Anti-corruption initiatives: Policy Innovation Centre inducts 30 fellows
The Policy and Innovation Centre (PIC) of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) has inducted 30 fellows from various sectors who are committed to driving anti-corruption initiatives. This was done during its inaugural Behavioural Insights Network Transparency Accountability (BiNTA) Fellowship Programme in Nigeria, which took place in Abuja from November 1st to 3rd, 2023.
The BiNTA fellowship programme, which is supported by MacArthur Foundation is a 6-month long programme with the aim to strengthen the capacity of anti-corruption changemakers to leverage behaviourial insights in disrupting the socially normative status of corruption in Nigeria.
The fellowship includes training, a co-creation period, and an implementation phase that allows fellows to implement anti-corruption programmes with the support of mentors and experts within the anti-corruption space.
While delivering her welcome remarks at the three-day induction and training program, Dr. Osasuyi Dirisu, the Executive Director of the PIC, congratulated selected fellows for being part of the fellowship program, which is a recognition of their passion and commitment to birthing a new Nigeria devoid of corruption.
Dr. Osasuyi Dirisu, the Executive Director of the PIC, with the 30 BiNTA fellows.
She said, “with a training curriculum developed based on evidence, a faculty of seasoned experts and mentors, and a team of experienced professionals prepared to support you all the way, the BiNTA methodology is sure to develop you into frontline behavioural change practitioners, uniquely empowered to drive lasting and sustainable change through human-centred policies, programmes and interventions.”
Also speaking at the event, the Programme Officer at PIC, Femi Obidare, added that “with the aim to strengthen the capacity of anti-corruption changemakers to leverage Behavioural Insights (BI) in disrupting the socially normative status of corruption in Nigeria.”
Obidare charged all fellows to “maintain highest standards of probity, transparency, and accountability during and after the fellowship in all business, private and public affairs.”
The three-day training was facilitated by experts and professionals which includes: Prof Elijah Okebukola, a Senior Fellow at the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria at the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ACAN-ICPC); Zain Hussain, Associate Advisor in the Behavioural Insight (BI) Team; Akinwumi Akinola, BI Lead at the PIC; and Niyi Adekanla, Behavioural Economist with PIC.
During the course of the 3day Training, one of the inductees, Engineer Adeola David Benson, a Radio Nigeria Chief ICT officer was in attendance and attested to the veracity of the training which he said was very helpful in understanding the etymology of corruption and how to use Behavioural Insight (BI) in tackling it.
The 30 selected fellows are; Benson Adeola David, Oludamilola Onemano, Oluwabunmi Falebita, Ruth Tilley Gyado, Ayodeji Owadara, Godwin Agaba Ochube, Adamu Auta Adamu, Nathaniel Ovabor, Uchenna Arisukwu, Faith Nwadishi, Adebayo Abdulahi Adekunle, Opeyemi Ibitoye, Ayodele Ayotomiwa Olutayo, Blessing Oladunjoye, Daisi Omokungbe and Omata David.
Others are: Safiya Stephanie Musa, Ugbede Abdul, Victor Ajieroh, Orinya Agbaji Orinya, Shiiwua Mnenga, Motunrayo Momodu, Muhammad Sani Kassim, Muhammad Mubarak Abdulkarim, Ogunleye Paulinarh Bolatito, Winner Mugana, Tolulope Makinwa, Uchechi Uzozie Thelma, Goodness Omatule, and Daniel Stephen.