Students, parents, teachers and out-of-school persons have been awarded as the 2023 Anti-Corruption Star Champions by Step Up Nigeria, an anti-corruption non-governmental organization.
The award, with support of the MacArthur Foundation, was designed to identify and reward integrity and anti-corruption champions across different age groups in the country.
The event; “2023 Anti-Corruption Star Awards: Inspiring Change by Recognizing Integrity Champions,” was held in Lagos, Abuja, Nasarawa and virtually on Friday.
The Director of Programmes for Step Up Nigeria, Feranmi Iyanda, said the organization is determined to celebrate and award individuals who have taken actions to promote integrity or shun corruption.
‘The anti-corruption star award is a yearly event where we celebrate our beneficiaries which includes children from primary and secondary schools, parents, teachers, members of communities, people who are taking everyday actions even in the government sector and education stakeholders.
“Our award is different and special because it’s not just big people who do things that make the news but everyday Nigerians in schools and homes doing little things in their communities to make a change in Nigeria.” She added.
The award winners included primary and secondary school students, parents, teachers, school owners, out-of-school youths and others.
The award categories include– Junior Young Anti-Corruption Star, Senior Young Anti-Corruption Star, Out-of-School Anti-Corruption Star, Teacher Anti-Corruption Star, Parent Anti-Corruption Star, Special Recognition Award, Special Dedication Award, Community Anti-Corruption Star, and First-time Voter Anti-Corruption Star.
In his remark, the spokesperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Dele Oyewale, called on both the awardees and Nigerians to unite on the resolve that corruption must not continue.
Oyewale added that while this award is geared towards rewarding integrity across different layers of the society, he noted that when people are rewarded based on their integrity, they will shun corruption.
Also, the Provost of the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), Professor Olatunde Babawale, representing the ICPC Boss, said “while people are normalizing corruption, it is our challenge to change the narrative.”
He maintained that: “the fight against corruption is not for the anti-corruption agencies alone but a collective action must be taken to thwart corruption in the country.
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