WIEN commits to sustainable energy, asks for equal opportunity

• Eyono Fatai-Williams elected President

Foremost women advocacy group in the Nigerian energy sector, the Women In Energy Network (WIEN), has restated its commitment to sustainable energy in line with global movement to arrest the prevailing climate change manifesting in extreme weather conditions.  

The group which leads gender equity advocacies in the continent also called on government to dismantle all gender barriers to opportunities in the energy industry, including access to operating rights, assets and funding.

Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the group, Mrs Cecilia Umoren, declared at the association’s 2023 Annual General Meeting that the commitment to sustainable energy in Nigeria was part of WIEN’s efforts to contribute to resolving ‘one of the most critical and pressing global challenges of our time.’

In declaring open the AGM which held at the MUSON Centre, Onikan , Lagos, Mrs Umoren noted that WIEN has continued stand ‘at the forefront of ensuring a sustainable future, not just for the industry but for the world at large.’

She charged the new Executive Committee of WIEN led by Mrs Eyono Fatai-Williams to influence policies that balance economic progress with environment consciousness.

In describing women as catalysts of change that drive innovation, sustainability and equality; she said “the power and influence we wield as a collective force of talented women in the energy sector are undeniable.”

Mrs Umoren called on industry women to sustain their lofty positions in professional excellence, cleaner operating practices and drive for cleaner energy options.

“The urgency to transition to sustainable energy sources and practices has never been more evident. Our responsibility as women goes beyond driving innovation and profitability; it extends to nurturing a world that sustains life and progress for generations to come. Our commitment to sustainability aligns with our innate ability to balance economic progress with environment consciousness. It is about implementing renewable energy solutions, advocating cleaner practices and influencing policies that favour sustainability,” Umoren said.

The role of driving innovation and influencing policy changes in the industry, she said, requires that structural and cultural barriers that hold women back in the industry are dismantled to enable them reach positions of influence and power.

Mr Umoren stated that the achievements of the group celebrate the strength, resilience, and dedication of all the women of WIEN whose unwavering commitment and passion, she added, have been instrumental in shaping the industry and fostering diversity and inclusivity.

“On account of the structural and cultural barriers that hold women back, it is now more important that we reach positions of influence and power so that we can make required changes in our organizations or in government policies that impact our businesses,” she reiterated, stressing that the role of women continues to be paramount in an ever-evolving energy landscape.

Mrs Umoren acknowledged the roles and contributions of the founding members of the group; including Mrs. Funmi Ogbue, Ms. Patricia Simon Hart and Dr. Ibilola Amao. She also saluted the efforts of key members and functionaries like the current Executive Secretary, Ms Asanimo Omezi. She noted that rising membership of WIEN   ‘signifies not only the progress we have made but also the milestones that lie ahead.’

“As we gather today, I would like to start by acknowledging the men and women who have been instrumental to starting WIEN and ensuring its growth.  In particular, the founders Mrs. Funmi Ogbue; Ms. Patricia Simon Hart; and Dr. (Mrs) Ibilola Amao, as well as the entire Board of Directors. And not forgetting our Executive Secretary, Ms Asanimo Omezi who is the driving force behind all our initiatives.

 “We celebrate the strength, resilience, and dedication of all the women of WIEN whose unwavering commitment and passion have been instrumental in shaping the industry and fostering diversity and inclusivity,” she pointed out.

Mrs Umoren reiterated the need for the current members of WIEN to create the paths for the next generation to thread, adding that “our ability to inspire the next generation of women in energy is a responsibility we proudly carry” to ensure that future leaders inherit an industry that is more diverse, more inclusive, and more innovative than ever before.

The hybrid virtual and in-person enjoyed the participation of strategic group members including the WIEN Secretary, Mr Ibiene Okeleke and Mr Tony Attah.

At the end of the event, a new Board of Directors was elected to steer the affairs of the group for tenure, as Mrs Funmi Ogbue yielded her position to the new President, Mrs Eyono Fatai-Williams, who would now head the newly-inaugurated executive members.