CHRICED Unveils Civic Engagement Centre in Kano, Marks 20th Anniversary

The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has unveiled a new facility in Kano to promote civic engagement, strengthen public accountability and enhance citizens’ participation in governance.

The facility, known as Legacy House, also houses the Professor John Palfrey Hall, a fully digitised training and conference centre established with institutional support from the MacArthur Foundation between 2021 and 2025.

The unveiling coincided with the organisation’s 20th anniversary celebration, held under the theme, “Strengthening Voices, Deepening Democracy, Building the Future.”

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, represented by her Technical Adviser on Partners, Projects and Programmes, Hajiya Ummukulthum Muhammad, described CHRICED’s contributions over the past two decades as significant to democratic development and responsible citizenship in Nigeria.

She said democracy went beyond elections to include informed citizens, accountable institutions, respect for the rule of law and meaningful participation in public affairs.

The Minister stressed the importance of civic education in building a society where citizens understood their rights and responsibilities, respected diversity and contributed to peaceful coexistence.

She reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Education’s commitment to the Education for Renewed Hope Blueprint, while urging CHRICED to strengthen partnerships with educational institutions and government agencies to promote human rights awareness, leadership development and civic learning.

Ahmad also called for improved digital literacy and critical thinking among young Nigerians to enable them to identify misinformation and participate responsibly in the digital space.

In his remarks, CHRICED Executive Director, Dr. Ibrahim Zikirullahi, described the unveiling as a major milestone in the organisation’s efforts to promote a just and democratic society through citizen empowerment and institutional development.

Zikirullahi recalled that the organisation started 20 years ago in a modest office provided by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) in Lagos, with the vision of empowering citizens to understand their rights and participate meaningfully in governance.

He said CHRICED had grown into an institution with national presence, including the Professor Abubakar Momoh House in Abuja, CHRICED Radio and Television, and the newly established Legacy House in Kano.

He described the facility as a lasting investment in democratic development, leadership and civic engagement, adding that it would serve generations to come.

The Executive Director also disclosed that the Farawa community had recognised the project’s contribution to local development by facilitating the naming of the road leading to the facility as Kole Ahmed Shettima Street.

Also speaking, the Director of the Africa Office of the MacArthur Foundation, Dr. Kole Ahmed Shettima, said the facility reflected CHRICED’s transformation from a modest initiative into an institution with permanent infrastructure for democratic engagement.

Shettima said the Foundation’s support between 2021 and 2025 demonstrated the importance of strategic partnerships and prudent financial management in building sustainable civil society institutions.

He expressed optimism that the Legacy House would provide a platform for dialogue, research, partnerships and public accountability, where citizens and the media could demand explanations from public officials on governance and the utilisation of public resources.

The anniversary celebration attracted government officials, traditional rulers, development partners, academics, civil society organisations, religious leaders and media practitioners.