To promote a culture of integrity and anti-corruption among young Nigerians, a non-profit organisation, Open Africa Foundation, is spearheading an initiative to instil a culture of integrity and anti-corruption among secondary school students. The aim is to equip them with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions and become champions of integrity and anti-corruption agents in society.
Speaking at a conference, Mr Tuji Aworinde, founder of Open Africa Foundation, said the future of Nigeria’s integrity and anti-corruption efforts lies in the hands of our youth.
He said the foundation aims to create a future where integrity and transparency thrive by educating and empowering young Nigerians.
He said the conference aims to inspire and empower secondary school students to become champions of integrity and anti-corruption, equipping them with knowledge and skills to make informed decisions.
According to him, the program, now in its 9th year, aims to equip students with knowledge and skills to make informed decisions and become champions of integrity and anti-corruption.
He explained that the students participated in an essay writing competition, with the top seven winners receiving prizes.
Their schools were also awarded commemorative plaques to celebrate their excellence.
The Foundation Founder emphasised the conference’s goal of motivating and supporting young people in today’s challenging environment.
“This initiative recognises the importance of nurturing integrity and excellence in the next generation. The conference has become a cornerstone of efforts to promote integrity and fight financial crime in Nigeria “.
“We are committed to nurturing a culture of integrity and transparency among young Nigerians.”
The Director of Fraud, Risk Prevention, and Control at the EFCC, Mr Francis Usani, said youth can play a significant role in fighting corruption by speaking out against it, sensitising peer groups to its adverse effects, and supporting anti-corruption initiatives.
He says there’s indeed hope for Nigeria despite the current challenges. The system has a way of purging itself, and with the current administration’s strategies and policies, especially those aimed at combating corruption, there’s a bright future ahead.
“The Nigerian Education Loan Fund is a great example of this. It provides opportunities for less privileged children to access education, addressing poverty-related issues that often lead to corruption and crime”.
He said there’s reason to believe in Nigeria’s potential. With collective effort and commitment, a brighter future is possible.