The Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF), a non-profit organisation created as a partnership between the international advocacy organisation, Global Citizen and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) is renewing calls for support and financial donations to the fund.
The NSSF is an innovative platform for resource mobilisation primarily established to supplement efforts to mitigate the adverse economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Nigerians by supporting vulnerable members of the population, strengthening the country’s healthcare system and re-skilling the Nigerian workforce for a post-pandemic world.
A statement by the group said the strategic priority for NSSF for 2021/2022 is to ensure that one million Nigerians are vaccinated against COVID-19.
The statement also noted that the fund has been calling on philanthropists, corporate organisations, Nigerians at home and in diaspora, public sector institutions and international donor agencies to join hands and support the initiative which has been created by Nigerians for the benefit of Nigerians.
The Chairman of the Global Citizen Nigeria, Mr. Babatunde Folawiyo, stated that with the appointment of Dr. Fejiro Chinye-Nwoko, as General Manager of the fund, all the necessary governance structures are now in place, adding that the work of the fund has begun in, “with the immediate priority being to support the earnest national Covid-19 vaccination programme.”
He further explained that the NSSF is now well established and with US$2.4 million raised thus far, there is need to build on the initiative and grow the fund towards its goal of US$50 million.
Folawiyo remarked that the funds would be channeled towards acquiring vaccines and ensure that Nigerians are well informed about the need for the vaccination.
He added: “We are working with carefully selected partners, our goal is to ensure equitable distribution and application of the vaccinations as well as adequate education and awareness about the benefits of getting vaccinated.”
The statement remarked that governed by reputable members, the Board of NSSF has selected and is in the process of engaging top tier professional services firms, PWC and KPMG to handle grants administration and monitoring and evaluation, respectively.
The General Manager of the NSSF, Dr. Fejiro Chinye-Nwoko, noted: “We are ready to serve the people of Nigeria. We strongly believe the pandemic is above all a health crisis and ending this health crisis will result in a durable end of the economic crisis. We look forward to the support of the Nigerian people, as together we can help each other for the good of the whole country.
