By Ebunoluwa Sessou

Gender advocacy group in the energy industry, Women in Energy Network (WIEN), has tasked the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu to embrace gender equity and inclusion in meeting the 35 percent inclusion policy on key government appointments.

The group which promotes affirmative action and gender equity for female professional 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).

In a statement, WIEN President, Funmi Ogbue disclosed, that the group champions career advancement for qualified female professionals in male dominated petroleum and electric power sectors of the economy.

In a congratulatory letter to the new president, Ogbue noted that a diverse team would foster innovation, creativity, equitable and balanced decision making, and better results. Adding that, the president needs to add fillip to the prevailing global affirmative action on gender inclusivity in government.

“Since the assumption, the president has appointed very few women in his cabinet, adding that, he is yet to fill the yawning boardrooms; a situation that has stalled decision making at most of the agencies.

We are requesting more women in agencies of government, this is because WIEN 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.

“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 the president.

“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.The group has also been providing thought leadership and policy alternatives to the energy industry through participation at major industry eyents.

“It has also facilitated capacity building with over 200 hours of webinars and masterclasses delivered by subject matter experts for the industry.

“With over 15 corporate members and over 400 individual members in three years of existence, WIEN stated that it drives the ambition for the country to implement the 35 percent inclusion policy in key government appointments”, she said.

Ogbue however 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.