The fifth Amartya Sen Prize will be awarded in March 2018 by Academics Stand Against Poverty and Global Financial Integrity for the two best original essays on assessing the human impact of illicit financial flows out of Africa. This year’s winning recipient is Kenneth Okpomo, with the second place being awarded to Janet Bolarinwa.
Both recipients will accept their prizes and prize monies personally at a social justice conference in Nairobi: \”Improving Domestic Resource Mobilization and Stemming Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs): Enhancing Institutionalised International Cooperation and local capacity for DRM\”; 12th – 15th March 2019, Hekima Jesuit University College Peace Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.
Kenneth Okpomo was educated at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (Enugu state) where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree (Hons) in Sociology and Anthropology. While at this university he took courses on Social Research Methodology, Sociological Theories & Analysis, Race and Ethnic Relations, and Criminology & Penology. Kenneth is currently enrolled for the Master of Science degree in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution at the National Open University of Nigeria.
He has, at various times, been a freelance journalist and writer. As an interdisciplinary scholar, his area of interests cut across the social sciences and humanities. Kenneth’s articles have appeared in mediums/channels such as The Post Express, Nigerian Voice, Gamji News, Bizness Watch International, My Spur Magazine, and the Journal of Medical Humanities.
His essays (well noted for their rare insights and astute analysis) have been awarded prizes by institutions in the United States, United Kingdom, Netherlands, South Korea, South Africa, and Nigeria. In mid 2018, Kenneth won the first prize in the Daisy Alliance Essay Contest for his essay \”The North Korean Nuclear Conundrum: Is a Peaceful Resolution Possible?”-
He is also the recipient of the Ashridge Business School/Guardian Media Group Essay Prize (Best Overseas Category) with his essay on the challenges confronting public-sector leaders in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger-Delta region, among other awards.
Janet Oluwayinka Bolarinwa, is a Nigerian from Oyo State, who attended the University of Jos where she graduated with a BSc (Ed) in Physics Education. Subsequently Janet went on to study her Masters in Education Technology in the National University of Nigeria and his hoping to start her PhD soon.
Janet currently works as a Civil Servant in Nigeria working with the Independent National Electoral Commission.