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September 13, 2021

Sterling Bank Launches Africa’s First Free Banking Service For Nonprofits

Press Release – Sterling Bank Launched Africa’s First Free Banking Service for Nonprofits.

Lagos, Nigeria, September 13/NNNGO/– Recently Sterling Bank, Sterling One and Nigeria Network of NGOs launched a new banking product for Nigerian nonprofits- Sterling C.A.R.E.S (https://sterling.ng/cares/ ) to commemorate the International Day of Charities. This is Africa’s first free banking service for nonprofits.

The Sterling C.A.R.E.S account allows nonprofits to operate their corporate accounts without account maintenance fee (AMF) and transaction charges forever. The only applicable charge on the account is for SMS notifications. This product is open only to nonprofits, that is, legal entities operated for social benefit. It is introduced to help nonprofits keep costs down at this challenging time when their work and support is needed now more than ever by groups often left behind.

With this product, Sterling Bank Plc has indeed democratised its corporate social responsibility as nonprofits interested in saving costs on banking services can now voluntarily approach any Sterling Bank branch (https://allnigeriabanks.com/all-sterling-bank-branches-in-nigeria-and-their-addresses/ ) in any State of the Federation to open a Sterling C.A.R.E.S account with no initial or minimum deposit. The account comes will the full bouquet of banking services enjoyed by any corporate customer with no hidden charges.

Oyebisi, B. Oluseyi, Executive Director at the Nigeria Network of NGOs says: “This novel product is a revolutionary declaration of support by Sterling Bank and Sterling One Foundation for those organisations committed to helping the vulnerable and whose works supports the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria. It is indeed a landmark nonprofit banking product in our history and on the African continent that we know of. This will go a long way in further increasing both the social and economic impact of Nigerian civil society organisations by freeing up more resources to scale nonprofit solutions”.

“Sterling C.A.R.E.S is a child of necessity introduced to support financing of the Sustainable Development Goals via fee-free banking for nonprofits. With its introduction, everyday banking transactions are now at no cost. The era of payment of bank charges by nonprofits is over! They can now bring their banking cost down and do more with the savings from account maintenance fees and transactions related charges. Additional benefits include access to a full bouquet of online banking services and a donation link on the website of nonprofits for receiving local and international transfers,” Olapeju Ibekwe, Chief Executive Officer, Sterling One Foundation noted.

Quick facts

Sterling C.A.R.E.S
• Has no tenure. Nonprofit customers can expect to enjoy this free banking service for as long as they keep an account with Sterling Bank.
• Is for traditional nonprofits (not for religious nonprofits, schools etc).
• Available to all registered nonprofits across the country.
• SMS charges and statutory charges apply (stamp duties and VAT) – these are 3rd party charges that Sterling Bank has no control over.
• To ensure smooth operations, relationship officers have been assigned to walk nonprofit customers through the application process. Contact them here (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dM1tWP0iP9A5204l0IM27I6XudcgJcjY/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102114408723031347429&rtpof=true&sd=true )

For more information: https://sterling.ng/cares/

August 9, 2021

Urgent: Reputational Damage by Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Matthew T. Page

Urgent: Reputational Damage by Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Matthew T. Page

Dear Members,

The Nigeria Network of NGOs is bringing to your attention a report published on Wednesday 28 July 2021, listing the Nigeria Network of NGOs as a “fake civil society organisation and pro-government NGO”. The report was published by Matthew T Page a non-resident Fellow at Carnegie Endowment based in Washington DC.

In his note (Appendix 3) labelled “Based on analysis of a detailed, author-compiled data set of more than 360 pro-government NGOs It is accessible at: https://tinyurl.com/55bem3n8” and his analysis of NNNGO on serial number 313, the level of “analysis of a detailed, author-compiled data set” that went into this research is revealed when compared with the wealth of information about the Network on our website at www.nnngo.org

As part of a formal response, we thought it important to inform our esteemed members, all 3033 of you on this development and to make a clear stand against this publication essentially because it goes against our mission, vision and purpose as an organisation. This report presents a completely wrong image of the Network and its claims, based on lack of evidence or sufficient information as is seen from the dearth of information about the Network.

We have launched an official communications strategy to enable us effectively respond to these allegations and have begun the processes to ensuring the allegations are retracted and an official apology issued by the researcher and the publishing organisation by issuing a formal letter addressed to the Interim President of Carnegie Endowment International for Peace. Read the letter here https://nnngo.org/initial-response-to-carnegie-and-mr-t-page-on-fake-civil-society-report/

To show your support and stand during this process, we urge that you kindly sign the petition in this link https://nnngo.org/petition-against-defamation/ and share the creatives attached in this email using the hashtags #NNNGOisLegit #IStandWithNNNGO across your media platforms.

Thanks, as we continue to count on your loyalty as members of the Nigeria Network of NGOs.

Signed
Nigeria Network of NGOs
15, Ramat Crescent,
Ogudu GRA, Lagos

August 2, 2021

PRESS RELEASE – NNNGO welcomes ACT Foundation as a new member of the Network

PRESS RELEASE – NNNGO welcomes ACT Foundation as a new member of the Network

LAGOS, Nigeria, August 2, 2021/NNNGO— The Nigeria Network of NGOs (NNNGO) today announces the addition of Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation to our membership. This addition heralds a relationship that will further raise the Network’s profile and strengthen our efforts at building accountable and inclusive organisations.

Oyebisi, B. Oluseyi, Executive Director, Nigeria Network of NGOs welcomed ACT Foundation to the Network and noted that “ACT Foundation’s decision to join our membership in the sponsor category highlights the value the Foundation places on the nonprofit sector and the understanding of the role of grant-making organisations in strengthening the work of national associations like NNNGO to deliver critical initiatives, projects and programmes for the future of the nonprofit sector.”

“We are happy to have one of Nigeria’s foremost grant making Foundation that shares our long-term view that enabling, supporting, and building the capacity of nonprofits catalyses economic and community development joining us”, Oyebisi concluded.

The Chief Executive Officer, ACT Foundation, Osayi Alile noted that “We have a mandate to engage with stakeholders across various sectors who proffer solutions to challenges associated with host communities across our focus areas and to create a broad- based partnership with other institutions or donor organisations aimed at building sustainable communities.”

“On these core values, we continuously seek opportunities to work with remarkable organisations and working groups such as Nigeria Network of NGOs (NNNGO)towards creating systemic change in Nigeria and the across the African continent. Although young, we have successfully impacted over 1.9 million beneficiaries in 29 states in Nigeria and other African countries which includes South Africa, Ghana, Guinea, Cameroon and Kenya”, she concluded.

ACT Foundation sums up the Network’s membership strength to 3,033 as of June 15, 2021 and is the first member in the sponsor category since it was created in 2012. The Network is pleased to see more influential organisations joining its membership, supporting our work, and working towards the same goals.

About ACT Foundation

Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation is a grant-making nonprofit organization established in 2016 to support local, national, and regional non – profit organizations working to address challenges and associated vulnerabilities across the African Continent. We seek to promote broad based participation/partnership with other institution and/or donor organizations aimed at building sustainable communities and to provide innovative solutions to social, economic, and environmental challenges. https://actrustfoundation.org/

About NNNGO

The Nigeria Network of NGOs (NNNGO) is the first generic membership body for civil society organizations in Nigeria that facilitates effective advocacy on issues of poverty and other developmental issues. For 29 years, we have worked to give non-profits in the country the needed support to keep their doors open and to serve millions of communities, families, individuals and variety of causes that critically need their intervention. www.nnngo.org

For further information:
Oyindamola Aramide
oyindamola.aramide@nnngo.org
+234 906 946 0107

July 28, 2021

Petition Against Defamation

On Wednesday 28 July 2021, a research report listing the Nigeria Network of NGOs as a “fake civil society organisation and pro-government NGO” was published by Matthew T Page a non-resident Fellow at Carnegie Endowment based in Washington DC.

As part of a formal response, we call on Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria and across the world, our members, partners, donors and stakeholders to stand with us against this publication essentially because it goes against our mission, vision and purpose as an organisation. This report presents a completely wrong image of the Network and its claims, based on lack of evidence or sufficient information as is seen from the dearth of information about the Network within the report.

We urge that you sign this petition in support of NNNGO as we take a stand against these defamatory allegations

[emailpetition id=”1″]

March 1, 2021

CALL FOR FACILITATORS

Background
The Nigeria Network of NGOs (NNNGO) is the first generic membership body for civil society organisations in Nigeria that facilitates effective advocacy on issues of poverty and other developmental issues. Through its civil society reforms and strengthening programme, it has constructively engaged regulators and the National Assembly on laws guiding the operations of civil society organisations to improve the operational environment for nonprofits including improving the sector’s transparency and accountability.

With the support of Google.org, the Network is currently embarking on a project to build the capacity of nonprofits in Nigeria. It is aimed at addressing the findings (capacity gaps) identified in the Nonprofit Assessment research undertaken by the Nigeria Network of NGOs including the building of digital skills by nonprofit board, executive directors and staff.

NNNGO is therefore soliciting interest from experienced facilitators in the nonprofit sector (preferably Executive Directors), to work with the Network in training nonprofit board, Executive Directors and staff, in her events.

Scope of Work
The facilitator will work with NNNGO team to carry train nonprofits on three key events viz- Executive Director’s hangout, nonprofit management training and a board conference.
Specifically, the key areas for the events are:

i. Executive Directors hangout: interested facilitators should have experience in Leading nonprofit, Organisational concerns (such as staffing issues, board management, organisational management, time management, planning and strategy, fundraising and succession planning).

ii. Nonprofit management training: the facilitator should have broad insights on key current management issues for nonprofit organisations. Strategic planning, work planning, budgeting, communications, nonprofit friendly digital tools, skills and apps, reporting-narrative and financial management.

iii. Board conference: practical tips will be provided on nonprofit governance- board job description, terms of reference and ways of working, board governance codes and standards, understanding nonprofit audits and measuring the executive director’s performance.

Output and Deliverables
The facilitator will work with the NNNGO team in producing the following key deliverables:

i. A power point presentation and tools on related topic

ii. Delivery of training based on the power point presentations.

iii. A report on the event

iv. Analysis of an end of event evaluation survey

Duration and Time Schedule
The facilitator can only work in one location of an event, and it is expected to indicate an area of interest that can be handled properly. The events will take place from March through July.

Location and Dates for the events
i. Executive Director’s Hangout
• Lagos: March 17, 2021
• Kano: April 14, 2021
• Benin: April 20, 2021

ii. Nonprofit Management Training
• Port-Harcourt: May 3 – 7, 2021
• Abuja: May 23 – 27, 2021
• Ibadan: June 14 – 16, 2021

iii. Nonprofit Board Conference
• Lagos: July 15, 2021

Reporting
The facilitator shall report through the Project Officer to the Executive Director on the assignment and on all other logistics until the deliverables are submitted as required.

Qualification
The facilitator should have vast knowledge and experience in the nonprofit sector, preferably an executive director or top civil society personnel with experience on:

i. Leading a nonprofit

ii. Governance strategy and structure

iii. Human resource, personnel and management

iv. Project management, monitoring and evaluation

v. Funding and organizational sustainability

vi. Use of technology

Application Process
Interested individuals should complete this form and upload a copy of their Curriculum Vitae by March 12, 2021.

For further clarification, you may contact:
Chidinma Okpara at: chidinma.okpara@nnngo.org

To Apply, click on the link below

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLIw9z0hAg5s_rnPWgaSseUtcKzmo17ZZv-YvRhPu7I1MgeA/viewform

February 15, 2021

Experiences, Learning and Recommendations Report on Peaceful Protests

One of the pillars of a modern participatory democracy is the respect for freedom of expression and assembly — a key indicator of a governments respect for human rights and fundamental principles. To exercise their freedom of expression and assembly, Nigerians (mostly young people) in October 2020 took to the streets to express their grievances against police brutality, claiming their rights on an issue that has raged for years. These protests swept across the country and the globe

Download the document here

December 16, 2020

Guide on Data Protection for Nonprofits

Civil society organisations collects a lot of personal data such as names, addresses, emails, telephone numbers, website addresses, social media handles and posts. These data are mostly collected from beneficiaries, staff, volunteers, donors, vendors, board and individuals who are only interested in receiving information (newsletters) about what your organisation does.

In developing the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), it is clear that the regulators were not thinking about nonprofits, their primary target seem to be companies in the business of collecting data however a further analysis of the broad scope of the rules capture almost any organisation who touches or processes data.

When linked with the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which by extension have implications for the work of nonprofits. The GDPR defines personal data as “any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person”. It applies to any organisation that collects the data of EU residents, irrespective of whether payment is required.

Download the document here

December 16, 2020

ANALYSIS OF THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE TO COMPLYING WITH THE PART F OF CAMA.

Regulatory compliance has a major impact on the legitimacy, transparency, and accountability of the nonprofit sector. While there is now a review of the legal framework guiding the operations of organisations within the civil society sector, we need to understand if the sector, can comply and how they are responding through an assessment of their readiness and resources.

The survey provides insights into the trends occurring within the sector to help policymakers and nonprofit actors consider how they might best respond. As conversations on the review of CAMA unfolds, with changing rules and demands on organisations, it is increasingly clear we need to know what is happening with the sectors ability to comply and areas where its capacity needs to be strengthened.

The survey was completed between 30th May and 23rd September. This generated responses from 258 organisations across 4 regions (North Central, South West, North West and South East) of the country.

Download the document here

December 10, 2020

ADVOCACY FOR WIDOWS EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION

“Widows are an integral part of the society, irrespective of the loss of their husbands” says Funmilayo Raji, Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

The message was delivered by the Lagos State Government to the five hundred widows who attended an event organized by Advocacy for Widows Empowerment Foundation, AdWEF in commemoration of the International widows’ day 2017. They were further urged not to lose hope due to the transition of their spouses but endeavour to summon courage and forge ahead in life in order to cater for their children and other members of their families.

A member organization of Nigeria Network of NGOs, AdWEF is a non-profit organization founded by Mr. Willie Workman Oga in 2012. It was aimed at providing succor and empowerment opportunities for widows across Nigeria. The organization which purportedly began operations at a small office in ACME road, Ikeja Lagos with five members now boasts of an impressive membership base of three thousand widows spanning across eight states in the country.

“As a son of a widow, my love for charity started with caring for the less privileged by visiting and organizing parties for charity homes like Modupe Cole Memorial home and some others” noted Mr. Willie Workman Oga, who is also a veteran Nollywood artiste, music director and producer. “Since inception five years ago, we have embarked on farming projects in Benue, Plateau and Kaduna states respectively as well as helping to establish a widows farmers’ cooperative society”, he further stated.

AdWEF was established in response to the plight of widows and the bid to take action towards helping to meet their needs and discover latent potentials in order to nurture their children without having to resort to the indignities engendered by poverty and lack of support. AdWEF acts as an advocate for widows by providing legal support regarding their basic rights and how to insist on them.

Parts of the work of AdWEF are that it sources for funds through sponsorships, fundraising, and donations for the training of 200 widows annually, collaborates with financial institutions on how to provide adequate funding and loans for widows to begin their own businesses, monitors the progress of the widows under various programmes organized by AdWEF as well as introduce widows to mentors from different walks of life.

One peculiar programme which sets AdWEF apart as an organization is its believe in the importance of proactivity; AdWEF cooperates with other NGOs to educate men on the need to write their wills early in life and to make their wives their next of kin in all insurance, employment and banking documents. This allows easy access to funds and entitlements in instances of their deaths.

Recently, AdWEF founder Willie Workman oga received a recognition award for his outstanding work for selfless service presented by The Women of Essence. The award was an avenue to celebrate, appreciate, inspire and encourage people and organisations that have selflessly impacted on communities.

Other projects involved in by AdWEF include training widows on skills acquisition in areas of soap-making and production of school lunch bags. Inclusive is an ongoing educational campaign project tagged “Sponsor a Widows’ Child Education for A Guaranteed Future”. This project was aimed at sponsoring the education of children of members of AdWEF and has recorded tremendous success since it began courtesy of partners of AdWEF such as TaZor Lee Foundation in Dublin and other spirited individuals.

November 27, 2020

PACFaH Activities – February 2018

FEBRUARY 2018

Activities scheduled to be implemented in workplan	Activity actually implemented	Month implemented
Obtain copies of the 2016, 2017 & 2018 CIP for RI in the state	Copies of the 2017 CIP for RI in the state obtained for review	February 2018
Become acquainted with the CIP for RI in the State and identify gaps and areas of support in line with investment outcomes	Detailed review of CIP for Lagos State RI successfully carried out and a report developed.	February 2018
Baseline Assessment of FP policy and financial commitments as at February 2018	Report of baseline assessment of FP policy and financial commitments developed.	February 2018

Quick win or unscheduled activity implemented

Justification

Participation in the Lagos State Accountability Mechanism on Maternal & New Born Health (LASAM) – led Advocacy Visit to the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board

Leveraging on the existing RI accountability mechanism structure to ensure smooth implementation of the PAS project

Participation at the Public Health Sustainable Advocacy Initiative (PHSAI) Quarterly Review and Planning Meeting

Leveraging on the existing FP advocacy structure to ensure smooth implementation of the PAS project

Description of activity	BMGF Grantee engaged & dates	Outcomes
PACFaH@Scale (PAS) – RI Project Design Review Meeting with dRPC and BMGF team in Abuja	dRPC and BMGF RI Program Officer February 1-2, 2018.	The Primary Outcomes and Short term Outcomes and Output in the Results Framework were amended to more accurately reflect the changes desired during the investment timeframe.
Introductory Meeting with Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) Lagos team	9^th February 2018	Met with CHAI Lagos Team at their office. Possible areas of intervention were discussed and the Lagos State RI Operational Plans for 2017 and 2018 were shared with NNNGO.
NNNGO-PAS Introductory meeting with Pathfinder	10^th February 2018	Met with Dr Habeeb Salami, the RH/FP Associate Director to brief him on the PAS project and possibility of collaboration in Lagos State especially in their objective of increasing FP Funding as well as FP Budget Tracking.

A list of all meetings or engagements with accountability mechanisms and/or NGOs working in state/national accountability mechanism in February 2018 (including key achievements).

Description of activity	Accountability mechanism engaged & dates	Achievements
NNNGO-PAS Introductory meeting with Save the Children	29 January 2018	Met with the Maternal, New Born and Child Health Advisor of Save the Children who works on Immunization as a stakeholder in the sector. The Advisor made available some State Summary Routine Immunization reports which had been sent by the State Immunization Officer to him and promised to collaborate on the project wherever possible.
Participation at the Public Health Sustainable Advocacy Initiative (PHSAI) Quarterly Review and Planning Meeting	13^th February 2018	Participated in the quarterly meeting of the Lagos State Advocacy Working Group (LAWG) on Family Planning (formally registered as the Public Health Sustainable Advocacy Initiative (PHSAI)). A formal presentation of PACFaH@Scale was made by the NNNGO-PAS M&E Officer to the Group and areas of collaboration were identified – advocacy for increased funding for Family Planning in Lagos State.
Participation in the Lagos State Accountability Mechanism on Maternal & New Born Health (LASAM) – led Advocacy Visit to the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board.	14^th February 2018	Involved in the advocacy visit on to discuss critical issues identified from the Y2017 Lagos State Health Budget and Maternal & New Born Child Health Scorecards especially the indicators relating to the release of family Planning Budgetary provisions; implementation of PHCUOR Policy, Optimization of Routine Immunization among others. NNNGO-PAS project was introduced to the PS during the visit.

List out the names of the champions within government who have facilitated your work this month?

Full Name & Post of champion

Post

How has the champion facilitated your work?

None

A description of how project activities were monitored.

Activity Conducted	Monitoring tool administered	Findings
Obtain copies of the 2016, 2017 & 2018 CIP for RI in the state	Availability of copies	Completed
Become acquainted with the CIP for RI in the State and identify gaps and areas of support in line with investment outcomes	Feedback report developed and signed off by the project team	Report detailed the status of CIP for RI in Lagos State, overview of relevant thematic areas, 2017 EPI workplan and actual budgetary allocations including identification of gaps. Activity completed
Baseline Assessment of FP policy and financial commitments as at February 2018	Baseline report developed and signed off by the project team	Report provided an assessment of FP policy in Lagos State especially the Lagos-specific targets sets within the national family planning blueprint. Activity completed.
NNNGO-PAS Introductory meeting with Save the Children	Attendance Sheet	Activity Completed
NNNGO-PAS Introductory meeting with Pathfinder	Attendance Sheet	Activity Completed
Participation at the Public Health Sustainable Advocacy Initiative (PHSAI) Quarterly Review and Planning Meeting	Attendance Sheets, Pictures, Agenda	Activity Completed
Participation in the Lagos State Accountability Mechanism on Maternal & New Born Health (LASAM) – led Advocacy Visit to the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board	Attendance Sheets, Pictures, Agenda	Activity completed