By Zainab Rauf, Abuja In a bold move to strengthen civic engagement and promote democratic values, the Resource Centre for Huma...
By Zainab Rauf, Abuja
In a bold move to strengthen civic engagement and promote democratic values, the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has inaugurated its Radio and Television Studio at its Abuja headquarters. The event took place on Monday, May 5, 2025, at the CHRICED Head Office, Professor Abubakar Momoh House, Gwarimpa, Abuja.
Described as a “beacon of truth and a pillar of justice,” the new media platform is aimed at empowering citizens, combating misinformation, and ensuring inclusive participation in governance, according to the Executive Director of CHRICED, Dr. Zikirullahi M. Ibrahim.
“We are not merely inaugurating a broadcasting facility; we are igniting a beacon of truth, a pillar of justice, and a formidable instrument for civic engagement,” Dr. Ibrahim declared in his keynote address at the event.
He said the studio was born out of the urgent need to reclaim the media space from political elites who have “sought to manipulate narratives, distort reality, and silence critical voices.”
CHRICED Radio and Television, he explained, is anchored on the foundational pillars of Inform, Disseminate, Educate, and Advocate (IDEA). These, he said, will guide the platform in amplifying marginalized voices, holding power to account, and redefining civic participation in Nigeria’s democratic process.
The initiative comes at a time when Nigeria’s democracy is under immense strain, with growing concerns over corruption, electoral malpractice, and media repression. Dr. Ibrahim decried the “legislative recklessness, judicial inconsistencies, and mediocrity in political leadership” which he said have widened the gap between the government and the governed.
“In the face of these trials, CHRICED refuses to retreat. Instead, we rise—undaunted, determined, and ever more committed to amplifying the voices of ordinary Nigerians,” he stated.
The Executive Director also paid tribute to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, describing him as “an uncommon leader” who stood for electoral integrity and good governance. The event coincided with the 15th anniversary of President Yar’Adua’s passing.
CHRICED also honoured its late founding Chairman, Professor Abubakar Momoh, who died in 2017, crediting him with guiding the organization through its formative years.
The project is supported by the MacArthur Foundation, whose Director for Africa, Dr. Kole Ahmed Shettima, formally commissioned the studio. Dr. Ibrahim commended the Foundation for its unwavering commitment to democracy and civic empowerment in Nigeria.
“This milestone would not be possible without the generous support of the MacArthur Foundation,” he noted, adding that the new media platform would serve as a powerful tool for education, advocacy, and social change.
Dr. Ibrahim concluded his address with a rallying call to civic actors, journalists, academics, and citizens to join CHRICED in using media to champion transparency, demand accountability, and defend democratic values.
“Together, we can shape a Nigeria where democracy is not just spoken of but truly lived,” he said.
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