By Victor Itodo Abuh
THE EXECUTIVE Director of the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), Dr. Zikirullahi M. Ibrahim, has described the Abuja Original Inhabitants Heritage Centre as a “living monument to justice and inclusion” during its groundbreaking ceremony held on Saturday at the University of Abuja.
The event, which marked a historic step toward recognizing and preserving the cultural identity of Abuja’s Original Inhabitants, brought together dignitaries including Professor John Palfrey, President of the MacArthur Foundation, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Matthew Adamu.
In his keynote address titled: “A Moment of Truth, A Monument to Justice,” Dr. Ibrahim said the centre represents a symbolic break from years of silence and exclusion suffered by the Indigenous people of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“Today, we do not merely break ground. We break silence. We break cycles of exclusion. We break through the walls of invisibility that have long obscured the stories of Abuja’s Original Inhabitants,” he said.
“This Centre is not just concrete and steel—it is a living monument to justice, a sanctuary of memory and a lighthouse for dignity.”
Dr. Ibrahim emphasized that the new heritage centre would serve as a bridge between culture and citizenship, providing space for research, dialogue and civic engagement. He said the project seeks to protect the identity of Abuja’s Indigenous communities, amplify their voices and preserve their contributions to Nigeria’s national history.
He expressed deep gratitude to the MacArthur Foundation and the European Union for their continued support in promoting human rights, democracy and cultural inclusion.
“We are deeply honoured to have Professor John Palfrey here today to formally lay the foundation of this Heritage Centre. Under your leadership, the Foundation has reaffirmed that philanthropy can be a powerful tool for social transformation and democratic renewal,” he said.
The CHRICED Executive Director also praised the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS for its partnership in promoting Indigenous rights and democratic inclusion, calling for stronger global solidarity in protecting cultural heritage.
According to him, the Abuja Original Inhabitants Heritage Centre will not merely be a museum but a dynamic institution that links cultural preservation with civic participation.
“Culture is the soul of a people. Democracy is the voice of that soul. When culture is recognized, democracy thrives. When heritage is erased, democracy falters,” Dr. Ibrahim stated.
He noted that the displacement of Abuja’s Original Inhabitants during the creation of Nigeria’s capital city remains a moral and democratic challenge that must be addressed through recognition, restitution and inclusion.
In a lighter moment, he celebrated Nigeria’s cultural influence globally, noting humorously that “our Ghanaian brothers have finally conceded—Nigeria has the best jollof,” drawing laughter from the audience.
Dr. Ibrahim concluded by reaffirming CHRICED’s commitment to advancing justice and democratic renewal through culture and civic engagement.
“To the Original Inhabitants of Abuja—this is your day, your Centre, your legacy. Your courage has transformed displacement into determination and pain into power,” he said.
“Let this Centre become a place where culture informs policy, where democracy embraces diversity, and where justice is measured not by power, but by inclusion.”
The Abuja Original Inhabitants Heritage Centre, once completed, will serve as a hub for cultural education, Indigenous research and policy advocacy, symbolizing a new era of recognition for Nigeria’s Original Inhabitants.
