Building bridges to tackle corruption through a community of integrity champions, towards improved service delivery in Nigeria…
Dear Stepper,
As they say, April showers bring May flowers. Happy New Month! We had a great month in March, and we hope you did too. We’re thrilled to share with you some exciting updates from Step Up Nigeria. In this newsletter, you’ll find highlights of our recent activities, as well as a preview of the exciting content we have planned for the upcoming weeks and months. So, let’s dive in!
OUR 2022 ANNUAL REPORT IS HERE!
Our anti-corruption efforts in 2022 resulted in remarkable achievements. We trained more than 20,000 children to combat corruption using innovative storytelling techniques, and equipped over 300 teachers with approaches to teach anti-corruption education in the classroom. Additionally, we recognized and awarded numerous anti-corruption champions. As part of our Parent Anti-corruption Champion initiative, we educated almost 300 parents on creative ways to instil anti-corruption values in their children and other children in their communities. Our 2022 annual report highlights all these successes and inspiring stories of behavioural change. Click HERE to read and learn more.
TEACHERS’ TRAINING PROGRAMME
At the beginning of the month, we started our anti-corruption bootcamp training programme for teachers. Our Anti-corruption Education for Social Change project has trained over 700 teachers so far, as part of our efforts to ensure the sustainability of the programme. These teachers are equipped to teach anti-corruption education in an innovative way, using storytelling and other techniques. We are proud to share that some of these teachers have also taken on the role of training other teachers in this subject. We express our gratitude to all our teachers and commend their dedication towards instilling values of integrity in children.
A STORYTELLING BOOTCAMP FOR FIRST-TIME VOTERS
This month, we conducted capacity-building sessions for 143 first-time voter integrity champions in Nasarawa and Lagos state. These champions were from 11 marginalised communities and they were trained on how to engage constructively with the government and political office aspirants using the power of their vote. The training included using creative arts, such as drama, to depict the challenges they face with service delivery, and campaigning against vote-selling behaviours while promoting the need for integrity in voting. At the end of the Storytelling Bootcamp, the first-time voters learnt to use storytelling to convey messages of service delivery challenges in their communities.
FIGHTING CORRUPTION ONE CHILD AT A TIME
We’re excited to share that we’ve taught 500 children in Lagos, Abuja, and Nasarawa about anti-corruption values, such as integrity, fairness, accountability, transparency, and honesty. Our unique storytelling tools, such as Halima’s Vote film and book, were used to convey these values to the children. In addition, they were also educated on the importance of voting with integrity and the negative impact vote-selling can have on service delivery. For those who haven’t had the chance to watch Halima’s Vote film, we encourage you to click here to view the animation or live-action versions.
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: EMBRACING EQUITY
We marked Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day in a special way at Step Up Nigeria. The #StepUpWomen created the “Dear Woman” series – a collection of heartfelt letters written to inspire and celebrate women worldwide. In addition, we hosted a three-part book reading session of Tosin’s Story, which aimed to motivate women to make a difference in their respective fields while promoting integrity. Click on the following links for Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of the book reading session. As we strive for a more inclusive society, we encourage everyone to #EmbraceEquity.
CHILDREN WHO WRITE!
We commemorated World Poetry Day by showcasing the creativity of Nigerian children aged 10 to 13, who wrote unique poems on corruption and vote-buying. The poems are a testament to the children’s understanding of these societal issues. We invite you to read their poems and share your thoughts. Furthermore, additional poems on corruption written by children can be found HERE.
EMPOWERED COMMUNITY DEMANDS ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER AND ELECTRICITY THROUGH STRATEGIC VOTING
We’re happy to share a success story from the Agunji community where they once lacked easy access to clean drinking water. Due to a faulty solar engine and vandalism of their solar panel, the community suffered from water scarcity and great despair. However, during the campaign season, three House of Assembly candidates visited the community to seek their votes. Remembering the lessons taught by the Step Up Nigeria team, the community made a demand for new solar panels, a solar engine, and a transformer in exchange for their votes. To their delight, all three candidates fulfilled their promises, and the new machines were installed before the Governorship and State Assembly elections on March 18th. As a result, the Agunji community now has access to clean drinking water and electricity! Watch the video HERE!
EP:80 ASSESSING THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTIONS: YOUTH EDITION
Get ready to hear from three young voters, including two first-time voters, as they share their experiences at the just concluded 2023 general elections. From their expectations to suggestions, and finally, lessons learned, they have a lot to say! This insightful episode is not to be missed. So, grab your headphones and click HERE to listen and gain a unique perspective on the future of our democracy.
CHECK OUT OUR TIKTOK VIDEOS
Tiri gbosa for our first-time voters! They have put a lot of work into fighting for better services in their communities. Watch their inspiring videos on our TikTok. Click HERE and HERE.
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