The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) Nigeria has launched a new radio programme, Civic Spaces, Security and the People, aimed at promoting civic participation, human rights, security and accountability in Abia State.
The programme, launched in partnership with Spaces for Change (S4C), with support from the Action Group on Free Civic Spaces (AGFCS) and funding from the Global Fund for Human Rights (GFHR), is expected to provide a platform for citizens and relevant institutions to discuss issues affecting communities.
The weekly programme will air every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on SUN FM, Aba. According to FENRAD, the programme will use radio to promote public education, community engagement and dialogue between citizens, government institutions, security agencies, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
Discussions will focus on issues including freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, human rights, civic participation, community security, police accountability, community policing, protection of journalists and human rights defenders, youth participation, gender inclusion and access to credible information.
Speaking on the initiative, FENRAD Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, said the programme was created to strengthen citizens’ participation in conversations about their safety, rights and communities.
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Nwafor said a safe society should not only protect citizens from violence and insecurity but should also allow them to freely express themselves, participate in governance and demand accountability.
He added that the programme would provide an avenue for citizens and institutions to discuss sensitive issues constructively while promoting mutual understanding, accountability and peaceful resolution of challenges.
FENRAD also said the programme would promote what it described as a people-centred approach to security, emphasising that sustainable security requires trust, community participation, credible information, accountability and respect for human rights.
The organisation said citizens would have opportunities to raise concerns, share experiences and engage relevant institutions on issues affecting their communities.
Experts, community leaders, security professionals, human rights defenders, women, young people, persons with disabilities and other stakeholders are also expected to participate in the programme.
FENRAD called on the Abia State Government, security agencies, traditional and religious institutions, civil society organisations, media organisations, community leaders and residents to participate actively in the initiative.
The Foundation said the programme would serve as a bridge between communities and institutions while creating opportunities for citizens’ concerns to receive public attention.
With SUN FM’s reported reach of more than five million listeners across the South-East, FENRAD said the programme would provide an opportunity to extend conversations on civic space, security, human rights and accountable governance beyond individual communities.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to promoting human rights, environmental justice, civic participation, accountability, peaceful communities and sustainable development.
