Aso Mirror tasked on grassroot enlightenment

The pioneer leader of the Coalition of Abuja Indigenous Association, an umbrella body for the original inhabitants of the FCT, Comrade Dalhatu Ezekiel Musa, has charged the Abuja-based indigenous newspaper, Aso Mirror, to make it a duty to enlighten the grassroots about the numerous misconceptions concerning the original inhabitants of Abuja. Musa, who is also […]

The pioneer leader of the Coalition of Abuja Indigenous Association, an umbrella body for the original inhabitants of the FCT, Comrade Dalhatu Ezekiel Musa, has charged the Abuja-based indigenous newspaper, Aso Mirror, to make it a duty to enlighten the grassroots about the numerous misconceptions concerning the original inhabitants of Abuja.

Musa, who is also the immediate past National Commissioner for the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), representing the FCT, stated this when he delivered a lecture themed, “The Role of Community Newspapers in Shaping FCT’s Narrative,” at the one-year anniversary of the Aso Mirror newspaper, held at the Arts and Culture complex in Abuja.

He asserted that since the government has “played their politics by misinforming the society” about settling and compensating every inhabitant of Abuja following the indiscriminate and unjust displacement of the natives from their ancestral homes, the newspaper should carry out investigations to correct this singular narrative and false impression.

He said the natives are glad that the Aso Mirror newspaper was an indigenous initiative, but noted that its impact would be better felt if the campaign and advocacy against such injustices melted upon the natives spread through the newspaper down to the grassroots.

“Just as national newspapers investigate and report on federal or state matters, community newspapers serve as watchdogs for local government by holding local power accountable. The paper should also be seen creating a platform for local businesses too,” he said.

Musa commended the publisher, Alhaji Adamu Abdullahi Candido, for the initiative of setting up a community newspaper. He stressed that the paper and other stakeholders must also support government at all levels through enlightenment on government policies, initiatives, and the security outlook.

Also speaking at the event, the Agaba of Jiwa Chiefdom, HRH Alhaji Idris Musa, stressed the need for unity among the nine tribes who are natives of the FCT.