OpeOluwani Akintayo
Lagos — The Women in Energy Network, WIEN is partnering the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria, REAN to host the International Women in Energy Symposium.
This is in recognition of the need to support strategies that will promote and enable equal participation of women in the energy value chain.
The Virtual Symposium is sub-themed: “Light Up Africa” and scheduled to hold 9:00am – 3:00pm on Saturday the 13th of March 2021.
It aims to bring together women in the energy sector across Africa. The event will yield initiatives, to extend the footprint of women in Energy to new frontiers and increase women’s talent contribution to Light up Africa.
In alignment with the 2021 global International Women’s Day theme – “Choose to Challenge” the Symposium looks to encourage women across Africa to choose to challenge gender bias and inequality, to take a position in driving the energy transition and to celebrate the achievements of women driven successes in the energy sector.
According to the president of WIEN, Ms. Funmi Ogbue, “To Celebrate IWD, in partnership with REAN we aim to bring together the women in energy across Africa to collaborate on a S.M.A.R.T gender inclusion action plan, signing a charter to commit to the action items within a certain timeline.
“This event presents another opportunity for further actualization of the WIEN vision, which is to be the leading Network that promotes the participation and advancement of Women in leadership across the energy value chain in support of National Development.
On her part, REAN’s Executive Secretary, Ms. Lande Abudu, said: “we are delighted to be co-hosting the Women in Energy Symposium. There has never been a more critical time to amplify discussions that will enhance gender inclusion in the energy sector. The Symposium joins a growing list of activities that REAN is involved in to encourage the participation of women in the energy sector. The link between gender equality and reduced energy poverty is something we have long recognized, and we are certain that this event will deliver positive outcomes.”
The symposium is the second of its kind hosted by WIEN; the first which was held last year had high profile speakers, including: Mr Olamide Moses, CoS/STA to Minister of State for Petroleum; Engr. Auwalu Saraki, DG Department of Petroleum Resources; Ms. Omolola Ani, Drilling Manager, Exxon Mobil; Elo Olaniyan, Commercial and NOV Manager, SPDC; Ms. Judith Mbonu, GM Procurement, ExxonMobil; Ms Patricia Opene-Odili, Contract Manager Exxon Mobil and Antony Ellis, GM contracting and procurement, Shell.
Previous Sponsors also include: MRS Oil and Gas Ltd Nigeria Plc, Deep Blue Energy Services Ltd, Jake Riley Ltd, Energy Training Centre, Ms. Charlotte Essiet and Dr. Felicia Agubata.
This year, the symposium promises to host seasoned speakers in similar pedigree, drawn from the renewable energy space, government agencies, academia, as well as oil and energy companies with sustainable business models on energy transition, including Olasimbo Sojinrin – Country Manager Solar Sisters, Chike Nwosu- MD/CEO Waltersmith, Usman Yusuf- COO Gas and Power NNPC, Engr Tony Ogbuigwe – Managing Consultant Pejad Group, and Tari Akhibi- GM HR, WalterSmith.
Activities lined up ahead of the symposium include: Supernova girl Initiative: Supernova girl is a WIEN Initiative to encourage and motivate young girls to study related subjects and aspire to come into the energy industry. This will be carried out through school visits by the organisers.
Another interesting side attraction will be the Light up Africa with women Pledge which leverages on the 2021 Global IWD theme. The organisers will encourage CEOs of key companies and government officials in Nigeria to do a photo pledge supporting the IWD theme and post on their Social Media handles using #LightUpAfrica, #ChooseToChallenge hashtags. Stakeholders will be asked to choose from a couple of key themes presented by the organisers to make Public commitments to drive positive change and monitor progress towards gender equality in the energy industry and a gender equal Africa.
Also, the Winning with Women Award, WIWA which is an employer programme to recognise and reward companies, and individuals who champion workplace policies and programmes that help women succeed and thrive.
The organisers are hereby calling on companies to self-nominate or be nominated for this award. Nominations should be sent to info@wienergynetwork.com and info@rean.org.ng.
