CHRICED’s Groundbreaking Initiative Enhances Rights and Opportunities for Abuja’s Original Inhabitants

From 2021 to 2023, the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), with support from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, undertook a transformative project aimed at empowering the Original Inhabitants (OIs) of the Federal Capital
Territory (FCT), Abuja. This ambitious project, titled Promoting the Political, Economic, and Cultural Rights of Original Inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, sought to bolster the technical, programmatic, and financial capabilities of OI organizations, enhancing their resilience and enabling them to advocate more effectively for their rights and interests.

Addressing Longstanding Injustices
The project was designed to tackle deep-rooted issues of marginalization, human rights violations, economic deprivation, and social exclusion and political disenfranchisement that have long plagued the Original Inhabitants of the FCT. Spanning across 6 area councils, 17 chiefdoms, and 858 communities, this comprehensive initiative awarded sub-grants to 10 Original Inhabitant Organizations and provided targeted support to 3 specialized groups in ICT, media, and legal fields. 

        
Strategic Activities and Key Milestones
CHRICED’s approach was multifaceted, focusing on building synergies with other grantees and organizations with similar missions. Key activities included:

• Project Launch and Advisory Committee Inauguration: Establishing the groundwork for the project’s success.
• Research and Publications: Producing a scoping study and the OI Monograph for advocacy on national, regional, and international platforms.
• Capacity Building: Offering training in program management, finance, monitoring, evaluation, and communication.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitating cohort groups, regular meetings, and stakeholder consultative sessions.
• High-Profile Events: Hosting the President of the MacArthur Foundation, organizing town hall meetings, advocacy visits, and forming a Legal Advisory Committee.
• Awareness Campaigns: Producing and disseminating Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials and participating in the 16 Days of Activism Against

Gender-Based Violence.
The project also saw CHRICED representing the FCT Original Inhabitants at the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, conducting media training, and organizing roundtables on access to justice. With 624 activities carried out by the ten sub-grantees, the project made significant strides toward its objectives.

Transformative Outcomes
The project’s impact has been substantial, leading to several key achievements:.

• Historical Appointment: An FCT native was appointed as Minister for the first time since the return of democracy.
• Institutional Developments: Establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission and Women Affairs Secretariat, along with a Mandate Secretary appointment, advancing leadership and gender inclusion. Appointment of an OI youth to head the newly established Youth Development Secretariat.
• Youth Leadership: Appointment of OI Youth Leader Bitrus Lawrence as a Mandate
  Secretary.
• Economic Empowerment: The FCT gained economic autonomy through the removal from the Treasury Single Account.
• Land Compensation: A compensation agreement was reached with Abuja OI communities for land used in the Abuja airport expansion.
• Traditional Justice: Adoption of a voluntary code of conduct for traditional justice by all 17 FCT chiefdoms.
• Cultural Revival: Revival of traditional arts and crafts, creating livelihoods post-COVID19.
• Enhanced Cohesion: Improved collaboration and activism among OI associations.
• Proactive Governance: Regular dialogue between traditional rulers and the FCT administration.
• Mining Partnership: Community partnership with the Federal Ministry of Mines to involve OIs in mining activities.

A Commitment to Ongoing Support
The project has vividly demonstrated the Original Inhabitants’ renewed commitment to advocating for their political, economic, and cultural rights. CHRICED remains resolute in its support, continuing to raise awareness about the OIs’ quest for social justice and equal opportunities. The organization is dedicated to standing alongside the Original Inhabitants in their ongoing efforts to secure their rights and drive meaningful change in their communities