CHRICED Impacted Over 3.59 million Lives In 20 Years – Executive Director
Abdullahi Yusuf
The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) says it has directly and indirectly impacted more than 3.59 million lives through its partnership and programmes in the last 20 years of its existence.
The Executive Director of CHRICED,Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, disclosed this when he led other members of the organization on a courtesy visit to the leadership of the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ,on Tuesday.
“Over the years, our programmes and partnerships have directly and indirectly impacted more than 3.59 million lives. We have generated over 30,000 media outputs, built a digital community exceeding 1.2 million followers, and supported networks of more than 15,000 women and young people across Nigeria,” Zikirullahi said.
He also disclosed that the group had implemented nine major projects, published 62 reports, manuals, and research publications, collaborated with 11 funding partners and 19 strategic partner organisations, and issued hundreds of public statements advocating for accountability, justice, and democratic reform.
“These achievements are significant. But today, I must confess something:these numbers tell only half the story.The other half belongs to you. It belongs to the journalist who attended a community town hall and turned a local concern into a national conversation. It belongs to the reporter who covered a public hearing and ensured citizens knew how decisions affecting their lives were being made.
“It belongs to the editor who found space for stories about accountability, transparency, inclusion, and human rights. And it belongs to media institutions such as yours that chose consistently to shine a light on issues that truly matter,” he said.
Over the past twenty years, the Executive Director said,CHRICED had worked alongside communities, state institutions, development partners, traditional leaders, youth groups, women’s organisations, and the media to strengthen democratic participation and advance social justice.
“From promoting maternal healthcare, advocating transparent Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) funding, and inclusive Almajiri education; from amplifying the rights of Abuja’s Original Inhabitants, to tracking constituency projects and demanding accountability in public spending; from defending civic freedoms to challenging abuse of power, CHRICED has consistently sought to place citizens at the centre of governance,” he said.
According to to him, the courtesy visit was part of activities commemorating the 20th Anniversary of CHRICED being celebrated under the theme: “20 Years of Voice and Justice:Empowering Citizens, Shaping Tomorrow.”
“For us at CHRICED, this anniversary is more than a celebration of longevity. It is a moment of reflection, gratitude, and renewed purpose. It is an opportunity to look back at the roads we have travelled, the battles we have fought, the lives we have touched, and the partnerships that have sustained us,, Zikirullahi said.
Responding,the Chairman of the chapel,Alhaji Muritala Adewale, congratulated CHRICED on its 20th anniversary,and for impacting the lives of millions of Nigerians through its intervention programmes.
Adewale assured the organization of the chapel’s continued partnership and support through robust coverage of its activities by its members towards sustained success of the group’s programmes.