By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) says its 20-year existence in Nigeria has expanded educational opportunities, strengthened civic participation and promoted accountable governance nationwide.

The Executive Director of CHRICED, Mr Ibrahim Zikirullahi, stated this at the organisation’s 20th anniversary celebration in Abuja on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the event was “Two Decades of Voice, Justice and Democratic Empowerment.”

Zikirullahi said the organisation’s interventions over the past two decades had helped children return to school, empowered young people, improved access to healthcare and public services, and strengthened citizens’ capacity to demand accountability.

He said CHRICED was established at a critical point in Nigeria’s democratic journey, when many citizens remained excluded from governance and democratic accountability was still evolving.

He said the organisation had since grown into a national institution committed to civic education, democratic governance, policy advocacy, social justice and citizen empowerment.

“Our work has touched millions of lives and helped ensure that the voices of ordinary citizens remain central to national development.
Yet, the true measure of our success is not found in numbers alone.

“It is reflected in the child who returned to school, the young person who found opportunity, the mother who gained access to life-saving care, the community that secured essential public services, and the citizen who found the confidence to demand accountability.”

The executive director said the anniversary was also an opportunity to honour the organisation’s founders, past board members, staff and partners whose contributions had sustained its growth.

He said the organisation had also benefited from partnerships with development institutions, including the MacArthur Foundation and Misereor, which supported its institutional growth, civic education and advocacy programmes.

The Chairman of the occasion, Mr Dayo Olaide, called for collective action to strengthen democracy and ensure accountable governance in Nigeria.

Olaide, who is also the Deputy Country Director, MacArthur Foundation, Nigeria, said the dwindling funding support for non-governmental organisations had created significant challenges for development work.

Olaide commended CHRICED for its contributions to education and democratic development over the past two decades, but stressed that sustaining the gains required the participation of all Nigerians.

“The next 20 years cannot be led just strictly by CHRICED. It’s a collective responsibility that we all have to make,” he said.

He expressed optimism that Nigeria could overcome its challenges and restore effective public institutions through collective effort.

The Guest Lecturer, Prof. Sam Egwu, who spoke on reclaiming civic space, the rule of law, democratic accountability and the future of citizen participation in Nigeria, expressed concern over declining electoral participation in elections.

Egwu said declining participation and citizens’ low confidence in electoral institutions posed significant challenges to democratic governance.

He also expressed concern over the limited opportunities for citizens to hold elected officials and public institutions accountable.

According to him, democracy is facing serious challenges globally, with growing concerns about the survival and consolidation of democratic institutions.

The guest lecturer attributed some of the challenges to the growing concentration of power in the executive arm of government, which he said weakened other branches of government.

NAN reports that the anniversary featured the launch of two publications titled: The Action Civics Manual for Nigeria’s Students: A Practical Guide for Civic Engagement and Advocacy and Voices of Vigilance and CHRICED’s Public Interventions in a Defining Era. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab