The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has called for stronger collaboration with the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, to promote inclusive democracy, strengthen accountability and advance citizens’ welfare and security.
The Executive Director of CHRICED, Dr Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, made the call on Friday in Abuja during an interactive session with members of the Correspondents’ Chapel as part of activities marking the organisation’s 20th anniversary.
Zikirullahi stressed the need for media organisations and civil society organisations (CSOs) to build stronger partnerships to hold government accountable and ensure that democratic governance delivers tangible benefits to Nigerians.
He described the media and civil society as indispensable pillars of democracy, noting that their collaboration was essential to strengthening citizens’ participation, protecting human rights and promoting responsive governance.
“When journalists ask difficult questions, democracy breathes. When civil society mobilises citizens, democracy deepens. When both institutions stand together, democracy becomes stronger, more inclusive and more responsive to the needs of the people,” he said.
Reflecting on CHRICED’s two decades of advocacy, the executive director said the organisation had worked with communities, government institutions, development partners, traditional leaders, youth groups, women’s organisations and the media to promote democratic participation and social justice.
He highlighted the organisation’s contributions to maternal healthcare advocacy, transparent funding for the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), inclusive Almajiri education and the protection of the rights of Abuja’s original inhabitants.
According to him, CHRICED has also monitored constituency projects, promoted accountability in public spending, defended civic freedoms and challenged abuses of power.
Zikirullahi disclosed that the organisation’s programmes and partnerships had directly and indirectly impacted more than 3.59 million people over the past 20 years.
He added that CHRICED had generated more than 30,000 media outputs, built a digital community of over 1.2 million followers and supported networks involving more than 15,000 women and young people across Nigeria.
The organisation, he said, had implemented nine major projects, published 62 reports, manuals and research publications, and collaborated with 11 funding partners and 19 strategic partner organisations.
He noted that CHRICED had also issued numerous public statements advocating accountability, justice and democratic reforms.
However, Zikirullahi emphasised that the achievements could not be separated from the contributions of journalists and media organisations that amplified citizens’ concerns and brought issues of public interest to wider attention.
He acknowledged the role of reporters who covered community meetings and public hearings, as well as editors who provided platforms for stories on transparency, accountability, inclusion and human rights.
“If CHRICED has had a voice over the last 20 years, it is because the media helped carry that voice across Nigeria,” he said.
Looking ahead, the executive director said the organisation viewed its 20th anniversary not as a destination but as a foundation for greater impact, particularly amid the challenges confronting Nigeria’s democracy.
He called for stronger partnerships, deeper civic engagement, greater accountability and more courageous journalism to ensure that citizens remain at the centre of governance.
Zikirullahi expressed CHRICED’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with the Correspondents’ Chapel and the wider Nigerian media community to promote public awareness, empower citizens and advance democratic values.
In his response, the Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Felix Ojo, commended CHRICED for its humanitarian advocacy and contributions to human rights, civic education and accountability in governance.
Ojo acknowledged the proposed areas of collaboration, describing them as important and consistent with the Chapel’s strategic priorities for the next five years.
He said the partnership would provide opportunities for both organisations to deepen public awareness and amplify issues affecting ordinary Nigerians.
The Chapel chairman also expressed the organisation’s readiness to strengthen collaboration with CHRICED to promote professionalism, encourage evidence-based reporting and ensure that critical public-interest issues receive adequate media attention.
He reaffirmed the Chapel’s commitment to partnerships that would strengthen journalism, promote accountability and contribute to a more inclusive and participatory democracy in Nigeria.
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