The Mercy Helpline Initiative (MHI) joined distinguished stakeholders, civil society actors and human rights defenders today in Kano for the official unveiling of the CHRICED Legacy House and the commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED).
We extend our profound congratulations to CHRICED, and to its Executive Director, Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, on this milestone. For two decades (2006β2026), CHRICED has stood as a pillar of democratic advocacy, civic education and human rights defence in Nigeria.
Through its commitment to making Democracy Work For All, it has consistently given a voice to the marginalised, held power to account and championed social justice. The Legacy House is a testament to CHRICED’s institutional resilience and a lasting beacon of hope for civic advocacy in Northern Nigeria.
A Shared Vision for Humanity
At Mercy Helpline Initiative, our core mandate is “Giving Relevance to Life.” We have seen firsthand how human rights abuses are interconnected, from child abuse and street begging to the neglect of inmates and the failure to protect citizens from insecurity. These challenges cannot be solved in silos. They require the collective strength and collaboration of civil society.
MHI commends CHRICED for its principled stance against the relocation of persons described as beggars by the Lagos State Government, and for reminding the nation that poverty is not a crime. We share CHRICED’s conviction that vulnerable persons must be protected, not removed from public view, and that any intervention must be rights-based and rooted in informed consent. This alignment shows that our organisations share a common conviction: an unyielding defence of the vulnerable.
A Call for Strategic Partnership
As we celebrate this 20-year legacy, MHI calls for a deeper strategic partnership with CHRICED. By pairing CHRICED’s expertise in civic advocacy, policy analysis and rights-based frameworks with MHI’s grassroots work in child protection, street children rescue and reintegration, and inmate rehabilitation, we can build a powerful force for systemic change.
Our Executive Director, Samuel Solomon, who attended the event, said:
“CHRICED’s 20-year journey is a testament to resilience and unwavering commitment to the Nigerian people. A Legacy House is not just a physical structure; it is a symbol of institutional permanence. As we look ahead, MHI is eager to build a strong alliance with CHRICED, combining our grassroots advocacy with their institutional strength to protect the most vulnerable among us and ensure that democracy truly works for all.”
We invite CHRICED to collaborate with MHI on joint advocacy campaigns, capacity-building initiatives and community-based interventions that will leave a lasting mark on the lives of vulnerable people.
Congratulations once again, CHRICED.
Signed,
Samuel Solomon
Executive Director
Mercy Helpline Initiative (MHI)
For media inquiries, please contact:
Mercy Helpline Initiative (MHI)
π +234 806 127 3237
π§ mercyhelplineinitiative@gmail.com
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