The dogmatic approach by Western media has pigeonholed Africa as a dark continent bedeviled with poverty, tribal anarchy, civil war, political instability, brazen corruption and lack of competent leadership which has turned the Continent to a " shittehole". Very little or nothing is reported of African men and women who have demonstrated high level of integrity in the perceived corrupt society. African Integrity Prize (AIP) is a concept of the African Child Foundation to introduce a paradigm shift from corrupt tendencies to value for integrity. We believe that the sustained showcasing and promotion of integrity, merit based on excellence are the key drivers to continuous innovations and inventions by the people and organizations, towards economic progress and advancement of mankind.
In the Michael Young sense, "Merit is equated with intelligence-plus-effort", which requires to be constantly recognized and rewarded for the sustenance and advancement of society.
Thus meritocracy, which is consistent with egalitarianism, has thrived for many years in both the ancient and modern societies as the critical driving force behind economic and social progress as well as peace and security of nations of the world.
In this connection, AIP is a value-driven project of the African Child Foundation for identifying, recognizing and rewarding Africans and friends, brands, products, individuals and organizations who put the continent first in positive light, for their demonstrated ability to sustain Integrity, innovate and invent for the social economic progress of the Continent, individuals and organizations who have proffered way forward using home grown solution to solve the devastating effect of corruption, ineptitude, poverty, quackery, i.e Africa's solution to African Problems rather than begging for foreign aid and also for the promotion of excellence in the academic system towards that end.
The African Integrity Prize has gradually remedied societal menace such as get rich quick syndrome, which is systematically giving way to mentorship as panacea for success. Young Africans are gradually returning to the basic foundation of Africa's morals, which is highly entrenched in the core value of hard work, maintaining integrity in the face of intimidation and immediate reward, as sure and only road to enduring success. This we owe to the excellent and remarkable performances of our AIP Laureates.
