By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal Capital Territory original inhabitants and Helpline Foundation for The Needy have called on stakeholders in the territory to evolve measures that will improve access to education across rural areas.
Speaking separately at a one -day town hall meeting at Kuje in Abuja on Wednesday, tagged ‘Original Inhabitants of FCT rural access to education’ they said the combined efforts was vital as it would strengthen the level of education across the Six area councils of the territory.
The founder/president Helpline Foundation, Dr Jumai Ahmadu, said the education of Abuja natives must be given a priority to reshape the future of the women, girl child and youth.
Mrs Ahmadu, who was represented by the project manager, Onoja Arome l
said the Foundation is saddled with the responsibility of creating a platform where the natives especially the children will have a meaningful life.
“We are saddled with the responsibility of providing an enabling environment
where women, girl child and youth in the territory and beyond will enhance their livelihood, education and their whole well-being.
“In November, 2021 Helpline Foundation received support from Macarthur Foundation to revamp the cultural heritage of the natives people of FCT through women empowerment and children, it is the initiative that is still in progress.
“The event is to chart a course for a better future of Abuja original inhabitants which through economic and other reasons have been marginalized in their own territory”
Mrs Ahmadu explained that the meeting would examine the necessary areas, and pressurize offices in-charge to take the education of the natives children as a priority.
One of the speakers and former director FCT Universal Basic Education Board (FCT-UBEB), Dr Adamu Noma called for overhaul of the entire system to pave way for corrections.
He said the FCT Administration and Area Councils should put renovation and provision of infrastructure as top on its agenda to encourage access to education in rural areas.
Malam Musa Mamman, the education secretary for Gwagwalada Area Council, advocated the setting up of elders education forum, constitution review and school monitoring committee to review the issues holding the FCT education system back.
“Strategic stakeholders must be involved, this means that the government should constituted elders education forum, school monitoring committee as well as review the constitution to capture key areas that need to be place”
