Building bridges to tackle corruption through a community of integrity champions, towards improved service delivery in Nigeria…
Hello Stepper!
This month was full of thrilling developments. We are excited to share the incredible efforts of our anti-corruption champions in the fight against corruption and the impact they’re making in their communities. Brace yourself for some exciting updates, including the launch of our novel fellowship programme for communities. These are our top moments from the month of May.
12 FELLOWS TO CHAMPION ANTI-CORRUPTION AND SERVICE DELIVERY IN THEIR COMMUNITIES – INTRODUCING OUR FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM!
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our fellowship program aimed at empowering first-time voter integrity champions who are dedicated to driving positive change in their communities. Over the past few weeks, 12 exceptional individuals from Nasarawa & Lagos States have undergone intensive capacity building sessions. But that’s not all! We’ve also provided them with invaluable mentoring sessions, guiding them in identifying their development goals to deliver innovative service delivery solutions to their communities. Curious to learn more about our fellowship program and the incredible fellows involved? Click HERE.
Interning With The Team
After an intensive four-day training and mentoring session, the fellows in Lagos and Nasarawa joined the Step Up Nigeria team for anti-corruption education sessions with students, schools and parents. Their dedication and efforts are making a real difference in promoting integrity and equipping young minds.They are gaining valuable experience and essential life skills. We congratulate our fellows on their ongoing success.
WE LAUNCHED OUR THIRD ANTI-CORRUPTION FILM!
On May 3rd – World Press Freedom Day, we launched our third anti-corruption film, Tosin’s Story! Adapted from our captivating storybook, “Tosin’s Story,” this film takes you on an exhilarating adventure where investigative journalist, Tosin, uncovers corruption plots and fearlessly exposes them. As the story unfolds, you’ll witness Tosin’s determination to bring justice to her community.So gather your friends, family, and colleagues, and embark on this cinematic adventure. Click HERE to watch and share your reviews with us, we’d love to hear from you, and remember, your voice can make a difference.
UGBOWANKWO COMMUNITY’S YOUTH FORUM EMERGES STRONG AFTER TWENTY YEARS OF SILENCE!
On the 20th of May, the youth of Ugbowankwo experienced an extraordinary moment as their youth forum was relaunched. Although the forum had been inactive for two decades, the First-Time Voters Integrity Initiative breathed new life into the forum, igniting a renewed passion among the youth to reclaim their voice. Originally established to address youth-related issues, advocate for their rights, and foster peace and unity, the forum had been forgotten until now. The relaunch event was nothing short of remarkable, attracting esteemed guests including the Baale (community leader), the local police station’s DPO, the Local Government Chairman, the Community Development Associations, and aspiring political leaders. This unprecedented gathering marked a turning point for the youth of Ugbowankwo. It symbolised a new era of collaboration and partnership between the youth and their political leaders, with a shared goal of delivering high-quality services to the community. The forum’s revival begins the process of bridging the gap between the youth and their leaders, paving the way for meaningful dialogue and effective governance.
TEACHING CHILDREN TO SHUN CORRUPTION
This month, we reached 36 schools, providing over 2900 books to students and school libraries. Our engaging sessions focused on the importance of integrity and the impact of corruption in society. Together, we inspire a future of integrity!
Creativity Bootcamps
We had the incredible opportunity to organise creativity sessions with schools in Lagos, Abuja, and Nasarawa states. The sheer enthusiasm and passion displayed by the children as they expressed their perspectives on corruption and presented solutions through diverse art forms was undeniably awe-inspiring.
THE THIRD EYE CLUB IN AJEGUNLE
Introducing the Third Eye Anti-Corruption Club in Ajegunle! This inspiring club was established after a sensitisation session that the Step Up Nigeria team had at Diamond Heroes Academy, the community school. Under the guidance of their dedicated teacher, club members take part in advocacy walks to raise their voices against corruption. They have even visited influential figures in their community, including the traditional ruler and the Divisional Police Officer. Through anti-corruption education, these children are empowered to confront the social vices they encounter every day, and together, they are making a difference in Ajegunle!
PROMOTING A CULTURE OF INTEGRITY IN NASARAWA STATE SCHOOLS
We introduced our Integrity Certification program to 20 new schools in Nasarawa state, and their response was overwhelming! The schools expressed their interest and wasted no time in signing up for this transformative initiative. Together, we are creating a brighter future by enhancing integrity culture one school at a time. Join us on this journey as we continue to empower schools and nurture a generation of responsible, conscientious leaders. If you would like to see how the session unfolded, click HERE to watch.
CELEBRATING TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK: HONOURING OUR ANTI-CORRUPTION CHAMPIONS!
To mark this special week, we extended our heartfelt gratitude to the over 700 teachers we have trained who are leading the charge in imparting anti-corruption education in their schools. Your unwavering dedication and selfless commitment to shaping the minds of future leaders do not go unnoticed. To shine a spotlight on the incredible work you do, we had the privilege of interviewing two exceptional teachers from our training program. Click HERE and HERE to watch the interviews!
CHILDREN’S DAY!
Children’s Day was an incredible adventure! We took to the streets and interviewed children from different age groups, gathering their thoughts on corruption and their valuable suggestions for enhancing Nigeria’s development. Furthermore, we visited the inspiring Third Eye Club in Ajegunle , engaging with club members and encouraging them to persist in their commendable fight against corruption. Children truly are the beacons of hope in our world, and their voices matter greatly to us.
ARE YOU A RATE(d) PARENT?
Our parent anti-corruption champions – PACCs are instilling anti-corruption values in their children from an early age. We firmly believe that parents play a crucial role in shaping the character and integrity of their children, which is why in May we sensitised over 90 parents on the importance of teaching these essential values.
During our sessions in Lagos & Nasarawa, we introduced parents to the powerful RATE code (Respect, Accountable, Transparent, Encourage) as a practical framework for instilling anti-corruption values in the home. Our Parents’ Guide also gave practical tips to integrate these values into their daily interactions with their children. We believe that as Rate(d) Parents, we can create a generation of responsible, accountable, integrity champions.
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