WIEN charges President Tinubu to implement 35% inclusion policy for Women in petroleum, power sectors
Funmi Ogbue, Women in Energy Network (WIEN) President
Rita Blessing
Women in Energy Network (WIEN) has charged President Bola Tinubu to embrace gender equity with a 35 percent inclusion policy on key government appointments for qualified female professionals in male-dominated petroleum and electric power sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Mrs Funmi Ogbue, President, WIEN made this appeal in a congratulatory letter addressed to President Tinubu, obtained by EnergyDay.
The WIEN President noted that a diverse team would help President Tinubu’s administration to foster innovation, creativity, and equitable and balanced decision-making for better results.
The group which promotes affirmative action and gender equity for female professionals and workers in male-dominated corporate and government positions appealed to the new government not to leave out its members in the appointment of board members and heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Ogbue commended President Tinubu’s administration on commitment towards diversity and inclusion; and therefore, offered to work closely with the new government in areas of proven capacity, expertise, and experience.
WIEN further informed the President that the group stands out as the leading network that promotes the participation and advancement of women in leadership across the full energy chain in support of national development.
The group therefore informed President Tinubu that the group is tall on transparency, reliability, empowerment, collaboration, and innovation, pledging to provide support for its members who might be appointed into government.
Ogbue said, “We are a dynamic and dedicated organization committed to promoting participation of women in the energy sector and empowering them to excel in leadership roles.
“Our network comprises a diverse group of highly skilled and accomplished women who have made substantial contributions to the energy sector and have achieved some remarkable results in the process,” WIEN informed President Tinubu.
With over 15 corporate members and over 400 individual members in three years of existence, WIEN has therefore stated that it drives the ambition for the country to implement the 35 percent inclusion policy in key government appointments.
The group also expressed the belief that achieving gender balance at the decision-making level is not only a matter of social justice but also essential to social justice and equity.
EnergyDay’s check showed that a body of experts from WIEN liaised with the National Assembly to ensure gender consideration in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA); partnered with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to set up a sectoral working group and fund for women; and also built a college and varsity scholarship programme for science inclined rural students.
Other initiatives pioneered by the group include partnerships with numerous industry and multilateral organizations including Power Africa, USAID, DFID, Afrexim Bank, IoD, and many others.
EnergyDay gathered that the group has also been providing thought leadership and policy alternatives to the energy industry through participation in major industry events.
It has also facilitated capacity building with over 200 hours of webinars and masterclasses delivered by subject matter experts for the industry.
