As Nigeria continues to grapple with unethical practices in public service, Accountability Lab has stressed the need to reward and spotlight individuals who have demonstrated commitment to integrity and have stood against corrupt practices while discharging their duties in service.
Blessing Anolaba, Storytelling Development Officer, Accountability Lab, Nigeria, gave the charge yesterday in Abuja at an event to honour five courageous public servants who stood against corruption in service over the years.
The officials rewarded include Kamoshi Tada, an inspector with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF); Mr Olugbenga Johnson Kuye, an auditor; Mr Ezekiel Osemuahu Obazele, a procurement officer; Mrs Ojoge Omobola Temitope, a secondary school principal; and Mr Idowu Quadri, also a procurement officer.
The Integrity Award, put together by Accountability Lab Nigeria in partnership with the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Luminate, and the Yar’Adua Foundation, is the 7th edition of the Integrity Icon Summit and Awards.
Anolaba, who lamented that corruption in service was undermining governance and economic growth, explained that the award is a global campaign that identifies, celebrates, and amplifies the stories of public servants who embody the principles of honesty, accountability, and responsible leadership.
According to her, by spotlighting individuals who demonstrate commitment to integrity, the award not only inspires others to follow their example but also builds momentum for a collective demand for reform.
She noted that the initiative was introduced because the country was still confronted with a profound challenge in promoting a culture of integrity amidst pervasive corruption and a persistent lack of accountability.
This development, she noted, has deeply eroded public trust in governance and public offices, casting a shadow over the nation’s prospects for sustainable development.
She said: “The 2023 Corruption Perception Index highlights these challenges, placing Nigeria 154th out of 180 countries, signalling an alarming prevalence of corruption in both public and private sectors.
“Similarly, the Global Governance Efficiency Index paints a picture of the country’s performance on key metrics, including government effectiveness, regulatory quality, and adherence to the rule of law.
“These deficiencies underscore the urgency for transformative reforms to address systemic inefficiencies and promote accountability.”
In his keynote address, the Founding Executive Director, African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD), Dr. Otive Igbuzor, noted that building trust in governance processes is both an urgent necessity and a collective responsibility.
According to Igbuzor, the persistent trust deficit, fuelled by corruption, lack of transparency, and weak institutional frameworks, demands deliberate and sustained actions from all stakeholders, adding that ethical behaviours and positive norms form the cornerstone of trustworthy governance, fostering transparency, accountability, and inclusivity.
“As we celebrate individuals who embody integrity at this summit, let their examples serve as a clarion call for all leaders and institutions to prioritize ethical conduct and adopt positive governance norms.
“Rebuilding trust in governance is not just about institutional reforms; it is about restoring hope and confidence in leadership and creating an environment where citizens feel represented and valued,” he added.
