A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) aimed at providing support for women who are operating in the country’s mining sector, Women In Mining In Nigeria (WIMIN) has inaugurated the FCT Chapter of the association.
The inauguration of the capital city chapter brings to 27, the number of chapters of the association across the country.
National President and Founder, WIMIN, Engr. Janet Adeyemi who spoke at the ceremony in Abuja, on Thursday, said the expansion drive was delayed by security challenges and paucity of funds, but noted that it is exciting to have an organization that is expanding and overcoming challenges as well as fulfilling its objectives.
The Mining Engineer and Fellow of the Nigeria Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) called on women to be resilient and resourceful, adding that women have a role to play in the development of the country’s enormous solid mineral resources.
Discussing some of the factors that inspired the founding of WIMIN, Engr Adeyemi said there were gaps that needed to be filed in the mining sector. She explained that extremely low budgetary allocation to the mining sector as well as the need for gender balance and support for women in the industry inspired her to found the NGO.
Dr. Comfort Asokoro-Ogaji, Chief Executive Officer, Richflood Minerals emerged Coordinator of the Caretaker Committee (CTC) of the FCT Chapter. Other personalities in the seven-member FCT Team include a former Director of Registry at the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, Dr. Sidikat Lami Salau, Solomon Hassan Micha, Ego Ebutu, Rita Babatunde and Michele Nwafor and Banke Oroak.
In her acceptance speech, Dr. Comfort Asokoro-Ogaji commended Engr. Janet Adeyemi for her vision and efforts to bring the association to its current pedestal. She assured that the FCT Chapter will sustain the tempo and vigorously pursue the realization of set goals. ‘As a team, the FCT Chapter we will work with relevant stakeholders to surpass set goals,’ she said.
Asokoro-Ogaji, who is the Chief Executive at Richflood Minerals, holds a first degree in Chemistry, bagged a Masters in Environmental Resources Management and a PhD in Strategic Management.
