Isiyaku Ahmed
The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has laid the foundation for the Abuja Original Inhabitants Heritage Centre, a landmark initiative aimed at preserving the history, culture, and identity of the indigenous communities of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Saturday at the University of Abuja.
Speaking at the event, CHRICED Executive Director, Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, described the centre as a “living monument to justice” and a bold step toward addressing decades of historical exclusion and displacement of Abuja’s Original Inhabitants.
“Today, we do not merely break ground, we break silence, we break cycles of exclusion, and we break through the walls of invisibility.
“This centre will reclaim history, restore dignity, and amplify the voices of the first custodians of Abuja,” he said.
The centre, according to CHRICED, is designed as a world-class cultural and civic space that will host research, exhibitions, public dialogue, and advocacy for the rights of Indigenous People.
It will also promote civic education and democratic inclusion while preserving the unique traditions and cultural identity of Abuja’s Original Inhabitants.
The foundation stone was laid by the President of the MacArthur Foundation, Professor John Palfrey, who was joined by the Foundation’s Africa Director, Dr. Kole Ahmed Shettima.
Palfrey commended the initiative, noting that it aligns with efforts to promote social justice, inclusion, and community empowerment globally.
The European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, represented by Ambassador Gautier Mignot, also pledged support for the project.
The EU reaffirmed its commitment to defending human rights and advancing participatory governance, particularly among marginalized communities.
Dr. Zikirullahi emphasized that recognising indigenous cultural heritage is essential to Nigeria’s democratic growth.
“Culture is the soul of a people, and democracy is the voice of that soul.
“When heritage is erased, democracy falters.
This centre is not a museum of memory; it is an institution of justice,” he said.
He added that development should never again come at the cost of the displacement of Indigenous communities, referring to the forced relocation of thousands of natives during the creation of Abuja as the nation’s capital.
The event, attended by traditional rulers, diplomats, civil society leaders, academics, and community representatives, was hosted in partnership with the University of Abuja, where the centre is being constructed.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Matthew Adamu, described the project as “a bridge between academia and community development” and pledged the university’s full cooperation.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Zikirullahi paid tribute to the resilience of the Original Inhabitants of Abuja. “This is your day, your centre, your legacy,” he declared, adding that “Your courage has transformed displacement into determination, and pain into power.”
He called on development partners, donor agencies, and civil society groups to support the project, which he said would serve as a model for protecting indigenous rights across Africa.
The Abuja Original Inhabitants Heritage Centre is funded through support from the MacArthur Foundation, with additional partnerships expected as construction progresses.
