The Nation Newspaper

Tag: indigenes

  • Resettlement: Indigenes caution on omission of names

    Indigenes of Garki village in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have cautioned the authorities of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) against tampering with the original supplementary list submitted to the authority by the leaders of the community.

    The natives, who spoke through the Magajin Garki, Joel Yazegbe, after a petition was submitted to the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), alleged that they have been reliably informed that the FCDA officials are contemplating a foul play to omit some original names submitted by the leaders, with intention to replace them with names submitted by FCDA officials.

    Yazegbe said, “We write to warn the FCDA officials to desist from any act that is capable of tarnishing the image of the FCDA. We have read in recent reports of the last minutes secret allocations and racketeering business carried out by the FCDA, in conjunction with AGIS, using part of the resettlement areas to compensate the FCT minister Sen. Bala Mohammed’s friends and cronies.

    “We are aware that such areas are meant to be allocated to the indigenes whose names were not captured in the last ressetlement exercise of the Garki community. On this note, we will not accept any development whereby the areas made for supplementary list in Apo Resettlement will use for personal or selfish gains.

    “We will no longer tolerate further omissions of names or tempering the agreement reached by the early committee set up by the FCTA and headed by the minister of state Olajumoke Akinjide.  We advise that the record should be set straight and every documents concerning the issue of the Garki Resettlement should be properly handed over the incoming administration,”  he stated.

    The natives further appealed to the incoming government to carry the indigenes along in policies and decision and policies that affect them directly and the government should also revisit the idea behind the allocation of numerous estates in the FCT without human beings living inside them.

    “We want the incoming administration to ignore any document that is not properly presented by the indigenes of the FCT. If the any issue concerning the Indigenes should be presented to the incoming administration, let it be by the collective agreement of the indigenes, not some crooks using the fake associations of the original inhabitants to deceive the any government in power in the detriment of our people.

    The natives further advise the president-elect to beware of groups or persons  who uses the name of original inhabitants to deceive any government in power against the real wish and aspirations of the FCT natives.

  • Indigenes seek role in new administration

    Indigenes of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have appealed to the incoming administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to involve them in his administration, in order for them to benefit from the positive change which they have prayed for, after been marginalized by past and present administrations.

    The leader of Dagbalo community, Rev. Danjuma Tanko, who made this appeal on behalf of the indigenes in a press briefing on the future of Abuja natives, said explained that the people of Abuja has suffered endless marginalization, which has made them to wonder if they are part of the country.

    According to Rev. Tanko, since the existence of Nigeria, the people of Abuja have never been given the chance to participate in the affairs of governance, saying that after the independence, during the North Western state, it was the beginning of marginalisation for the people of Abuja.

    “This situation was equally visited during the days of the military rules, when we expected participation during the second republic. The incoming administration should build a bigger hope for the people so that the people will feel and participate actively in this change that we have been praying for.

    “Because, no political appointment has been offered to indigenes. The people of Abuja have a lot of graduates today, but there are no jobs for them. Our means of survival has been ceased from us and converted into buildings and road constructions.

    “Even with the present degree of development in the city, it is highly worrisome if this is an invasion, as we wondered since the amalgamation of Nigeria to this day. We are law abiding people and we pay our taxes directly and indirectly,” he said.

    Tanko further said that the federal allocation which the FCT benefit from in theory and not in practical, other Nigerians who are already benefiting from their states come to the FCT to control the revenue allocation without considering the interests of the indigenes.

    “The end result on how they manage the FCT allocation is a total neglect of indigenous communities and advancement of act of impunity, whereby they cease our plots of land without alternative means or compensation. Developing and providing infrastructures on the ceased farmlands, while the indigenes lack good roads and electricity in their communities.

    “Our traditional status should also be upgraded and given the chance to contribute actively in the affairs of nation building. It must be noted that this people have sacrificed their kingdoms for the peaceful coexistence of Nigeria, so they must be carried along in the scheme of things,” he said.

     

  • Indigenes advise lawmakers on good representation

    Indigenes of Abuja have called on their representatives at the National Assembly to work towards impacting positively on the lives of the people who voted them into the political offices they are presently occupying.

    A community leader in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Daniel Yepwi lamented that indigenes have been left behind in terms of education, employment and job opportunities, which indigenes of other states are benefiting from their states.

    According to Yepwi, it is time members in the House of Representatives and the Senate use their political offices to attract empowerment and proper development to the six area councils in the territory.

    He said that lucrative vacancies and opportunities made to indigenous people of the FCT are being harnessed by other Nigerians from other states at the detriment of the natives.

    “People of the Niger Delta are enjoying today, because their leaders stood firm without compromising. It is time other area council chairmen start emulating AMAC chairman, Mr. Micah Jiba for scholarships he has given to our children to study postgraduate degrees abroad, with the promise to do more.

    “The incoming FCT Minister should avoid demolition of our ancestral houses because no nation thrives without a history. Nigerians and government met Gbagyi people here in the FCT and I wondered why every government will come and start demolishing our homes? While in countries like USA, Maryland there are still ancestral homes and buildings owned by the red Indians who still live there till today,” he said.

    The indigenes who congratulated the President elect Muhammadu Buhari further advised him to maintain his principles and integrity by making sure he appoints an indigene as a minister, appealing to the incoming government to carry the indigenes along and avoid any thing that will plunge the youths into crisis like the Niger Delta youths.

    “We want the incoming administration to dwell more on projects and programmes that will benefit us, not like the Bala Mohammed-led administration that uses the military to demolish and humiliate us in our land,” he said.

  • Indigenes seek genuine development

    Indigenes of Abuja have called on their representatives at the National Assembly to work towards impacting positively on the lives of the people who voted them into power.

    A community leader in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Daniel Yepwi lamented that indigenes have been left behind in terms of education and job opportunities, which indigenes of other states are benefiting from.

    According to Yepwi, it is time members in the House of Representatives and the Senate used their political offices to attract genuine development to the six area councils in the territory.

    He said lucrative job opportunities promised to indigenous people of the FCT are being enjoyed by people from other states at the detriment of the natives.

    “People of the Niger Delta are enjoying today, because their leaders stood firm without compromising. It is time chairmen of other area councils started emulating chairman of AMAC, Mr. Micah Jiba for scholarships he has given to our children to study post-graduate programmes abroad, with the promise to do more.

    “The incoming minister of the FCT should avoid demolition of our ancestral houses because no nation thrives without a history. Nigerians and government met Gbagyi people here in the FCT and I wondered why every government will come and start demolishing our homes?  In countries such as the United States of America (USA), there are still ancestral homes and buildings owned by the red Indians who still live there till today,” he said.

    The indigenes, who congratulated the President-elect Muhammadu Buhari, further advised him to maintain his principles and integrity by making sure he appoints an indigene as a minister of the FCT. They appealed to the incoming government to carry the indigenes along and avoid any thing that will plunge the youth into crisis such as the Niger Delta youths.

    “We want the incoming administration to dwell more on projects and programmes that will benefit us, not like the Bala Mohammed-led administration that used the military to demolish and humiliate us on our land,” he said.

  • Indigenes appeal for equity

    Indigenes of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have appealed to the incoming administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to involve them in his administration, in order to benefit from the change which they have prayed for, even as they said they had been marginalised by past and present administrations.

    The leader of Dagbalo community, Rev. Danjuma Tanko, who made the appeal on behalf of the indigenes in a press briefing on the future of Abuja natives, said the people of Abuja have suffered endless marginalisation.

    According to Rev. Tanko, since the existence of Nigeria, the people of Abuja have never been given the chance to participate in the affairs of governance, saying that the North Western State era was the beginning of marginalisation for the people of Abuja.

    “This situation continued during the days of the military rules, when we expected participation during the Second Republic. The incoming administration should give hope to the people so that they will feel and participate actively in the change that we have being praying for.

    “No political appointment has been offered to the indigenes. The people of Abuja have a lot of graduates today, but there are no jobs for them. Our means of survival has been ceased from us and converted into buildings and road constructions.

    “Even with the present degree of development in the city, it is highly worrisome if this is an invasion. We are law-abiding people and we pay our taxes directly and indirectly,” he said.

    Tanko further said the federal allocation which the FCT benefited from in theory and not in practical, other Nigerians who are already benefiting from their states also come to the FCT to control the revenue allocation without considering the interests of the indigenes.

    “The end result on how they manage the FCT allocation is a total neglect of indigenous communities and advancement of act of impunity, whereby they cease our lands without alternative means or compensation, developing and providing infrastructure on the ceased farmlands, while the indigenes lack good roads and electricity in their communities.

    “Our traditional status should also be upgraded and given the chance to contribute actively in the affairs of nation-building. It must be noted that these people have sacrificed their kingdoms for the peaceful co-existence of Nigeria. So, they must be carried along in the scheme of things,” he said.

     

  • Indigenes fault FCDA on out-of-court settlement

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has opted for an out-of-court settlement in the case between it and the Dagbalo community in the territory, but the indigenous people have issues with the processes of the settlement.

    Rev. Danjuma Tanko, who spoke with reporters after the court proceedings at the FCT High Court under Justice Jude Okeke at Daki-biu in Jabi District, explained that the committee was set up by the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed and his name was said to have been included for compensation as a move for an out-of-court settlement.

    Rev. Tanko said: “The truth is that in the case of demolishing a community, if there is the need to talk about compensation, the FCDA has to compensate the entire Dagbalo community. If they want to compensate only me, it is wrong, because I am not alone; I belong to the community.

    “That is what they have not been able to conclude. Out of about 100 households, they were able to provide 48 alternative houses and the remaining ones they diverted to unknown places. I have the list with me. Besides that, were they supposed to enforce demolition for resettlement without being compensated?

    “I will never trust the FCDA. If they want settlement out of court, they should include my people. I cannot be comfortable alone, they must go through the due process of compensation. Now, they have cut us off from my community and wiped off the community. Will they be able to get us that kind of community?

    Also, while speaking with journalists, counsel to Dagbalo, Mr. Nkem Adolphima explained that it was announced by the counsel to the FCDA that they had a meeting but were yet to resolve the issue and they needed some time to settle everything that would lead to out-of-court settlement, that the name of the plaintiff has been short-listed for compensation.

    “The fact that both parties have got their evidence and they are working towards ending the case, the next adjoined date will be to adopt the final written address, because we have been told to file our written addresses.

    “Hopefully, based on what the FCDA lawyer said, that they have filed out papers and documents, that the names of the plaintiff have been short-listed.

    “If before the next adjoined date, which is June 30, and they bring their evidences before the court, the case will have a different dimension. Otherwise, the court will proceed to adopt the written address and then take a date for judgment. Although, out-of-court settlement may not be the best option, if they present something that is when something will come out of it.

    “It is not the issue of the FCDA giving promises, we want to see something that would serve as evidences of what they intend to do; that would show that they really want an out-of-court settlement. It is not just having out-of-court settlement with verbal promises. It is not done that way.

    “If we are able to see documents on allocations and compensations, then we will know that we are arriving at somewhere,” she said.

     

  • Ajimobi thanks indigenes

    Ajimobi thanks indigenes

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has thanked the people of Oke Ogun for voting for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Accompanied by his deputy, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, members of the Executive Council and APC stalwarts, Ajimobi arrived at the zone through Iseyin and was received by a crowd of APC supporters and residents.

    The team visited Ayetoro, Iwere Ile and Ilero, in Kajola Local Government Area as well as Iganna in Iwajowa Local Government Area.

    The governor assured residents that his administration would improve on the socio-economic and physical development of the zone.

    The governor addressed community leaders in Saki on the OYSADEP premises in Saki-West Local Government Area.

    Ajimobi assured the people that APC would not disappoint them, pledging that Oke Ogun would witness transformation in his second term.

     

  • Indigenes seek FCT administration’s probe

    Natives of Dagbalo community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have appealed to the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to probe the present FCT Administration led by Senator Bala Mohammed, over what they described as  corruption in land racketeering.

    The leader of Dagbalo community, Rev. Danjuma Tanko, who expressed joy that the needed change has come to Nigeria, also appealed to the incoming administration to restore the sanity of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), which he said has compromised and working against the wishes of the residents.

    While speaking during a community enlightenment programme at Apo area, Rev. Tanko said the atrocities and undemocratic activities committed by the Mohammed-led administration to the natives, demand urgent attention by the incoming administration.

    According to him, the present FCT administration has succeeded in truncating the original Master Plan and of the FCT by diverting allocation meant for indigenous people of the FCT to their family members, friends and cronies.

    “We were faced with forceful demolition, which was carried out by this administration without alternatives and it is causing massive trauma and hardship to our people till today.

    “We appeal to our President-elect to institute a panel of inquiry to probe the Mohammed-led administration, for imposing on us some policies that are detrimental to us and also denying us means of livelihood, thereby subjecting us to hardship.

    “We want him to use his good offices to restructure the Department of Resettlement and Compensation, because of the role it played in denying the people of Akpajenya community and other FCT communities their resettlement areas at Apo Resettlement, after they were unlawfully evicted from their ancestral home,” he said.

    He further complained that most employment opportunities meant for the natives in the FCDA have been diverted to other Nigerians from Bauchi State, claiming that the original inhabitants have been totally cut off from development, while they are surrounded by beautiful edifices of influential Nigerians who wrongfully took over their ancestral land.

  • Nsukka indigenes endorse Ezea for governor

    Indigenes of the old Nsukka zone living in the diaspora have endorsed the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Okey Ezea, for the governorship of Enugu State.

    They spoke in a statement under the aegis of the Nsukka Progressives Union (NPU), titled: “Endorsement of APC governorship candidate in Enugu State”.

    The three-paragraph statement, signed by the secretary, reads: “We, members of Nsukka people in Brazil, formally endorse the candidate of the APC in Enugu State, Chief Okey Ezea.

    “After series of consultations, we decided to endorse him, being an astute leader with a vision.

    “We are not considering party but personality and future of our state.”

    Ezea said he was humbled by the support from his brothers in the diaspora.

    He said: “By this stand, they have shown that they want nothing but the best for their state.”

    The APC governorship candidate said Enugu should not be left behind in the wind of change blowing across the country, stressing that the people deserved better than they got in the last 16 years of PDP rule.

    Ezea said: “From 2007, PDP government in Enugu State has collected N544 billion. If you look round the state, from Enugu to Oji River, from Enugu to Awgu, from Enugu to Nsukka, is it like a place they have spent N544billion? Yet, we cannot provide free education.”

    He said he would provide details of local government allocation to the state for APC members so that they would show it to traders across the state, who had been deprived of amenities and infrastructures despite the billions of naira accruing to the state.

    The governorship candidate urged the people to embrace change, noting that in Imo State under an APC government, children enjoyed free education and free meal.

    Ezea recalled that in 2007, he won and they denied him victory.

    “I thank God that a new Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) exists today, which has promised to conduct a biometric election.”

  • ‘Ibadan not against Alao-Akala’s return’

    A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Alhaji Adebisi Olopoenia, has denied the claim that Ibadan indigenes are against former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala’s return to office  in 2015.

    He noted that the Ibadan people gathered at Oje, Beere, Mokola and Agodi-Gate to welcome Alao-Akala last Thursday when he declared his bid to re-contest.

    The politician said the people benefited under the former governor’s administration between 2007 and 201.

    Olopoenia, who spoke with reporters at his Basorun home in Ibadan, stressed that Alao-Akala had been tested, trusted, adding that the people have confidence in his leadership.