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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Five public servants, Inspector Kamoshi Tadah; a Police Officer from Fagge Police Station, Kano; Mr. Olugbenga Kuye, an auditor at Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre (LASAEC), has been rewarded for pushing and promoting effective public service through an effective governance system
Other awardees are Mr. Idowu Quadri, a procurement officer at Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area, Lagos State; Mr. Ezekiel Osemuahu, a procurement officer at Edo State Public Procurement Agency and Mrs. Temitope Ojoge, Principal of Fiwasaye Girl’s Grammar School, Ondo State, who were also inducted into the hall of fame of the Integrity Icons
The awardees were openly celebrated at an event organised by the Accountability Lab Nigeria in partnership with John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation, Luminate and Yar’Adua Foundation, in Abuja, on Thursday.
In his welcome address, the Country Director, Accountability Lab Nigeria, Friday Odeh, said the efforts of the awardees aligned with the goals and aspirations of Accountability Lab Nigeria which is to make governance work for people by supporting active citizens, responsible leaders and accountable institutions.
He said: “Accountability Lab is a global translocal network operating in several countries of the world with same objectives and goal which is to have a world in which resources are used wisely, decisions benefit everyone fairly, and people lead secure lives.”
He congratulated the awardees and urged them to continue to be good examples worthy of emulation from other people so that the collective efforts could make the world a better place.
Dr. Otive Igbuzor, Founding Executive Director,
African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development, in a keynote address titled “building trust in governance processes: the power of ethical behaviours and positive norms,” highlighted that trust deficit has been the reason for the major disconnect between the government and the people.
He said: “Trust is the foundation of governance. The idea of the social contract is that citizens trust government to provide for their security and welfare, and then they explicitly or implicitly surrender some of their freedoms and allow the state to bear arms to protect them. Trust enables citizens to believe in the legitimacy of government actions, fosters collaboration, and ensures the stability of institutions.
“However, trust is fragile and easily eroded when governance processes are characterized by unethical practices and weak norms. Thus, rebuilding trust requires a conscious focus on cultivating ethical behaviours and embedding positive norms into governance structures.”
He stated that building trust in governance processes is both an urgent necessity and a collective responsibility, adding that persistent trust deficit, fuelled by corruption, lack of transparency, and weak institutional frameworks, demands deliberate and sustained actions from all stakeholders.
“As we celebrate individuals who embody integrity at this summit, let their examples serve as a clarion call for all leaders and institutions to prioritize ethical conduct and adopt positive governance norms. Rebuilding trust in governance is not just about institutional reforms; it is about restoring hope and confidence in leadership and creating an environment where citizens feel represented and valued.
“Let us remain committed to strengthening institutions, promoting ethical leadership, and embedding the principles of justice, equity, and accountability in governance. Through our collective effort, we can overcome trust deficits and establish a governance framework that truly reflects the aspirations of the people it serves,” he suggested.
An award recipient, Ezekiel Osemuahu Obazele, appreciated the recognition, stressing that it will encourage him to put in more effort in promoting transparency and accountability in his official and unofficial activities.
