The Executive Secretary Bayelsa State Education Development Trust Fund Board, Dr. (Mrs.) Alice Atuwo has been conferred with an Honorific Award of Integrity Icon of Nigeria (IION).

The Executive Director, Ethicist (Prince) Salih Musa Yakubu, who on behalf of the Centre for Ethics and Self Value Orientation, an International Anti-corruption NGO, Kogi State Chapter, made the presentation at the Fund’s Secretariat in Yenagoa. Prince Yakubu described Dr. Atuwo as an efficient administrator with an exemplary leadership trait with professional conduct and ethical uprightness in the workplace as well as committed to serving humanity with zero tolerance to corruption.

The group, also presented to the EDTF Board a “Corporate Ethics and Integrity Compliance Award as well as commended two staffs of the Board, Mr. Nanade Wilfred, Director Finance and Accounts (DFA) and Bonami Larry Oyilisi, Director Human Resource Management for outstanding professional Ethics compliance and quality service delivery in the State.

According to the Non-Governmental Organization, the EDTF is not a substantive Ministry but has exceled professionally in the quest to deliver qualitative and unsentimental support for the development of education in the State noting that EDTF is the most efficient Board among agencies in Bayelsa State.

It further announced the organization’s resolve to carry out two days free training programme for 100 staff of the EDTF with the Theme: Understanding the Fundamentals of Workplace Ethics and Public Service Value Mentality.

The body used the occasion to commend Governor Douye Diri for the outstanding performance in infrastructural development in Bayelsa State particularly in the educational sector while urging the EDTF to intensify efforts to think outside the box to attract the multinationals who are willing to support the Trust Fund to achieve set goals.

In her acceptance remarks, the Executive Secretary EDTF, Dr. (Mrs.) Alice Atuwo (IION) who dedicated the award to God said, she was elated being selected among the top 100 highly rated most ethical and responsible professionals in Nigeria.

She applauded the gesture of the organization and promised to sustain the Honorific Award to ensure that more people are identified through the award exercise and bring into the fold for selfless service to humanity.

Also contributing, The Acting Chairman of EDTF Board, Prof. Francis Sikoki said, he was overwhelmed by the organization gesture for identifying the EDTF as the best in terms of compliance towards zero tolerance in corruption as well as observant of the ethics of service to humanity.

Prof. Sikoki further commended the efforts of the organization identifying the EDTF by bringing it to the Centre Stage of Agencies that are above corruption and assured of the Board preparedness to continue to sustain the philosophy of corruption free Agency.

He expressed happiness towards the offer of free training of 100 staff of EDTF as part of their contribution to build capacity to enhance productivity

Prof. Sikoki added that, the EDTF shares related values with their organization with zero tolerance in corruption noting that, the relationship that has existed between the two agencies would flourish over time.