The five integrity icons—Ogundare Samuel, the director of the Ondo state bureau of public procurement; Lois Akut, a physician in Kaduna state; Wodi Seiyefa, a lecturer in Bayelsa state; Nkwada Ogechukwu from Government Secondary School in Ebonyi state; and Catherine Ogunjebi, head of legal services at the Ondo state contributory health commission—were honored on Thursday in Abuja.
Speaking, Ehi Idakwo, Manager of Labs Programs and Learning, revealed that the five integrity icons that were recognized stood for the truth and were steadfast in their dedication to the integrity cause. "These are not mythical heroes; rather, they are everyday people achieving extraordinary feats by putting principle before profit and convenience over falsehoods." She continued.
Idakwo expressed regret that research has continuously shown that Nigerians, who are aware that their actions are illegal, frequently partake in illicit and corrupt activities because they think others are doing the same. Idakwo maintained that this is because the country adheres to the social learning theory, which holds that people pick up social behaviors by watching and copying others.
According to her, the organization would use its Integrity Icons and deliberate behavioral messaging to refute the myths and prejudices that encourage corrupt activities across the nation.
The efficacy of social learning is a belief held by Accountability Lab Nigeria. We think we may change norms and behaviors as a group by seeing ourselves reflected in the stories of our icons and by witnessing integrity.
One important element that unites all these inspiring tales is the same core principle of "Integrity." There were 2,628 nominations for our volunteers in 36 states this year, a 60 percent increase over the previous year's total.
But as our field volunteers document, corruption tends to breed more corruption, undermining social values like justice, honesty, and integrity as well as a feeling of community and widespread mistrust of government agencies and anti-corruption campaigns.