The Yoruba Nimi Empowerment Foundation has voiced strong opposition to House Bill 2057, a proposed amendment to the Nigerian Constitution that seeks to redefine indigeneity by granting indigenous status based on birth, continuous residence of at least 10 years, or marriage.

The foundation’s president, Olaseni Bokini, stated that indigeneity should be viewed as an inheritance passed down through generations, forming an integral part of a people’s history.

He argued that the proposed bill could lead to the marginalisation of authentic indigenous populations by allowing individuals with no genuine ancestral connection to claim indigenous rights.

“The bill could result in the displacement of original inhabitants from economic opportunities, governance structures, and access to local resources,” he said.

Bokini argued that the bill’s passage could serve as a threat to local culture and governance, as external influences may dictate the affairs of indigenous communities without understanding or respecting their cultural nuances.

He, therefore, urged the Federal Government, the National Assembly, and all stakeholders to reject the bill in its entirety.


https://punchng.com/group-opposes-bill-seeking-to-grant-indigenship-by-marriage-others/