To foster a transparent and equitable society by actively engaging and empowering citizens to fight corruption and demand quality services and public goods

Hello Stepper! 

March was a great month, filled with exciting events and significant progress toward our mission to foster a transparent and equitable society by actively engaging and empowering citizens to fight corruption and demand quality services and public goods! Let’s look back at some of the exciting highlights from the month. 🌟🎉

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION TO TAKE A STAND AGAINST CORRUPTION

This month, our efforts contributed to fostering a culture of integrity and ethical behavior among out-of-school children in Abuja and Lagos, thereby promoting a future society with reduced instances of corruption. We engaged children in three different communities: Gwagwa community in the FCT, Igbooye community in Epe, and Badore in Ajah. During these visits, we used our animated film, ‘Halima’s Vote’, to teach the children about the dangers of corruption, its long-term consequences, and the importance of advocating for accountability. We empowered over 350 children in these communities with the knowledge and skills they need to bring about meaningful change in their communities. 

This month, our engagement with schools in Lagos and Abuja fostered a deep understanding among students about the importance of transparency, good governance, and accountability. By illustrating how their actions can spark positive transformations within their schools and communities, we instilled a sense of action in each student. At the core of our belief is the notion that every child has the potential to be a changemaker. Through interactive sessions featuring the ‘Tosin’s Story’ book and film, we ignited meaningful dialogue and inspired a commitment to active citizenship among the students.

EMPOWERING YOUTH TO CREATIVELY COMBAT CORRUPTION THROUGH CREATIVITY BOOTCAMPS

Here are some outcomes from our interactive creativity boot camps conducted this month. Children utilized creative writing, poetry, and drawing as mediums to articulate their insights on combating corruption, all while gaining a profound understanding of the pivotal roles ethics and transparency play in society. These activities have helped children comprehend the devastating effects of corruption on society and the urgency of opposing it. Through the bootcamp experience, children were empowered and inspired to use their talents constructively to make a positive contribution to society and combat corruption in their communities.

PODCAST EP.90: THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION

In commemoration of Women’s Month, we organized an X-space gathering to celebrate International Women’s Day. Dubbed “The Role of Women in the Fight against Corruption,”, this event featured distinguished speakers who shared their experiences, challenges, and successes in advancing change in our society. The conversation illuminated the pivotal contributions of women, spotlighting the imperative of amplifying their presence in decision-making forums and advocating for heightened accountability. If you missed the event, you can listen to the recording on our podcast here.

REVITALIZING MORAL VALUES IN NIGERIA’S BASIC EDUCATION: EXPLORING EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES

We supported the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and key stakeholders in education at a two-day stakeholders meeting on moral regeneration and reorientation in basic education. The meeting brought together various stakeholders in the education sector to discuss and examine ways to equip our students with the character and decision-making skills they need to become responsible and productive citizens. During the meeting, we exchanged ideas from our experience with raising young integrity champions and on effectively integrating moral values and ethical principles into the basic education curriculum. We also shared best practices and lessons learned from previous initiatives and explored innovative strategies to promote positive behavior and attitudes among our learners.

SUPPORTING  NATIONAL TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT

We joined the Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI) in the Subnational Audit Efficacy Index Report Launch 2023 themed ‘Expanding Accountability Frontier for Equitable and Inclusive Subnational Development in Nigeria. The event scrutinized the transparency and accountability level in the management of public funds and implementation of policies across all 36 states of the Federation of Nigeria. The report conclusively revealed that Yobe and Ekiti states clinched the top position with an impressive score of 73% in the assessment. Read the full report here HERE.

STRENGTHENING INTEGRITY MEASURES IN SCHOOLS WITH OUR INTEGRITY CERTIFICATION PROGRAMME

Aligned with our fundamental objectives, we are dedicated to fostering a culture of integrity within schools by crafting robust policies and ethical standards that promote academic and admissions integrity. We aim to cultivate an atmosphere where ethical conduct is not only encouraged but also recognized and rewarded. Last year, we successfully certified over 50 schools, and our aspiration is to extend our support to an even greater number this year. Through our School Integrity Certification Programme (SICP), schools gain access to a wealth of resources designed to fortify their integrity framework, including comprehensive training modules, assessment tools, and continuous guidance from our team of experts. If you are a School Proprietor or School Head in Lagos, Abuja, or Nasarawa state, and you are interested in instilling integrity in your school, please use this link to register.

#BUYACHILDABOOK – HOW YOU CAN EMPOWER FUTURE LEADERS WITH INTEGRITY

Join forces with us to educate 1000 young minds and fight corruption in our society. We aim to empower children with the knowledge and tools they need to combat corruption and create a better future for the generations to come. You can support our #Buyachildabook campaign by purchasing any of our anti-corruption storybooks for N2,000 and sharing them with children in your community. To buy a book for a child and receive a free SWIFT flashcard with every purchase, please contact us at +234 912 3833289. Together, let’s teach our children about integrity and good governance, and work towards creating a corruption-free society.

JOIN OUR TEACHERS’ TRAINING PROGRAM AND MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE

We have received outstanding feedback from previous participants in our training program. Testimonials from teachers attest to the transformative impact of our training on both themselves and their communities. They express newfound confidence and enhanced proficiency in instilling anti-corruption principles, noting tangible improvements in their students’ lives. We are thrilled to announce our upcoming Teachers Training program, which will begin on April 9th, 2024. The program is designed to empower educators and equip them with the skills needed to become effective change agents in their communities.

 

EMPOWERING PARENTS TO CULTIVATE ANTI-CORRUPTION VALUES IN THEIR CHILDREN

As part of our Parents Anti-corruption Champions Initiative, we recently facilitated two impactful sessions with parents from Olive Yard and Woodland Hill Schools. During these sessions, we emphasized the pivotal role that parents have in shaping leaders of tomorrow who will lead with integrity. Equipped with practical tools and a comprehensive guide, parents were empowered to instill anti-corruption values in their children from the earliest stages of development. We aim to empower these parents and more to cultivate these values at home. We have another hybrid session scheduled to take place soon. If you’re interested in attending, please register HERE.

HOW #CIVICTECH IS EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES TO DEMAND IMPROVED SERVICE DELIVERY

We were delighted to participate in a panel session hosted by Civic Hive during their report launch on ‘the Civic Tech Landscape in Nigeria’. The discussion revolved around the use of AI to enhance civic participation within society. Our Program Associate, Goodness James, shared her thoughts on ways to bridge the digital gap. The event also provided us with an opportunity to talk about the future of Civic Tech and Gov Tech, particularly our use of virtual reality to empower communities to demand better service delivery. 

WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE SOCIETY FOR ALL

We are excited to partner with the Civil Society Coalition on Audit in Nigeria to engage citizens with audit accountability and uptake in Nigeria. This collaboration will help to build public trust. Recently, we participated in a workshop where we shared our experience on the significance of mutual accountability. Our goal was to emphasize that public accountability is not just about being responsible with funds. During the workshop, Joshua, our communications associate, shared how Step Up Nigeria’s transformative approach positively impacted the community of Akeleku Sidi in Nasarawa state who demanded accountability in the use of shared funds.

FOLLOW US!

Mailing Address: The Ventures Park, No.5 Kwaji Close, off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja, F.C.T 

Contact: info@stepupnigeria.org 

Tel: +2349019500597 

Warm Regards, 

The Step Up Nigeria Team.