The pioneer leader of the Coalition of the FCT Indigenous Association (COIA), Comrade Ezekiel Musa Dalhatu, recently shared the story of how he and other indigenous leaders fought for the rights of FCT natives to gain admission into the College of Nursing/Midwifery in Gwagwalada.

Speaking as a special guest at the college?s Cultural Day celebration, Dalhatu, a former FCT Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), recalled leading a peaceful protest in 2017.

He explained that despite the college being run by the FCT Administration, it was difficult for natives to get admitted. The protest, which involved nine indigenous tribes shutting down the college for 24 hours, eventually led to the management considering natives for admission.

Dalhatu credits the intervention of the then FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello, for calling a meeting with the school?s management, which resulted in the change.

He thanked the current management for continuing to admit natives but appealed for an increase in the number of slots to accommodate more FCT indigenes.

The Principal of the College, Comrade Deborah Yusuf, represented by Vice Principal, Mrs. Patience Johnson, also spoke at the event.

She commended the natives for their peaceful approach during the protest, noting that it had ?paid a lot? and that natives will ?always be considered for admission in the school.?

The event featured a cultural display by students from various tribes. (Daily Trust)

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