Governor Sule assures commitment to promoting women

The Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, has reaffirmed the critical role of women in driving development across various sectors in Nigeria, particularly in the energy sector. He assured the state’s commitment to supporting women in attaining leadership positions in the energy and gas sectors, as well as other fields. Sule, represented by the […]

The Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, has reaffirmed the critical role of women in driving development across various sectors in Nigeria, particularly in the energy sector.

He assured the state’s commitment to supporting women in attaining leadership positions in the energy and gas sectors, as well as other fields.

Sule, represented by the Deputy Governor, Emmanuel Akabe, gave this assurance while serving as the special guest of honor at the 2024 International Youth Day celebration, organized by Women in Energy, Oil, and Gas (WEOG) in collaboration with Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

The event, themed “Building Sustainable Futures: Leveraging Gas for National Development – The Role of Youth and Women in Ensuring Sustainable Energy Transition in Nigeria,” was held at the School of Post Graduate Studies (SPGS) Auditorium of Nasarawa State University.

It also marked the first anniversary of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Gas, Rt. Hon (Obongemem) Ekperikpe Ekpo.

Akabe, emphasized the increasing involvement of women in the energy sector, noting that women are no longer relegated to the background but are now at the forefront of driving national development.

“As real men, we must step aside and support women, as they are proving to be capable leaders, especially in the oil and gas sector,” he remarked.

He highlighted the significant strides women have made in the state, citing the female Vice-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, the Chief Judge, and the Head of Service, all of whom are women. He assured that the state has taken bold steps to ensure women occupy key leadership positions in the future.

“Women are no longer taking the back seat in bringing development to the country. We are seeing their capabilities, passion, zeal, and commitment in the energy sector. The future is for women, and we must continue to support and encourage them,” he asserted.

In his remarks, Ekpo, who was represented by the Director of Gas at the Ministry, Mrs. Oluremi Abisoye Komolafe, highlighted the sustainability of gas resources, reflecting on Nigeria’s realization of its vast gas reserves, which were previously overshadowed by oil.

“Gas is now the Bride and pride of the nation,” she stated, underscoring the importance of the Decade of Gas initiative, which began in 2021 and will run until 2030. She expressed optimism about the future, noting that the program’s sustainability has been recognized and supported by successive governments,” he said.

Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, the Vice-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, expressed her delight at hosting the event. She noted that the event’s significance extends beyond the celebration, as it opens up numerous opportunities for the university’s students and staff.

“This collaboration will enhance learning, research, and practical experience for our students, particularly those in engineering, geology, and computer science,” she said.

Dr. Oladunni Owo, the National President of WEOG, emphasized the alignment of the event’s objectives with the vision of the current administration led by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

She stressed the importance of positioning gas not just as a transition fuel but as Nigeria’s destination fuel, given the country’s status as the seventh-largest holder of gas reserves in the world.

Dr. Owo highlighted the strategic importance of engaging the youth in this mission, noting that their involvement is crucial to the nation’s sustainable development.

The choice of Nasarawa State University as the venue for this significant event was deliberate, according to Dr. Owo.

She explained that Nasarawa State has recently become a key player in the energy sector due to its hydrocarbon reserves.

“Nasarawa is now part of the Kolmani corridor with 1.3 billion barrels of hydrocarbon reserves, making it a strategic location for this initiative,” she said.

Dr. George Amara, the keynote speaker and a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, underscored the economic benefits of local gas production. He advocated for reducing gas importation costs by increasing local production.

“We have the resources here; it’s more cost-effective to produce and process gas locally,” he argued. Dr. Amara, representing UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG), also spoke about their ongoing efforts to build the first floating liquefied natural gas facility in Nigeria, a project aimed at reducing gas flaring and lowering domestic gas prices.

The event concluded with a distribution of Hand books containing educative materials on gas, gas cylinder usage and filled Cooking Gas Cylinders sponsored by the Women in Energy, Oil & Gas and her Partners (Tetracore Energy Group and Oil Producers Trade Section) to the students of NSUK as well as a call to action for the youth to seize the opportunities presented by the Youth & Women Promoting Decade of Gas Initiative. The Deputy Governor urged the youth to be proactive and diligent in their pursuit of education and professional development, stating that “the best we can give is education, and education is the way of life.”

Overall, the event was a resounding success, bringing together leaders from the government, industry, and academia to discuss and promote the vital role of gas in Nigeria’s sustainable development. The participation of women and youth was celebrated as a key component of the country’s energy future, with Nasarawa State University positioned as a crucial partner in this journey.