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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has raised concern over imminent extinction of the language, culture and identity of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja of original inhabitants.
CHRICED Executive Secretary, Ibrahim Zikirullahi, stated this yesterday to mark this year’s United Nations World Indigenous Peoples Day, in Abuja.
Themed, ‘Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being,’ Zikirullahi said: “As Abuja continues to evolve into a modern capital, the identity of its original inhabitants must never be erased, diluted, or forgotten.
“Their languages, customs, land rights, cultural expressions and contributions to national development must be recognised, respected and protected.
“This is why today’s celebration matters. It matters for justice. It matters for inclusion. It matters for cultural continuity. And it matters for the dignity of communities, whose stories are too often overshadowed by the rapid pace of urban expansion.”
According to him, indigenous midwives are more than health practitioners as they are storytellers and cultural archivists that should be supported to uphold the culture of original inhabitants.
He said: “They are the first teachers a newborn encounters. They are the bridge between ancestry and the future.
“Their work reminds us that identity is not preserved in monuments or documents alone, it is preserved in people, practices, traditions and in the intimate rituals that define community life.”
He maintained that CHRICED, in partnership with the University of Abuja and the FCT Original Inhabitant Organizations, and with the generous support of the MacArthur Foundation, remains committed to amplifying indigenous voices, strengthening civic participation and advancing the rights of Abuja’s First Peoples.
“And today, with great pride, we highlight a landmark achievement: the proposed establishment of the Abuja Original Inhabitants Heritage Centre, with construction set to begin soon.
“This Centre will serve as a dedicated space for preserving indigenous history, protecting cultural memory, promoting research and ensuring that future generations can learn from and celebrate the rich heritage of Abuja’s First Peoples.
“It stands as a beacon of identity, resilience and cultural continuity. To achieve this monumental project, we humbly crave the financial and material support of everyone.
“We believe that development must never come at the cost of identity. We believe that progress must honour heritage. And we believe that indigenous knowledge, including midwifery, is not a relic of the past but a resource for the future.
“Today, as we witness cultural performances, listen to ancestral stories, engage in dialogue and celebrate the resilience of indigenous communities, let us remember that we are not just observers, we are participants in a collective responsibility,” he added.
