U.S. ambassador launches YALI Transparency Campaign in Lagos

Members of the Young Africa Leaders Initiative (YALI) Monday in Lagos began a month-long “Transparency and Good Governance Campaign” to commemorate the 2017 International Anti-Corruption Day. The campaign, which seeks to explore ways that individuals can cultivate and encourage more transparent, accountable behavior, will involve a mix of online and in-person activities, including blog posts, ethical dilemma videos, Twitter chats and an online course on responsible leadership and transparency. Flagging off the campaign, the United States (U.S.) Ambassador, Stuart W. Symington, lauded the YALI Network members for dedicating their time and resources to enhancing transparency and integrity in their respective communities, according to a statement from the Public Affairs Section, U.S. Consulate General, Lagos. Symington assured of the readiness of the U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria to continue assisting the people and government of Nigeria in achieving greater openness and transparency, adding that the U.S. Mission has also provided assistance to organisations working to strengthen transparency. “By coming together to lead this transparency and good governance campaign, you have answered the question of ‘what can I do’ for my country,” he told the audience comprising youth leaders in community development, politics and civic issues. “As you reach out to your friends and associates in the coming weeks, make sure they know it’s not them against their leaders. More importantly, in everything that you do during this campaign, be constructive.” Panelists, including the Co-Founder/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian civic start-up, BudgIT, Oluseun Onigbinde, and National Youth Caucus Leader of KOWA Party, Jude Feranmi, discussed youth participation in politics, best practices in encouraging transparency at all levels of government, as well as the role of non-governmental organisations and advocacy groups in promoting good governance. YALI Network, which includes over 230,000 young Africans from across the continent, is a long-term effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders and strengthen partnerships between Africa and the U.S. On its part, the U.S. Department of State, through its Bureau of International Information Programmes, provides both digital and off-line resources to these emerging leaders to help them build the needed skills and connections to become a positive force for change in their communities.