News

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

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

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.

August 12, 2020

OUR IMMEDIATE THINKING TO THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT

https://www.thecable.ng/ngos-religious-organisation-regulation-bill-smuggled-into-cama-2020

Part F of CAMA, In reaction to the article in the link above, OUR IMMEDIATE THINKING:

While we must guide against the abuse of this section of the law (Part F of CAMA), a regulator should have the powers to suspend while investigations on gross misconduct are ongoing. These are regulatory best practices.
See: https://www.acnc.gov.au/raise-concern/concerns-about-charities/what-acnc-can-investigate
https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-charity and https://www.fundraisingregulator.org.uk/complaints/investigations

For example the case of rape in a Church or Nonprofit. The ideal thing would have been for the Board of the organisation to step in, suspend the pastor then investigate. Where this has not happened, the regulator would step in and take necessary steps to address the situation part of which will be to suspend at first, investigate and reinstate where possible.

In our immediate thinking, you cannot be a judge in your own case especially when complaints of gross misconducts are brought against you. That section of the law was clear on what grounds the suspension can happen. The section quoted also noted that this cannot be done without the approval of the Minister.

With nonprofits activities coming under public scrutiny and demand for transparency and accountability. We think this section of the law is an important milestone for addressing misconduct in our sector and addressing concerns by external stakeholders including the National Assembly.

We must all work with the Corporate Affairs Commission to ensure that regulations emanating from the law captures a) how investigations will be carried out, b) issues that can be investigated by the Commission and examples/typology of cases that fall under gross-misconduct, c) proportionality and appropriateness of sanctions and penalty, d) appeal processes including how as a sector we prevent abuse of such clauses through regulatory performance frameworks and oversight.

June 17, 2020

NNNGO Launches Covid-19 State Action Tracker

Nigeria Network of NGOs announces today the launching of covid19.nnngo.org, a portal, dubbed “Covid19 State Action Tracker” that has been devoted to capturing data on state governments’ actions in containing spread of the COVID-19 disease across the 36 states of Nigeria. The portal was developed to increase citizens’ understanding and awareness of measures undertaken by governments in various states in relation to the pandemic, allowing for better tracking of governments’ activities and citizens’ reception to these measures in this period.

About the Tracker

The Covid19 State Action Tracker features a dashboard which contains; “Elements”, “Tables” along with “Charts” menus. Each of these menus open up into pages; that allow for visitors to find answers to COVID-19 related questions, provide detailed information on state datasets, including a map integration which gives a quick snapshot of real time statistics and live feeds from each state. These features, unique to the portal allow for easy accessibility to real time data specific to covid19 measures as circulated by each state government and are updated daily to capture new developments across different states as soon as they are announced.

With the help of this new portal, we are hoping to offer a particular resource, where citizens and citizen organisations can use information in the tracker to plan their travel, events and comply with measures on assembly and gatherings in ways that stop the spread of the virus.

said Oyebisi Oluseyi, Executive Director of the Nigeria Network of NGOs.

“It helps us as citizens to do a better job of being involved in the affairs of our country especially as the COVID-19 disease affects everyone and we must all come together to ensure it is contained. What we have done with the portal is to make information accessible to all individuals so that together we can track the measures our governments are undertaking to keep us safe, including using this information to plan our lives”, he added.

The NNNGO State Action Covid19 Tracker was developed by the IT team of the Network led by Matthew Afolabi who commented, “What makes this project particularly important for us is that it allows us to use technology for practical purposes and do good at the same time”. Adeola Odunsi, who led research for the project also noted, “The tracker serves as a credible hub of information on measures taken by government in this period and being able to use the data gotten from it for everyday purposes is admirable”

The portal features a public update button that allows visitors to provide updates and recommendations which can be uploaded to the site after a thorough review. Activities are underway to develop an advanced portal to cater for data capturing at the National level to track federal government’s measures in relation to the spread of the disease.

This publication is produced by the Nigeria Network of NGOs.

June 2, 2020

CALL FOR APPLICATION

If you have the experience and would like to join a busy team to support nonprofit sector organisations across the country, we have exciting opportunities for you. Full details of the position can be found in the scope of works on this page; simply click on the positions that interest you and get more information. The link to the application form is at the end of this page.

Scope of Work: Design e-learning portal

Scope of Work: Design who-is-who website:

Job Description: Monitoring and Evaluation Lead:

Closing date: Monday 15 June 2020 at 5pm

Women and persons living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Click here to apply:

May 1, 2020

Remarks on International Workers’ Day

01 May 2020

Today has a particularly important meaning for us as individuals working or volunteering in the nonprofit sector. As we reflect on our contributions to the country, our efforts in helping to curb the spread of Covid-19 and maintain support to the vulnerable population whom we traditionally serve, I am grateful to the hardworking men and women who work in the sector, earning next to nothing, under very tight working conditions, deadlines and lean resources to give hope to millions of people in communities across the country.

As one who has worked all his life in the sector, starting as a volunteer and gradually moving up the ladder into full staff, I understand first-hand the goodwill that comes with working with nonprofit organisations as well as the downsides. That is why as part of my work in the coming months, I will be convening a nonprofit staff forum to discuss issues you face and create together some fun-filled activities to celebrate our work and the value we bring to the development landscape in Nigeria and across the world.

Certainly, it will take a while for our world to return to normal. More than ever before, we will now need a more dedicated and resilient workforce that will help deliver post-Covid responses across the country alongside our normal programming before the pandemic.

I hope I can count on you to stay safe and committed to bringing development to the doorsteps of the common man.

Thank you for all you do!

Oyebisi, B. Oluseyi
Executive Director, Nigeria Network of NGOs.

April 1, 2020

Covid 19 Nonprofit Advisory

The COVID-19 pandemic will have implications for nonprofits as well their staff members, volunteers, interns and beneficiaries. We have therefore, put together this practical guidance to help nonprofits cope and think through their operations during the pandemic. This document responds to some of the common challenges we see nonprofits facing.

How will COVID-19 affect our work?

The pandemic will affect organisations differently and we must all prepare for it. To do this, organisations must develop a robust understanding of what will happen to their activities or projects during and after the pandemic. The following checklist provides guidance on steps an organisation can take to reflect on the effect of COVID-19 to its operations.

Download here Covid 19 Nonprofit Advisory