BudgIT, a civic organization that applies technology to intersect citizen engagement with institutional improvement to facilitate societal change, has nominated YMonitor Team Lead, Olamilekan Qayum Omidiji for the Awards for Civic Activism.
The awards, which aim to recognise personalities doing exceptional work within Nigeria’s civic ecosystem, will take place on September 10, 2022, at the Civic Centre, Lagos. According to BudgiT, the award has ten categories, of which only five are open for nomination. Others shortlisted for the Civic Activism category with Olamilekan include Hauwa Allahbura of PullUpNaija, Muazu Modu of Spotlight for Transparency and Accountability, and Nelson Olanipekun of Citizen Gravel.
Omidiji Olamilekan is a young civic actor passionate about using the media as an active tool to galvanize young Africans into action. As the team lead, he is responsible for managing several projects of YMonitor that continue to highlight crucial governance issues and enlighten Nigerians. These include nationwide campaign on public adoption of the Freedom of Information Act, Electoral Reforms campaign, My Vote My Voice campaign, delivery of public goods in Local Governments, My Vote My Voice campaign, and Nigerian Symposium for Young and Emerging Leaders, among others.
When he isn’t working, you will find Olamilekan volunteering for The Grassroot Aid Initiative (TGAI), an NGO committed to improving the well-being of rural dwellers through Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). Olamilekan is an experienced project manager, researcher, data analyst, and journalist with professional experience across all media genres. He recently led the training and induction of 600 young social innovators as YMonitor My Vote, My Voice advocates to conduct nationwide voter education and sensitization.
YMonitor Accountability Project continues to effectively monitor, track, and provide information to the public on issues crucial to governance in the last six years. The project has provided critical information to citizens who have stimulated them towards demanding good governance.