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In view of Africa’s poor record in governance and the need to address it, African Initiative for Governance (AIG) has called for applications for its 2017 scholarships for a Masters Degree in Public Policy at the renowned Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University.
AIG founders, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede and Herbert Wigwe, made the call ahead of the inaugural meeting of the initiative’s panel of advisors in Lagos.
According to the founder, the AIG will fund five scholarships each year as part of a new five-year partnership which is based on the shared purpose of building good governance and public leadership.
Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of the Africa Initiative for Governance, said “The AIG scholarship and fellowship initiative are scalable interventions aimed at tackling Africa’s intractable challenge of poor public sector leadership.
“I am confident that our partnership with Oxford University’s prestigious Blavatnik School will become fertile ground for growing future statesmen and women who will change the African continent for good. I encourage anyone who believes that they fit the profile for these scholarships and fellowships to apply,” he said.
According to a statement received by BusinessDay, the AIG is a foundation established in recognition of the fact that Africa’s poor record of public sector governance is a critical factor preventing the continent from achieving its true potential. The initiative, the statement said, brings together proven private sector innovation, leadership and funding into a private-public partnership to attract, inspire and support future leaders of Africa’s public sector.
The AIG believes that the high-calibre individuals trained at the Blavatnik School will drive best practice standards of governance across Africa, ensuring sustainable economic growth and social justice.
“The AIG Scholarships will have an initial focus on candidates from Nigeria and Ghana, allowing the students to study for a Master of Public Policy, alongside classmates from across the globe.
“The scholarships will be available to those who can demonstrate academic excellence, proven leadership and commitment to public service and who intend to return to the public sector in Africa after completing their studies,” the statement read.
The scholarship scheme will combine with the academic fellowship scheme. The AIG Visiting Fellowship will also be available from 2017, open to candidates who can demonstrate an outstanding contribution to public policy that has yielded meaningful impact on the public good and commitment to public service in their country, region and globally. The fellowship is open to senior officials or practitioners working in or with government and who are resident in West Africa.
Ngaire Woods, Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government said, “We are deeply grateful to the Africa Initiative for Governance for partnering with us. The Blavatnik School of Government shares with the AIG, a clear purpose to transform government through effective leadership and better governance.
“The shared programme will enable excellent West Africa scholars, from all backgrounds to study for an MPP and will also bring senior practitioners from the region to the School as AIG Visitng Fellows – providing opportunities to help drive transformational public sector leadership across the African continent.”
FRANK ELEANYA
