The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) and other stakeholders have called for sustained protection of the cultural identity, heritage and rights of the original inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The executive director of CHRICED, Ibrahim Zikirullahi, made the call at the FCT Original Inhabitants Grand Cultural Rally on Monday in Abuja.

He said there was a need to commit to amplifying indigenous voices and strengthening civic participation.

The rally aimed at commemorating the 2026 UN World Indigenous Peoples Day.

The UN theme for the 2026 celebration is: “Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being”.

The day is observed annually on August 9 to raise awareness of the rights, cultures and contributions of indigenous peoples worldwide.

Mr Zikirullahi said the celebration was an opportunity to recognise indigenous peoples as custodians of identity, heritage and ancestral knowledge.

According to him, indigenous midwives are not only health practitioners but also cultural archivists, storytellers and custodians of traditional knowledge.

He said their knowledge had helped protect mothers and children and preserve cultural practices across generations.

“As Abuja continues to evolve into a modern capital, the identity of its original inhabitants must never be erased, diluted, or forgotten.

“Their languages, their customs, their land rights, their cultural expressions, and their contributions to national development must be recognised, respected and protected.

“Indigenous midwives are more than health practitioners. They are storytellers, cultural archivists and the first teachers a newborn encounters. They are the bridge between ancestry and the future,” he said.

He said CHRICED, in partnership with the University of Abuja and FCT original inhabitant organisations, with support from the MacArthur Foundation, remained committed to amplifying indigenous voices and strengthening civic participation.

Mr Zikirullahi announced plans for the proposed establishment of the Abuja Original Inhabitants Heritage Centre, saying construction was expected to commence soon.

He said the centre would preserve indigenous history and cultural memory, promote research and provide a platform for future generations to learn about the heritage of Abuja’s Original Inhabitants.

He appealed for financial and material support from individuals, organisations and other stakeholders to ensure the realisation of the project.

The vice-chancellor, University of Abuja, Hakeem Fawehinmi, said the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples was an opportunity to honour indigenous cultures and promote their human rights.

Mr Fawehinmi was represented by Otoki Alanana, the director of the university’s Academic Planning Unit (APU).

He said the day also provided an avenue to recognise the contributions of indigenous peoples to environmental protection and global cultural diversity.

He said while change was inevitable, concerted efforts were needed to ensure that indigenous cultures were not lost.

“The key issue for today is to raise awareness and to protect the rights of indigenous people.

“It is also to celebrate the contribution of the indigenous people. This year’s theme is to honour indigenous midwives and safeguard life and well-being,” he said.

Also speaking, the Africa director of the MacArthur Foundation, Kole Shettima, said the foundation had supported initiatives in Nigeria for 32 years and remained committed to advancing the rights of marginalised communities.

Represented by the foundation’s deputy director, Amina Salihu, Mr Shettima said indigenous peoples were guardians of timeless ancestral knowledge and well-being.

He said structural barriers and discrimination continued to undermine the recognition of indigenous knowledge systems.

According to him, such knowledge systems must be valued, and the rights of Indigenous Peoples protected.

“Structural barriers and discrimination continue to undermine the recognition of indigenous knowledge systems. Indigenous knowledge systems and knowledge must be valued and rights protected.

“This gathering is more than just a cultural gathering. It is honouring heritage as a pathway to justice, and the MacArthur Foundation is very proud and privileged to be associated with the original inhabitants of the FCT,” he said.

He expressed the foundation’s commitment to supporting the proposed Abuja Original Inhabitants Heritage Centre.

Also, the Agabe of Gwargwada, His Royal Highness Hussein Agabi, commended the MacArthur Foundation for supporting the indigenous communities and urged stakeholders to give greater attention to the annual celebration.

Mr Agabi appealed for increased participation from political office holders, including area council chairmen, senators and members of the House of Representatives, in subsequent editions.

He said the support provided by the foundation had helped give greater visibility to the concerns of FCT original inhabitants.

The event featured cultural performances, traditional displays and discussions on the preservation of the heritage and identity of the original inhabitants of the FCT. 

(NAN)