FCT Original Inhabitants Push for Rights, Cultural Preservation.

By Raymond Enoch

The struggle for recognition and cultural preservation of the Federal Capital Territory’s Original Inhabitants gained fresh momentum on Tuesday as the Attachi People’s Initiative hosted an enlightenment and sensitization workshop at the palace of the Esu of Bwari.

The event, themed “Promoting the Political, Economic, and Cultural Rights of the FCT Original Inhabitants,” drew elders, women, youths, persons with disabilities, and traditional leaders into a spirited dialogue on identity, displacement, and the future of indigenous communities.

Funded by the MacArthur Foundation and supported by the Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED), the workshop was described by organizers as a vital step in asserting the rights of FCT natives amid rapid urbanization.

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Director, Ms. Serah Tukurah, Mrs. Grace Sabelo said the gathering was more than awareness. “This is a vital call to action,” she declared, urging participants to defend their heritage while embracing unity in the face of modern challenges.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Theophilus Tanko Chikudu, PhD, emphasized the importance of documentation and active cultural practice in securing recognition. “Recognition is given to what is documented,” he noted, charging parents to speak indigenous languages at home and religious leaders to balance faith with cultural identity.

Participants including Comr. J.H. Awoyi, Christian John Jebida, Barnabas Victor Nasara, Mrs. Tanko Ladi, and Mallam Adaki Abdullah highlighted recurring concerns such as land displacement, language extinction, and the erosion of traditional values. They called for community-driven initiatives to sustain native culture and strengthen social bonds.

The Katampe Chief, in a goodwill message, urged participants to transform dialogue into concrete action, stressing that true preservation lies in daily practice, not occasional events.

The workshop closed on a united note, with renewed commitment to safeguard the political, economic, and cultural rights of the FCT’s Original Inhabitants—ensuring that their heritage is not only remembered but lived for generations to come.