Journalists in Abuja have expressed renewed commitment to report more effective coverage of the plight of Abuja Original Inhabitants, (AOI).
This was part of what came out of the training programme focusing on the rights of indigenous peoples whose forefathers had lived in Abuja for thousands of years before the capital was moved from Lagos to Abuja in 1976.
The training was organized by Network of Journalists on Indigenous Peoples, (NEJII) with the support of the MacArthur Foundation and Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education, (CHRICED).
Representing the print, online and electronic media from across the North, the media practitioners were empowered using the Training Manual which exposed journalists to best global practices in the coverage of indigenous issues.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Director, CHRICED, Dr Zikirullahi Ibrahim said the media remains a key partner in sustainable development adding that democracy is better enriched by taking into cognizance the plight of vulnerable people of which the AOIs are one.
The training is coming two days after the CHRICED foundation laying ceremony for the AOIs Heritage Project conceived to be built inside the University of Abuja. The foundation ceremony was held on Saturday at the main campus of the university.
The journalists at the training expressed concern over the continuous neglect of Abuja Original Inhabitants, saying that the lingering demands of the first nations should be addressed to avoid unforeseen circumstances arising from years of historic injustice that may spur an outbreak of bottled-up anger.
Speaking at the training which held in Abuja on Monday, an official of CHRICED Victor Ezenwa Emejuiwe urged media practitioners to focus on human right violations, right to land, education, health and job opportunities.
He said journalists have a critical role to play in working with indigenous communities to bring into sharp focus their demand for prompt attention from state actors.
He said AOIs are vulnerable and need the support of the media which he urged to prioritize the setting agenda for peace, conflict prevention and sustainable livelihood.
Sola Ayebola, the producer of Kakaaki, a popular programme on African Independent Television, (AIT) who also addressed the trainees said highlighting the plight of AOIs is necessary for peace and stability in Abuja and in the country at large.
The Coordinator of NEJII, Adewale Adeoye cited sections of the United Nations including the United Nations Universal Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007 and the International Labour Convention, (ILO) 169 which mandates state actors to address the fears and aspirations of Indigenous peoples all over the world.
The resource persons recall the various government policies beginning from 1976 which undermines the rights of indigenous peoples in Abuja which included Koro, Ganagana, Nupe, Koro, Gbayi, Gade, Ebira and others who had lived in what is now Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) for thousands of years before the FCT was created in 1976 through a decree.
Adeoye said, ‘We need to use legal and peaceful means to see redress for the Abuja Original Inhabitants, (AOIs) whose rights over their indigenous territories, land and resources have been taken away by the modern state,’ he said.
Victor Ezenwa Emejuiwe said the characteristics of the indigenous people include historic continuity, language, distinctive cultural identity and spirituality. He said indigenous people all over the world inhabit 25 percent of the Earth’s surface while they are responsive for the protection of 80 percent of global biodiversity. He urged journalists to give voices to amplify the demands of indigenous people for the benefit of humanity.
Journalists at the event were also urged to focus on the rights of AOIs to intellectual property rights on Intellectual property (IP) which are legal rights over Indigenous creativity coming from the ingenuity of AOIs, which may include inventions, art, culture, literary and artistic works, designs, and symbols.
In the United Nations provision, ‘Indigenous rights on genetic resources are protected by international agreements like the new WIPO Treaty, which requires inventors to disclose the origin of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge used in their inventions. These rights are based on the principle of fair and equitable benefit-sharing, and the right to prior and informed consent, which flow from the broader rights of self-determination and property. While genetic resources themselves cannot be patented, inventions based on them can be, and the new treaty aims to prevent “biopiracy” by ensuring that Indigenous Peoples are recognized and compensated.
