BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
Committed to social change, a Non-governmental Organisation, Step Up Nigeria in partnership with the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF) has honoured young creatives at World Whistleblower Day Art and Media Competition 2026.
Executive Director of PPLAAF, Jimmy Kande presented cash and a plaque to each winner of the competition that cut across 31 states.
The competition drew 172 entries from young people, with 111 male and 61 female participants showcasing exceptional talent in skits, music, poetry, art, and writing.
This was even as the entries creatively highlighted vital themes of whistleblowing, integrity, citizen responsibility, and the need to strengthen legal protection for whistleblowers in Nigeria.
The winners are Gilbert Owan in the Skit Category, titled, ‘The Pledge’; Akinfolarin Jeremiah Damilola (Music Category) ‘Voice Against Silence’; Anita Chigbomkpa Nwokoji (Poetry and Spoken Word) ‘On The 7th Floor’; Moses Idowu Sodipo (Art Category) ‘The Veil of Governance’; and Oguche Gabriel Onuche (Written Article Category) ‘In A World of Loud Evil, Silence is Permission’.
Kande underscored how art and media serve as powerful, accessible tools for raising awareness and driving action in the fight against corruption, as well as advancing whistleblower protection, and complementing traditional advocacy efforts.
The awards ceremony followed an earlier media roundtable and conference organised by Step Up Nigeria.
Director of Programmes, Step Up Nigeria, Feranmi Iyanda noted that the competition reflected a growing interest among young people in whistleblowing and accountability.
She disclosed that each winner would receive a cash prize of ₦500,000 and would form the first cohort of World Whistleblower Day Fellows.
The network is expected to mentor future participants and sustain long-term advocacy efforts.
Iyanda explained that whistleblowing extends beyond anti-corruption to include reporting issues related to public safety, security, environmental concerns, and other matters of public interest.
Communications Manager for Step Up Nigeria, Shekwogaza Kure said that the competition was designed to amplify young voices and stimulate broader conversations around whistleblowing, accountability, transparency, and stronger legal protection for whistleblowers.
“The competition gives young Nigerians an opportunity to use creativity as a tool for advocacy,” he added.
Kure stated that Step Up Nigeria would release two podcast episodes as part of activities marking World Whistleblower Day, featuring experts and the competition winners.
Representative of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Suleiman Achebe highlighted the commission’s ongoing efforts to promote integrity among young Nigerians through student anti-corruption clubs in secondary schools and the Student Anti-Corruption Vanguard in tertiary institutions.
“Part of the bigger definition of integrity is doing the right thing even when nobody is watching,” he said.
The winners expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating that the competition validated their talents and reinforced their commitment to leveraging creativity for social change and greater accountability.
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