limiting their access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. The summit also featured discussions on the need for comprehensive legal provisions to address grievances and strengthen advocacy efforts for indigenous rights.