…… Icons Abdu, Isa, Barnabas headline activities
The Project Officer, Accountability Lab, Shiiwua Mnenga, has called for entrenchment of integrity in Nigeria, Gombe State in particular, noting that individuals including public, civil servants have roles to play.
Mnenga made this disclosure in Gombe shortly after a two-day workshop with the theme ‘Building a culture of integrity in Nigeria Public Service’.
The workshop held at Flourish Hotel Gombe , North-East, Nigeria from May 8-9, 2024, with participants cutting across relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
Our correspondent reports that the workshop was organised with support from MacArthur Foundation and Ford Foundation.
He said, “It’s s part of our campaign on integrity, innovation lab which aims at promoting transparency and building the culture of integrity in Nigeria.”
Speaking further on the choice of Gombe Mnenga added, “We have two icons here in Gombe State, the workshop was organised around them so that using them we can have more people in the hub as champions of integrity with a view to building a movement that will foster the culture individually. To ensure that the service is rid off acts that lacks transparency that doesn’t add up to quality service delivery.”
He added, “I want urge as many participants who had opportunity of attending the worship to go back and internalise the values, the benefits of what was learnt here by showing it out.”
Also, Director-General of Gombe Due Process Babayola Isa, while commending the organisers said, “The idea was to bring together civil and public workers in the state to know and understand the processes of accountability, transparency and integrity to ascertain their challenges so that we can address it and know the way forward. We hope to instil integrity into them for the benefit of the entire state.”
Isa who doubles as an integrity icon said, “we hope that lessons learned will be applied. We are expecting more of this engagement in the state so that alot of stakeholders will be invited to have the international best practices of service delivery to the state.”
On her part, Barrister Mwalin Abdu, said the workshop was geared towards supporting integrity icons in the hub to implement their learnings through training.
Abdu said, “Immediately after the award each year Accountability Lab trains us (icons) to build our capabilities on issues around integrity and accountability. The workshop was organised to support us in sharing our experiences in most cases it’s about naming and shaming but Accountability Lab does it to name and fame and so people now understand that it pays to do good.
“People must understand that when you are true to your work it has a lot of benefits. What Accountability Lab is now doing is to enlarge it, so that it wouldn’t be the four of us alone in the region it should be expanded by including civil servants.”
Speaking on her nomination process towards becoming an icon, She disclosed that her involvement in the prosecution of gender-based violence cases without accepting inducements paved way for her, adding that “Usually it comes with challenges some with inducements, others with harassment but I always stand my ground to ensure justice is served. These were part of what some people saw that made them nominate me.”
Also, Chief Magistrate Victoria Barnabas, who doubles as a Director High Court of Justice, Jalingo Taraba State, stated that the essence of the workshop was to identify those with high moral standards in their places of work.
She said, “They (participants), should know that it pays to be a person of integrity, we should know that Nigeria is ripe for us to effect corrections. We should make sure things are corrected by doing the right things and that there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
She commended Accountability Lab for bringing the workshop to Gombe State, saying “Participants are going home with the change mindset, ways of doing things will change. Some don’t know that appreciation after task is a way of having undue influence but now because of this workshop that orientation has been changed not to collect, be contented with what you are have. You shouldn’t be scared be focused, don’t compromise.”
She added, “My stand in life distinguished me, I don’t compromise as Judiciary Officer, in justice delivery sector there are many things going on don’t take bribe. It’s good to do the right thing even in the darkest corner, just do the right thing because you know it’s the right thing to be done.”
Earlier, Secretary to Government of Gombe State Professor Ibrahim Njodi, represented by the Director-General Research and Documentation Government House, Dr Mua’zu Shehu, noted that integrity is an essential aspect of any successful society, adding that it’s particularly crucial for public institutions entrusted with the task of serving the public.
He explained that the Nigerian Government recognises the importance of fostering a culture of integrity within the public service, because of the crucial role it plays in achieving national development goals.
“Public service integrity refers to the ethical and moral conduct of public officials in the discharge of their duties. It involves upholding high standards, acting with integrity, and making decisions in the best interest of the public. When public service is infused with integrity, it promotes trust, accountability, and good governance, leading to better outcomes for the nation,” Njodi said.
The highlight of the two-day workshop was the panel discussion with the integrity icons on the topic; ‘Can I be a trendsetter or influence collective practices within my institutions?‘
