Colloquium demands law on gender equity in energy sector

• Honours 3 WIEN members

Sopuruchi Onwuka

Nigeria based international leadership grooming non-profit, Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL), has called on government to enact laws and follow through its implementation to ensure gender equity balance in the energy sector, and also in other sections of the Nigerian economy.

The call came during the recognition of three prominent members of the Women in Energy Network (WIEN) for award at the 65th Leaders Without Title (LWT) Colloquium in Lagos.

The LWT Series on Thursday recognized the Acting Managing Director and Gas Asset Manager at Neconde Energy Limited, Engr Chichi Emenike; Managing Director of Elint Systems Limited, Engr Charlottte Essiet; and the Chief Executive Officer of 3Streams Synergy Limited, Ms Adedoyin Adelabu; with distinguished awards. The three awardees who are also members of WIEN have distinguished careers in the energy sector of the Nigeria economy.

The Centre noted that whereas women struggle with uneven playing ground in their career paths, no one takes responsibility for gender equity in the industry which, according to it, is long dominated by men. It noted that traditional roles of women as homes builders have saddled them with stereotypes that limit their potentials in the emerging market.

Founder of CVL, Prof Pat Utomi, stated that the 65^th edition of the colloquium celebrates the remarkable achievements of the three energy industry women who have “shattered t he glass ceiling in the oil and gas sector.” He added that “their leadership and accomplishments are a great testament to the power of determination, resilience, tenacity and vision.”

In citing the rich professional profiles of the awarded, Prof Utomi pointed out that “these women have boldly paved the way for other women to follow in their footsteps. The success they have achieved projects a beacon of hope, inspiring countless others to pursue careers in this field.

“The achievements of the LWT honourees are not just a personal triumph but also a milestone for the organizations they have helped to build and the entire industry in general.”

He noted that the ladies have also proven that talent, skill and determination know no gender bouds.

“As we honour your leadership and contributions, we recognize the challenges you have overcome and the barriers you have broken. Your legacy will continue to inspire and empower future generations of women in the Energy sector,” PROF Utomi declared.

In a policy debate which featured at the event, panellists decried the low number of women at the board and senior management level at the energy companies in the country, pointing at statics that show poor diversity and inclusion levels in the Nigerian petroleum industry.

They urged younger women to draw energy from the role models honoured at the event in order to position for over 3.3 million new jobs expected to emerge the prevailing transition from traditional fuels to new energy.

The panel called for work flexibility that allows women in mid level management levels to cope with natural roles of child raising and multiple roles that impact their career progress.

In citing the financial services industry where women head highly thriving banks in the country, the panel resolved that the energy industry must deliberately create a pipeline that allows in more qualified women into the sector.

Given the role of women of home builders and models for their children, the panel recognized the need to include new gender balanced population that is urgently needed to salvage the Nigerian economy. They warned that the younger generation must not be denied the time proven benefits of gender inclusion.

On the question of women as their social own nemesis, the panel described women who deter other women as the other set of victims held down by culture and tradition.

In her remarks of appreciation, one of the awardees, Engr Chichi Emenike, told the audience WIEN has laid out a robust study and capacity building platform to pool large knowledge base for younger generation of women entering the industry.

She added that WIEN is also driving ever expanding partnership with corporate and non-profit groups like CVL to deepen gender equity advocacy in the country, adding that slow progress in achievement amplifies the daunting challenge of dismantling established cultural and traditional stereotypes against women in the country.

President of WIEN, Mrs Eyono Fatai-Williams described the award as solid endorsement of the quality of professional pedigrees that sit in WIEN. She enjoined other female professionals and aspiring young ones to explore membership of the group for the immense benefits it affords. She made it clear that members of the group are clear ambassadors of female competence.