The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) says it has impacted more than 3.59 million lives through its programmes and partnerships in the last 20 years.
Its Executive Director, Dr Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, disclosed this during a visit to members of the Correspondents’ Chapel on Tuesday in Kano as part of activities marking the organisation’s 20th anniversary.
The anniversary is being celebrated under the theme: “20 Years of Voice and Justice: Empowering Citizens, Shaping Tomorrow.”
Zikirullahi said the organisation had also generated more than 30,000 media outputs, built a digital community of over 1.2 million followers and supported networks of more than 15,000 women and young people across the country.
He said CHRICED had implemented nine major projects, published 62 reports, manuals and research publications, and collaborated with 11 funding partners and 19 strategic partner organisations.
According to him, the achievements reflect the organisation’s commitment to strengthening democratic participation, promoting human rights and advancing social justice since its establishment two decades ago.
He said CHRICED had worked with communities, government institutions, development partners, traditional leaders, youth groups, women’s organisations and the media to promote accountability and inclusive governance.
The executive director listed some of its interventions to include advocacy for maternal healthcare, transparent Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) funding, inclusive Almajiri education and the rights of Abuja’s original inhabitants.
Others, he said, included tracking constituency projects, demanding accountability in public spending, defending civic freedoms and challenging abuse of power.
Zikirullahi described the media as a strategic partner in the organisation’s efforts to promote democracy and social justice.
He said journalists had played a significant role in amplifying citizens’ concerns, promoting accountability and bringing issues affecting communities to public attention.
“If CHRICED has had a voice over the last 20 years, it is because the media helped carry that voice across Nigeria,” he said.
He commended journalists for reporting issues of public interest and providing platforms for citizens whose concerns might otherwise go unheard.
Zikirullahi said the organisation established CHRICED Radio and Television to expand access to civic education, public-interest journalism and human rights information, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
He explained that the initiative was designed to complement existing media organisations rather than compete with them.
According to him, the organisation’s next phase will focus on strengthening partnerships, deepening civic engagement, promoting accountability and supporting courageous journalism.
He said democracy could only thrive when citizens were informed, public institutions were accountable and people were given opportunities to participate in decisions affecting their lives.
Zikirullahi urged journalists and civil society organisations to sustain their collaboration in building a society where truth, justice, accountability and citizens’ participation were upheld.
He said the anniversary was not merely a celebration of the organisation’s achievements but an opportunity to renew its commitment to empowering citizens and strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.