Janet Samuel, Abuja
As the 3-Day investigative hearing of the committee on mining continues in the second day, the Women in Mining Association in Nigeria(WIM) appeared before the committee to speak on their activities and also to proffer some useful recommendations .
The president of the association , Eng. Janet Adeyemi, who was represented by her Secretary said the association has been empowering more women in the mining sector, recommending that there should be more collaboration, to bring in more women who are already in the field to be involved in community engagement where woman should be directly involved to encourage gender balancing
She also recommended that a lot of research in the sector should be encouraged to explore and discover new Mineral deposits in other places that will improve the economy.
While soliciting for more fund to encourage women, the President of the association advised that there should be creation of awareness and educating the girl child on the profession
Senator Aliyu Wadada of Nassarawa West who is also from the home of Solid Minerals said “mining is a very serious business and one of the greatest potential Nigeria has, regardless of gender, Nigeria needs the required capacity to go into mining, the capacity that will complete the value chain.
He maintained that the present administration has been emphatic on the diversification of the economy, saying minning is one of the key areas to be given the needed attention and everybody should be ready to play by the rule of engagement.
In an interview with a female International investor, Ambassador Aminat Temitope – Ajayi who appreciated the minister and the effort of the Senators in sanitising the mining sector, said, it is very important to give back to the society
Temitope- Ajayi , said, ” i am the happiest person in the face of the earth, my DNA is Nigeria, I have been in this country for the past 7 month, we are talking of crude oil. What I saw is a mega crude oil that is mineral resources and is all-over the place,
“Nigeria is so blessed. But to be honest being a mother, I wasn’t too happy. But as an investor I was so blessed, being a member of FORB business Council, I live in America I am a member of silicon Valley, now Lithium. Gold, Coper is the main thing , with gold, lithium we get carbon credit, Nigeria has it all, I have to give credit to the minister of Solid Minerals because he was there and supported me in America when I had business summits with foreign investors, he urge me to concentrate in local content, so I make sure everything contract I handled,”
She said, ” they have to do a beneficiation plant in Nigeria. “what are we giving back to the community the community has to know that they are rich, and what is happening today is accountability. I am so proud of them, especially the chairman. My foreign investors will be arriving Nigeria in two weeks time, including Saudi and dubai. Nigeria is highly favour. No body talk about oil again. But mining is huge.
Speaking on the illegal mining by the out of school children in the community, the Ambassador also known as the Queen mother said Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) is key, and the most important to do is by giving back to the community,
she noted that, is the responsibility of the private sector to take care of the communities and not the government, “I take care of my kids and care for them all the local boys are being taken care of by me. All they need is love and attention and I have made up my mind to encourage them and bring them closer because they felt neglected and rejected. What do I have to be remembered for?”
