Traditional rulers and natives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have appealed to the minister, Nyesom Wike, to protect and develop rural communities in the territory to give them a sense of belonging.
The Hakimi Shekwope of Garki, Tpl Stephen Shekwonce Yakubu, while speaking at the House Of Gora Summit 2023 with the theme: ‘Reclaiming The Voice Of FCT Indigenous’, said there was a need to develop an action plan towards accelerated rural development and service provision as soon as possible.
He appealed to the minister to look into original inhabitants’ land grabbing matters towards sustainability in terms of percentage, and the government should introduce scholarship schemes and basic free education from primary to secondary as encouragement for the indigenous people of Abuja.
“There is also the need for proper institutionalisation of the role of traditional rulers towards the sustenance of development at their jurisdiction. There is also the need to improve and encourage security rural security network at the rural level,” he said.
The founder of House of Gora, Mr. Gabriel Gora, said it is an indigenous brand and community that serves to uphold cultural and heritage conservation, promoting tradition and identity towards civilisation.
“House of Gora is the product of our life experiences and current situation as the Original inhabitants of Abuja. I was born and brought up in Garki village Abuja but can’t converse in Gbagyi which is my local dialect, this is due to the effect of urbanization in the FCT. So I wonder what will be the fate of my children, our children, and generations to come,” he said
Co-founder of House of Gora (CHIRICED), Mr. Emmanuel Gora, said over the years, past governments had refused to adequately compensate or resettle the Abuja original Inhabitants according to international standards, whose lands were forcibly taken by Military Decree 6 of 1976.
