Nigeria Network of NGOs Calls Upon Governments in Developed Countries to Ensure Equitable Access to Vaccines.

Press Release/March 11, 2022/Friday Lagos-NIGERIA/NNNGO

Two years after the COVID-19 pandemic, Africa and other developing countries continue to see disparities in access to vaccines which has prolonged the pandemic for Africa and deepened existing inequalities across the continent. The Nigeria Network of NGOs in collaboration with the Global Call to Action Against Poverty and in partnership with the People’s Vaccine Alliance is calling upon governments to invest in public healthcare services and ensure women and other vulnerable groups have equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

 

According to a report released by Oxfam on March 3, 2022, “While effective vaccines provide hope, their rollout has tipped, from a natural desire to protect citizens, into nationalism, greed, and self-interest. Large numbers of people in low-income countries face the virus unprotected and millions of people would still be alive today if they had had access to a vaccine. Big pharmaceutical corporations have been given free rein to prioritize profits ahead of vaccine
equality.”

 

Speaking at a press conference organised by the Network in Lagos on March 11, 2022, the Executive Director, Nigeria Network of NGOs, Oyebisi Oluseyi said “Although officially, the records show that the causalities of the pandemic were more in developed nations, the reality is that countries in the African continent recorded major loss of lives due to the pandemic but lack of concrete data is likely why we may never have the figures to show a truer reflection of the impact of the pandemic on our continent” He added that reports indicate that 54% of all deaths caused by COVID-19 have been in low and lower middle-income countries, where 10.6 million people have died while 2.7 million people are estimated to have died in high income countries.

 

The Network therefore saw the press conference as an opportunity to engage media organisations in the conversation as we call on the Nigerian government, civil society and private sector organisations and relevant authorities to support our call for the British, German, United States and French governments to stop actively blocking the waiver of intellectual property rules on all COVID-related technologies, use all powers and influence at their disposal to compel pharmaceutical companies to transfer the technology needed to manufacture COVID-19 vaccines to Global South manufacturers through all available mechanisms. This will revolutionise global vaccine manufacturing, unlocking the productive capacity needed to end this pandemic. It could also build the scientific and industry networks needed to protect Africa and the rest of the world from future disease outbreaks.

 

About the Call for Support of TRIPS Waiver of COVID-19 Vaccine Production.
On the second anniversary of the pandemic which also marks the beginning of the third year since the World Health Organization formally declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, we acknowledge that billions of people worldwide still don’t have access to COVID vaccines and treatments. Meanwhile, pharmaceutical companies are recording profits of over $1 million per hour and world leaders refuse to stand up to them.

 

African countries because of their inability to secure TRIPS waiver of COVID-19 vaccine production have continued to rely on donations of vaccine doses from developed countries, which although is appreciated, but our view is that building domestic manufacturing capacity is a far better and sustainable option to ending the pandemic. There are manufacturers in countries across the Global South with the skills and facilities needed to produce COVID-19
vaccines and treatments at scale, including the WHO’s mRNA hub in South Africa. Engaging these manufacturers would revolutionise global vaccine manufacturing, unlocking the productive capacity needed to end this pandemic. It could also build the scientific and industry networks needed to protect Africa and the rest of the world from future disease outbreaks.

 

However, Intellectual property rules like patents and trade secrets stand in the way.
Join us to demand world leaders stand with people, not Big Pharma, and finally end this pandemic. We must #EndCOVIDMonopolies.
https://peoplesvaccine.org/take-action/end-covid-monopolies/

 

About GCAP
GCAP is a network of over 11,000 civil society organisations (CSOs) organized in 58 National Coalitions and in constituency groups of women, youth and socially excluded people, among others. Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) supports people in their struggles for justice and brings individuals and organisations together to challenge the institutions and processes that perpetuate poverty and inequalities. Together, we defend and promote human rights, gender justice, social justice, climate justice and the security needed for the dignity and peace of all. https://gcap.global/es/peoples-assembly/

 

About Nigeria Network of NGOs (www.nnngo.org)
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. Established in 1992, NNNGO represents over 3,400 organisations ranging from small groups working at the local level, to larger networks working at the national level. The Network is charged with the objective of identifying, registering, coordinating, building capacity, and mobilizing civil society organisations to promote interconnectivity and
bring equity, justice, peace, and development to grassroots communities throughout Nigeria, including the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

About The People’s Vaccine
The People’s Vaccine Alliance is a coalition of over 80 organisations and networks, supported by Nobel Laureates, health experts, economists, heads of states, faith leaders and activists, working together for a People’s Vaccine, available free of charge to everyone, everywhere.  The Alliance grew organically out of the open letter calling for a People’s Vaccine, organised in May 2020. We work together to end vaccine apartheid. https://peoplesvaccine.org/takeaction/end-covid-monopolies/

 

For more information
Oyindamola Aramide,
Communication Officer, Nigeria Network of NGOs
oyindamola.aramide@nnngo.org
09069460107

PRESS RELEASE – Nigeria Network of NGOs Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Conference of Northern States Civil Society Networks.

 

NNNGO-Abuja/NIGERIA: March 2, 2022

 

The Nigeria Network of NGOs, represented by its Executive Director, Mr. Oyebisi Oluseyi and the Conference of Northern States Civil Society Networks represented by its Chairman, Comrade Ibrahim A. Waiya, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Wednesday, March 2, 2021, to formalize a partnership between the two Networks at a strategic and operational level.

 

The signing of the MOU formalises the mutual interaction between the Conference of Northern States Civil Society Networks, a regional civil society Network and NNNGO, a national Network focusing on facilitating effective advocacy on issues of civic space, local philanthropy, regulatory frameworks, national development, unity, peace, and security especially at a time when civil society regulations in Nigeria continue to remain knotty.

 

Ibrahim A. Waiya, Chairman Conference of Northern Civil Society Networks, in his speech, during the signing said, “We are happy that we are coming together in partnership and sought doe this opportunity with NNNGO because we understand that as nonprofit Networks, it is imperative to work together especially with the critical stakeholders in the sector as this will help the Nigerian civil society gain credibility, legitimacy and transparency as a sector”. He added that the partnership is an opportunity to learn from the models and practices of NNNGO, a Network which had been existing for almost 3 decades.

 

Also speaking at the signing, Oyebisi Oluseyi, the Executive Director, Nigeria Network of NGOs said, “For us as NNNGO and as a national Network, this partnership fits so well into our mandate that rather than compete, we will collaborate, coalesce and strengthen other Networks while also finding ways to ensure that we support subnational networks through capacity building and experience sharing. Oyebisi added that “We have a collective goal which is to ensure a thriving operational environment for nonprofits in Nigeria and what we have done today is a step in the right direction.

 

The MOU strengthens the existing relationship between the two Networks and will leverage each Network’s comparative advantage to promote common understanding of the legal obligations of nonprofits, ensure full compliance and adopt best practices in governance and accountability, ensure appropriate consultation on matters of relevant and significant policies and programmes of government that affect civil society, Nigerian citizens and national development.

 

About NNNGO (www.nnngo.org)
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. Established in 1992, NNNGO represents over 3,400 organisations (as of November 2021) ranging from small groups working at the local level, to larger networks working at the national level. The Network is charged with the objective of identifying, registering, coordinating, building capacity, and mobilizing civil society organisations to promote interconnectivity and bring equity, justice, peace, and development to grassroots communities throughout Nigeria, including the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

About Conference of Northern States Civil Society Networks
The Conference of Northern States Civil Society Networks is a forum of states based civil society networks operating in the Nineteen Northern states of Nigeria. The establishment of the platform was conceived in 2017 and inaugurated on 28th March 2021 as a regional network of non-governmental, non-partisan, not for profit, non-ethnic and non-religious platform, with the sole objective of advocating for the best practices of democracy, accountable governance, and increased development of Northern Nigeria and beyond through policy influencing, cooperation and teamwork. The platform has over three thousand (3,000), affiliated individual civil society member organizations across the nineteen Northern States.

 

For more information
Oyindamola Aramide
oyindamola.aramide@nnngo.org

09069460107

NIGERIA NETWORK OF NGOS LAUNCHES EU-ACT FUNDED PROGRAM

Lagos- NIGERIA-November 8, 2021/NNNGO

 

We are proud to announce the launch of the European Union- Agent for Citizen Transformation Funded program; Strengthening State Civil Society Networks/Coalitions to Harmonise Regulatory Frameworks at the Sub-National Level. The program which will be implemented by the Nigeria Network of NGOs in partnership with subnational civil society Networks across 10 states will begin the process of creating appropriate, inclusive, and harmonized CSO regulations at the federal and state levels while also strengthening the capacities of state networks to be able to work effectively.

“We are pleased that the EU-ACT programme has reached out to support a project like this that addresses gaps in the Nigerian civil society regulatory framework as it allows us the opportunity to push for regulations that help us do our work better” noted Oyebisi Oluseyi, Executive Director of Nigeria Network of NGOs.

 

“Issues around multiple registrations and overlapping regulations across national and state levels have been a source of concern for NGOs for a long time and it continues to impede the good work that we do so we must now look at how best to work with government to come up with unifying laws to guide the operations of NGOs across the country.” Oyebisi added.

 

A representative from EU-ACT, Mr Idem Udoekong, remarked, “It is pertinent to talk about the sub-national regulations in a country like Nigeria with a federal system of government and compare it with other countries in the world that run a federal system of government. There is a need to create awareness about the sub-national regulations, so people are informed of the laws guiding their activities at the local level.”

 

It is expected that by the end of the project cycle, a harmonised regulation would have been adopted or the process set in motion while state CSO networks/ coalitions would have cultivated strong working relations with the government and MDAs.

 

About EU-ACT

Funded by the  the Agents for Citizen-driven Transformation (ACT) Programme works with civil society organisations (CSOs) to enable them to be credible and effective drivers of change for sustainable development in Nigeria.

 

ACT focuses on; strengthening the system of CSOs, networks and coalitions to improve their internal, external, and programmatic capabilities, providing a platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue for an improved, effective and inclusive regulatory environment for the operation of CSOs in Nigeria. The programme currently operates offices in Kano, Lagos, Sokoto, Rivers, Federal Capital Territory, Port Harcourt, and Adamawa. The programme will be delivered over four years (2019-2023).

 

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.  Since 1992, NNNGO has worked to give nonprofits 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

The Nigeria Network of NGOs granted ECOSOC Special Consultative Status

 

This means that the Network can engage in a number of ways with ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies, the Human Rights Council and, under specific conditions, some meetings of the General Assembly and other intergovernmental bodies, as well as with the United Nations Secretariat.

 

Lagos, Nigeria, October 12, 2021/ NNNGO/– The Nigeria Network of NGOs (www.nnngo.org) today announces that it has received news of the confirmation of its Special Consultative Status with the Economic Social Council of the United Nations.  This will provide the Network with the privilege to access United Nations meetings, provide written and oral statements to ECOSOC, use UN facilities including submitting a report on the activities of the Network, in support of the work of ECOSOC and the UN once every four years.

 

It’s been over 29 years since NNNGO, the first generic membership-based organisation in Nigeria opened its doors to provide support to nonprofits across the country. During this time, the Network has served as the voice of Nigerian nonprofits within and outside the UN providing inputs into the development of different global development agenda’s notably the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

Oyebisi, B. Oluseyi, Executive Director at NNNGO comments: “We are delighted to receive an official communication confirming our ECOSOC status. This recognition by the Economic and Social Council of the UN will help us to continue serving Nigerian nonprofits, providing them with new level of engagements nationally and globally on social justice issues especially as it relates to the attainment of the SDGs. Applying for ECOSOC status at the United Nations tests your organisations corporate governance and ability to meet Article 12 of Resolution 1996/31 of the UN on Consultative relationship between the United Nations and nongovernmental organizations, one is particularly happy that we met all the metrics”.

 

With more than 3, 300 member organisations, the Nigeria Network of NGOs is the first generic membership body for every nonprofit committed to creating a just and equitable world. Our work creates the needed partnerships and collaborations to improve impact and effectiveness of the third sector. Since 1992, NNNGO has worked to advance the common interests of the sector, providing programs that advance national development, civil society legitimacy, transparency, and accountability.

 

—End—

 

For more information:

 

Oyindamola Aramide

Communications Lead, Nigeria Network of NGOs

E: oyindamola.aramide@nnngo.org

T: 09069460107

W: www.nnngo.org

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/