Stakeholders Synergise To End Marginalisation Of Original Dwellers
Princess-Ekwi Ajide Abuja
It has been reported severally that denying original dwellers access to their treasures, lands, culture and tradition or opportunities associated with natural resources in their territory is one of the causes of conflict in Nigeria
The original dwellers in Abuja have faced such marginalisation since 1976 when the City was pronounced Nigeria ‘s capital.
On this backdrop, the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education, CHRICED, in collaboration with other agencies like international Press Centre, IPC, and Journalists for Democratic Rights, JODER, with support from MacArthur Foundation, organised a two day training for journalists on “Effective and Impactful Reporting on Indigenous Issues in Nigeria” in Abuja to find ways of tackling the problem.
Speaking at the training, the Executive Director, CHRICED, Dr Ibrahim Zikirullahi, decried the plight of Abuja original dwellers till date saying it depicts government’s unpreparedness to tackle issues relating to them. 
The Exective Director, International Press Centre, IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, on his part, thinks utilising the campaign period ahead of the 2023 general election to draw attention to the travails of original dwellers in Nigeria will be the right move so as to end them.
He said candidates should be made to answer questions as to how the problems of the original dwellers would be solved if elected.
For the Africa Director, MacArthur Foundation, Dr. Kole Shettima, the media should report the violations of the rights of original dwellers whose ancestral heritage are often taken from owing to government policies and urbanization.
The reporters on their part, promised to use their various platforms for promotion of rights of the often marginalised original dwellers.
