By Shakirudeen Bankole, Lagos
The Federal Government of Nigeria has invited local and international investors to take advantage of it’s ongoing reforms in the solid minerals sector.
Dr. Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, who spoke at the opening of the 4th edition of Jewelry and Gemstone Conference in Lagos, said the Federal government is putting in place policies and enabling environment to make things work for all stakeholders.
Alake, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Engr. Yusuf Yabo, declared the event open along with the Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ogunwusi Adeyeye Enitan, Ojaja II, who was later decorated as the Grand Patron of the Women in Mining Nigeria (WIMIN), who are the organisers of the programme.
In his message, Alake said all stakeholders should key into the ongoing reforms, which are backed by the establishment of important bodies and institutions, to drive the growth of the sector.
According to him, part of these include an insistence on a compulsory locally-driven value addition on all mineral resource before they are exported outside of the country.
” We need investors in the area of capacity building for our people and investment in infrastructure to drive these systems,” he said.
While acknowledging the WIMIN for its important role in the sector, Alake said the successes recorded by the organization cannot be under estimated.
According to him, the group’s consistent and resilient efforts, over the years, have supported many homes, empowering women, saving ladies from the fang of poverty, and stereotypical classifications.
“Their efforts and contributions have become important as it helps foster gender equality and inclusivity and promote an economically prosperous nation.
“It is clear that the several empowerment programmes and developmemt initiatives by the Women In Mining cannot be over emphasized. Their empowerment programmes are not only important but would be adopted as a national intervention for the good of the people of the country,” Alake said.
“Given the impressive showing by the organisers, and their resilient disposition over the years, I am assuring the public of our return next year, with an expanded collaboration for a nationally-driven programme that would benefit our people.#
The Ooni of Ife, a business magnate and largest collector of Nigeria’s mineral stones, said the mining sector holds the key to transform the economic and security trajectories of the country.
He urged the government and stakeholders to collaborate by leveraging the sector as a solution to the economic and insecurity crises facing the country.
According to him, ” the people involved in banditry and Boko Haram, among other insurgent groups, for instance, are typically young people between ages 15 and 40 years. They are young, energetic and agile. If they are trained, and exposed to the trade, they can convert this energy into a legitimate venture. No doubt, the Gemstone and Jewelry crafting sector looks perfect to absorb them. The work is physical as well as mental. And rewarding as well,” the monarch said.
