On September 10th, 2024, CHRICED and its sub-grantees gathered for a one-day Stakeholders Report-Back Session to share their journey since 2021. The event, “Advocating for the Rights of Federal Capital Territory Original Inhabitants: Milestones and Challenges,” highlighted the progress made in supporting marginalized groups affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project, funded by the MacArthur Foundation, focused on critical areas such as political rights, cultural preservation, youth empowerment, service delivery, disability support, and ending gender-based violence.
The initiative addresses the historical displacement of indigenous communities following the 1976 military decree designating Abuja as the Federal Capital Territory. Despite Abuja’s growth, original inhabitants face systemic exclusion, marginalization, and limited access to resources and opportunities.
HipCity Innovation Centre presented its successes, including the “Abuja: a city for all” project and “Know Your Area Council.” Executive Director Bassey Bassey emphasized integrative urban planning to address social injustices, particularly forceful evictions and demolitions. He introduced HipCity’s eviction and demolition reporting platform, www.evictionsinnigeria.org, allowing Nigerians to report threats or incidents in their locality.
The event showcased milestones achieved and challenges remaining in advocating for these communities’ rights. CHRICED and its partners remain committed to advancing recognition, inclusion, and social justice for underserved communities in the FCT and Africa.
