*Extols women’s participation in oil & gas sector
*Assures of NNPC’s continuous inclusion of women in energy value chain
OpeOluwani Akintayo
Lagos — Group Managing Director, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari has urged women in the energy sector to take active part in the ongoing development of gas in the Nigerian oil and gas sector.
Kyari gave the charge in his keynote address at the first edition of the Women In Energy Network, WIEN in partnership with the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria, REAN, WEIN/REIN conference held over the weekend.
Themed: ‘Light Up Africa- Ensuring Increasing Energy Access in Nigeria and The Role of Women’, Kyari said following the federal government declaring 2020 and beyond a decade of gas, contributions of women are needed in the area of funding, infrastructure and expertise.
“…As we all know that the federal government is currently focusing on gas development, we will be willing to partner with women in the area of provision of funds, infrastructure such as pipeline and of course, expertise as to how better we can go about achieving our goal for the development of Nigeria,” he said.
According to Kyari, the contribution of women in the oil and gas sector cannot be neglected, adding that women have worked hard over the years to distinguish themselves in the sector.
“I particularly think women are special breed and need support of everyone to break barriers, shatter the glass ceiling, and get to the pinnacle of their careers. I am happy to be here with you.
“Energy has always afforded humans with industrialisation, and economic development. And as a nation, we are sure that to achieve economic growth, every gender must be included.
“As we sustain this discussion over the years, women participation in the sector has been growing, and the stereotype is fading, and I must commend you all for striving and working harder to achieve greater heights,” he said.
The NNPC GMD impressed that the Corporation in particular, over the years, has counted women as an important gender, and has provided adequate support for the gender to thrive even up to the management level.
He therefore assured of the state oil and gas firm in encouraging women to take up more management roles.
“In NNPC in particular, women have been precious and are linked to our success stories we have women in the management positions, leaders in the deepwater, downstream, finance, research and technology and other units of our businesses.
“I am proud to let you know that these women have distinguished themselves in proffering solutions to our business challenges and delivering values to the corporation and the oil and gas industry. I can assure you that the NNPC will continue to include women and promote their participation in the energy value chain,” he said.
In her welcome address, president, WIEN, Funmi Ogbue said the agenda of the conference is to celebrate women in energy, celebrate women achievers in the space, encourage and showcase young ladies Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, STEM, recognise men and organisations that have contributed to the success of women in energy and to drive the REAN/WIEN agenda which she stated as majorly being how to ensure effectively participate in the energy sector.
“How can we demonstrate that there is a link between gender, energy and poverty? How can we increase women’s participation in the delivery of energy solutions? How do we encourage women into STEM-related fields? How can we work towards developing a Gender Policy to achieve gender equity and equality in the energy sector?”, she said, describing the questions as conversation starters.
Other sessions at the conference include: Gender Mainstreaming –Building Policies foster diversity within Organisations, announcement of Winning with Women Awards: A workplace recognition scheme to highlight and promote companies and individuals that promote women, Funding & Scaling, Video showing Signing of the Charter/ Gender Inclusion Plan & Public Commitment, Refining Trends (How Women can feature in the changing landscape of refining across Africa and the increase of private sector involvement), Launch of Supernova Girl (Video Presentation by young female engineers and scientists who have designed and built something, to showcase their work. Minimum of 2-3 who will be able to showcase their Work. Doseke has one), Energy Transition & The role of women (The Paris Agreement in Africa. The Phasing of the energy transition in Africa, how can we achieve scale in renewables? Should we have the same timetable as the rest of the world? Should there be an Africa specific. Solution? How can we create the enabling environment to achieve the Paris Agreement commitments?), and Light Up Africa: Ensuring increased energy access in Nigeria & The role of women (Techniques, enablers, inhibitors, policies that are critical to ensuring increased power in the region and how can women play?).
