Alliance rights Nigeria is an independent research initiative established in the year 1999 for the main purpose of contributing to policy issues/matters affecting the rights of sexual minorities and PLWHA’s in Nigeria, through research, analysis, training, awareness campaign development and advocacy.

 

The organization was formed to fill a lacuna in the civil society’s landscape and to fulfill a passion so as to contribute to the development needs of the country in the areas of health and social rights.

 

Having found that several structures in Nigeria were well out of tune with international acceptable practices, Alliance Rights sought to assist in bringing about a more rapid change in attitude on issues in the concerning social and sexual Health matters in the country.

 

Thus the initial vision was to bring about change in attitude through advocacy, research and training, however after its formation, ARN was able to properly examine critical issues in our society relating to MSM, LGBTI, IDU and CSW, and expanded its activities to focus not only on these social matters but also to pursue projects aimed to bringing reforms in human rights and HIV/AIDS eradication, awareness, treatment and sensitization as it affects these minorities.

 

ARN has thus grown from a purely research organizations to an advocacy body that is involved in all health activities that concern MSM, LGBTI, IDU’s, Prisoners and CSWs in Nigeria.

 

Due to the bias system for the community ARN works with, it is still in the process of registering under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act Cap 59 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

 

ARN is also a membership organization and it membership includes lawyers, medical doctors, engineers, and Social Scientist in academics, practice and policy making institution.

 

ARN has two (2) support groups for LGBTIs that support PLWHAs, and provides income generating activities, and educational support.

 

ARN also collaborates with other persons and/or organization in other relevant disciplines geared towards providing a ready made data base of divergent opinions distilled in a manner easily accessible to governments, other NGO’s and the entire citizenry at large.

 

Individually and collectively, the members in recent times have conducted research and proposed reforms in the area of peer education and HIV/AIDS relating to sexual minorities in Nigeria.

 

Objectives of ARN

 

1.                   To conduct research into national Laws affecting the sexual minorities in Nigeria.

 

2.                   To organize conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings and open debates on issues concerning MSM, LGBTI, IDUs, and CSW in Nigeria.

 

3.                   To develop the capacity as a monitoring organization to other developing bodies implementing intervention activities as it relates to sexual minorities and PLWHA in Nigeria.

 

4.                   To embark and carry out sensitization workshop and seminars for awareness on human rights linkage to HIV/AIDS as it relates to the sexual minorities, with the aim of reducing discrimination and stigmatization.

 

5.                   To liaise with government and research institutions to find solution to the problems of HIV/AIDS and human rights discriminations and to publish from time to time report of its violation.

 

6.                   To provide networking collaborate with other Non-governmental organizations with similar objectives.

 

Organizational capacity

 

The Alliance Rights Nigeria is a voluntary membership organization and presently its membership strength is over 75 and counting.

 

The Late Oludare Odumuye, a master’s degree Holder in social works and an ASHOKA fellow, initiated the organization.

 

The under listed members make up the Board of Trustees with Mr. Ifeanyi K. Orazulike as the Secretary;

 

1.                  Dr. John Farley (Chairman)

2.                  Mr. Sani Omosun

3.                  Mr. Mandy Okwudili Nwafor

4.                  Mrs Bernie Gager

 

In addition to the above, Alliance Right Nigeria has a pool of experts who work on project-to-project basis. Our structure is such that whilst a vast capacity remains available to us, we strive to maintain cost efficiency.

 

Physical structures

Alliance Rights Nigeria has sufficient working space in Lagos and Abuja to undertake and complete work of any nature.

 

To this end, ARN partners with other NGO’s that are involved in research, and have a functional resource centre that meets with its objectives.

 

ARN is well able to work with both electronic and paper reports and possesses sufficient knowledge of publishing and editing to successfully complete projects.

 

EXECUTIVE MEMBERS

Ifeanyi Kelly Orazulike is the Executive Director of ARN. He holds a Bachelors of Science degree in marketing.

 

SOME OTHER EXECUTIVE MEMBERS INCLUDE:

1.                   Esien Kokoete Esiere B.A. – Director of Research

2.                   Tom Charles Nwoke BA, LLB; BL- Director of programmes

3.                   Dr. Tonye Briggs M.D-Senior Researcher

4.                   G.A Oladapo BA, LLB; BL-Executive Secretary

5.                   Abraham Ijeogbe, B. Eng, ANIM – Field Co-coordinator

 

NON-EXECUTIVE STAFF

1.         Oliver Anene   -           Programs Officer Abuja

2.         Daniel Bala      -           support staff Abuja

3.         Sanni Yudugu  -           support staff Kaduna

4.         Kayode Festus -           Programs Officer Ibadan

5.         Toyin Talabi    -           Support staff Abuja

6.         Chiedu Ifekandu -       Programs Officer Kaduna

 

Institutional Membership

1.                  ILGA

2.                  The International AIDS Society (IAS)

3.                  Amnesty International

4.                  African council of Aids Service Organization (AFRICASO)

5.                  INTERPRIDE

6.                  Men’s Health Network (MHN), Nigeria

7.                  The Sexual Minorities Against AIDS in Nigeria (SMAAN)