By Sadiq Abubakar, Abuja.
Senator Philip Aduda, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has called for peaceful coexistence and unity among the nine indigenous tribes in the territory.
Aduda, represented by his senior special assistant on special duties, Mr. Samuel Danjuma, at the 2021 maiden summit of the Bassa Indigenous Youth Assembly (BIYA), held at Kwali town hall on Saturday.
He said the coming together of the nine indigenous tribes in the FCT to unite was best way to achieve the struggle they have been yearning for over the years.
He therefore commended BIYA for organising the summit, while he assured that he will continue to provide democratic dividends through youth and women empowerment across the FCT.
In his speech, the secretary general of BIYA, Comrade Isah Alhassan, said BIYA is a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) in the FCT, which he said its objectives included promotion of social and political justice and good governance at all levels.
“While the group also help in complementing government efforts by creating more awareness/campaign on social vices such as drug abuse, child trafficking and among other social ills in our society,” he said.
He, however, said that the summit was premised on neglect of Bassa youth in the scheme things, saying”instead to provide the needed structured mechanism for participation in decision making, they perniciously stereotyped as careless who only have interest in frivolous matters,” he said.
He added “and this shows that the Bassa generally particularly in FCT are treated as negative homogeneous social groups with little or no to play or prospect in sustainable development of our society,” he said.
According to him, the maiden summit shall identify and examine the role of Bassa youth in sustainable development of the society, which he said unity and love will be clearly defined by the eloquent guest speakers.
The secretary general, said though, BIYA has made tremendous achievements during her tour to communities, chiefs palaces and across various stakeholders, including nine indigenous tribes in the FCT.
He added that BIYA has also been collaborating with its sister organization like Coalition of Abuja Indigenous Association and Abuja Original Inhabitants Youth Empowerment Organization.
Also speaking, the chairman of Kwali Area council, Hon Danladi Chiya, who was the chief host, commended BIYA for organising the maiden summit, which he said would go a long way in fostering unity and peace among the nine indigenous tribes in the territory.
