CAPs Friday (3/2)

Having observed the increased rate of corrupt practices in different sectors of Nigeria and its effect on Nigerian citizens. couple with his extensive passion for development in the marginalised rural communities in Nigeria. He had a burden to change the trend. He decided to sensitize the youths in the rural areas in order to change their mindset on corrupt practices and as well equip them to combat corruption since they are the most vulnerable at the receiving end, yet, they remain the proud future of the nation.

As a result, Babafemi Oyediran conducted a 3-day sensitization and empowerment training between 8th-10th September 2011 for Eighty Five (85) youths from Wushishi Community of Niger State in Nigeria and its environs. This was tagged “Rural Youths Against Corruption” (RYAC). This was a pilot initiative achieved using a perfect blend of Enterprise Development and ICT as a tool to combat corruption even from the core rural community.

The peak of the initiative was the unveiling of an online software and platform to report corruption cases. This was a pilot template online software that was developed to enable Nigerians report corruption cases via simple SMS from their mobile phones where ever they are. It was exhibited and test-run on a relative small scale where it effectiveness was proven beyond measures (this is presently being restructured with the view of scaling it up). An anticorruption blog platform was as well unveiled through which the online platform could be easily accessed via www.nigerianvoicesagainstcorruption.com.

The initiative was certainly not without challenges and bottle necks which were dominantly technical. Yet it did not fail to catch the attention of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offence Commission (ICPC) a foremost Nigeria Government parastertal in the fight against corruption. A representative was there to witness the unveiling of the platform and the commission has promised a continuous support for the initiative to perfect the online software technology and blow it up to a National scale.

The online based software created was such that allow people report corruption cases via simple SMS from their mobile phones and the software permits there reports to be automatically streamed on the platform online. This innovation does not require a mobile App nor any form of sophisticated phone to report corruption.

In the second phase of the project, Babafemi conducted an impact assessment survey in Wushishi and the result shows an amazing attitudinal change as well as huge watch out for corrupt practices with the word “corruption” one of the most popular word used by Wushishi youths and its environs. The Impact assessment conducted revealed the need to diversify energy and attention to the community heads since they are often the key player whom dictates the tune where corruption has been endemic. This led to the successful implementation of the Anticorruption sensitization for the community heads. This was adjudged to be the first of its kind in the history of Wushishi existence where youths gather the elders for enlightenment. The reverse has always been the case.

Also, with the joint support of National Youths Service Corp (NYSC) members, Secondary schools student were not left out knowing that they grow up to shape our societies. Hence, an anticorruption club was successfully set up in Wushishi central Day Secondary School in Wushishi, Niger State of Nigeria.

In November 2011, Babafemi was honoured with the prestigious Nigeria Youths Leadership Awards for 2011 by LEAP Africa for his Youth Leadership and Community Development initiatives.

- Babafemi, Global Changemaker from Nigeria

P.S.: For more photos, check RYAC – The project in pictures (PDF document).