Engineer Benson Adeola of Radio Nigeria’s Head Quarters Engineering Department, is taking professionalism to higher height by becoming an inaugural fellow at the Policy and Innovation Centre (PIC) of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) alongside 29 other fellows at the Behavioural Insights Network Transparency Accountability (BiNTA) Fellowship Programme in Nigeria on Transparency, supported by the MacArthur Foundation.
This milestine is a 6-months long program 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.
In a welcome remarks at the three-day induction and training program, Dr. Osasuyi Dirisu, the Executive Director of the PIC, congratulated the fellows for being part of the programme as it is a recognition of their passion and commitment to birthing a new Nigeria devoid of corruption. Dr. Dirisu also explained that the fellowship programme has been designed to strengthen fellows’ capacity to succeed as effective anti-corruption changemakers. 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 all the way, the BiNTA methodology is sure to develop into frontline behavioural change practitioners, uniquely empowered to drive lasting and sustainable change through human-centred policies, programmes and interventions.”
In the course of the three-day training event the Co-Director at the MacArthur Foundation on Nigeria Programme, Erin Sines and, the Senior Programme Officer Dr. Amina Saliu, paid the fellows and inductees a visit to welcome them on board and prepare them for the challenge ahead. The training was facilitated by experts including 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 BI Team; Akinwumi Akinola, BI Lead at the PIC; and Niyi Adekanla, Behavioural Economist at PIC.
Femi Obidare, the Programme Officer at PIC, while speaking said the fellowship has been designed “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 the On Nigeria Programme. and Dr. Amina Saliu, Senior Programme Officer at the MacArthur Foundation.
Speaking about the training, one of the fellows, Nathaniel Ovabor commended the PIC for a well-packaged training which has been insightful, unraveling and thought-provoking. He said it has deepened his understanding about the relevance of culture, choices and norms in shaping policies.”
The 30 selected fellows include; 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 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.
Story: Ehizogie Ohiani
Click Naija 2023