BREAKING: We're not against government policy,"said Hakimi of Iddo , Let the Nigerian Navy follow due process.
Sinach
Published Date:
Feb 15, 2024
Last Updated:
The demolition notice that was served the Iddo Sarki community since the 12th day of February, 2024,a community that is a few kilometres from the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, harbouring at about 33% of the students of UofA living off campus,that was directly mounted adjacent the residence of Alhaji Saidu Sariki Iddo, the Hakimi of the community, has caused panic and loom in the students community.
Just a walk around the community this days will virtually keep you in dilemma as any gathering of two or three must be a gossip of "when is the demolition?"
Today,the 15th of February, 2024,during the Nuesa press interviews with the Hakimi of Iddo Sariki Community, Alhaji Saidu Sariki Iddo,on the welfare of the 33% students populace which make up 73% of the Iddo Sariki settlers, the Sariki admonished the students never to panic for everything is under control.
"No one should panic,they'll not demolish any house, we've been here in Iddo Sariki since 1814 and so we're bona-fide citizens of Nigeria who are all covered by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria" Alhaji Saidu said.
Sir,Recall that in 2021,there was a subsequent issue of demolition on this same Iddo,so what assurance are you giving the students that this time will not be as 2021?
The 2021 demolition was done by FCT Ministerial Task Team on City Sanitation led by Ikharo Attah and not the Nigerian Navy," said the Hakimi
"We the indigenes have never been informed of any change of ownership of the land by the FCTA,and Hon. Dalhatu Ezekiel Musa,the honourable Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, FCT visited us yesterday and we laid down our complaints to the government, "he said.
"You're a student, if the government reallocates land from you to another person, don't you think due process should be followed and the inhabitants should be settled before the demolition? Hakimi asked.
So, if the Nigerian Navy settles the indigenes living in this land today, would you vacate this place, knowing fully well that most students just renewed their rent?
"We are not against government policies, Alhaji Saidu started, If the Navy follows due process and settles the community, then we wouldn't stop the government from effecting her policies"
So have there been any meeting between the community and the Nigerian Navy?
Particularly, some students residents of Iddo Sariki community who spoke to our journalists, have lamented on the notice, a student who wants to remain anonymous said," I just paid my #270000 house rent on 9th of February, and now this notice, where will I go from here?
The students welfare should be considered first because until the great masses of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other's welfare, social justice can never be attained, Helen Keller once said.
We're working on a meeting soon,but for now the FCTA has registered our complaints, said Alhaji Saidu Sariki.
Particularly, some students residents of Iddo Sariki community who spoke to our journalists, have lamented on the notice, a student who wants to remain anonymous said," I just paid my #270000 house rent on 9th of February, and now this notice, where will I go from here?
The students welfare should be considered first because until the great masses of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other's welfare, social justice can never be attained, Helen Keller once said.
It is certain that the community is ready to vacate the land if due process is followed and they get their compensation, but what becomes the faith of the 33% students living here?
Something must be done quickly, the students are humans too.
About the Author
Sinach
A les Avocat, living with the It Begins With Me Mantra and determined to dot all i's and cross all t's for a better Nigeria.
