By Shakirudeen Bankole, Lagos
After a one-week long activities, spanning master classes, technical sessions, keynote addresses, panel discussions, fashion runway and debates, the 4th edition of the Jewelry and Gemstone Conference and Exhibition, organised by Women In Mining Nigeria, ended glamorously in Lagos on Saturday, November 29, 2025.
A carefully put-together Gala Night, where the invaluable worths of the different rare earth minerals — gold, diamonds, pearls, tourmalines, among others — on display, was the perfect event to showcase the beautiful transformation of the previous stones from their raw forms into the glittering ornaments of adornment and wealth preservation.
By 7pm, the large banquet hall of the Lagos Oriental Hotel in Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria, venue of the event, had been certified ready to host the gorgeously dressed guests.
The hall itself is an iconic architectural creativity. The mild off-white paintings, the dangling chandeliers which scream luxury, the yellowish lighting bulbs and the carefully crafted advocacy on each of the gemstones and jewelries printed on the artificial walls, set the tone for a perfect luxury event.
At about 7pm, the venue was ready to host its guests, and Barrister Adesuwa Dan-Princewill, the Chairperson for the occasion, had okayed the grand finale of the event.
Light, checked. Sitting arrangement, checked. Decoration, checked. Meal and drinks, checked. Security, checked.
At 7:40pm, guests were seated, each radiating breathtaking beauty, displaying classical and bold fashion statements, and embodying the reason for the evening — the creative display of jewelries and gemstones.
Dignitaries at the event included the President of the Association of Women In Mining Africa (AWIMA), Zenzi Awases, a Namibian Geologist; Mrs. Folakemi Akinloye, a former Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Philippines; and Mrs. Eredua Gbadebo, who was the Chair Lady of the event.
Also at the Gala Night were Professor Jonathan Aremu, Professor of International Economic Relations and Consultant to ECOWAS on Common Investment Market; Mr. Labi Kapo, a South Africa-based Nigerian internationally renowned jewel crafter and his wife; Engr. Clever Sithole, Chairman, African Gold and Jewellers Committee (AGJEC), among others.
Earlier in the day, and a few days prior, industry experts had participated in the conference and exhibition proper. The list of attendees include the Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Dr. Dele Alake, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Faruk Yusuf Yabo; the Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ogunwusi Adeyeye Enitan, Ojaja II, who was later conferred the Grand Patron Title of the organisation; Dr. Abdulateef Shittu, Director-General, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, represented by Aisha Yaman, a Senior Solid Mineral Analyst; and Hadjya Fatima Umaru Shinkafi, Executive Secretary, Solid Mineral Development Fund.
Also present were Mr. Dele Ayanleke, President of the Miners Association of Nigeria; Mr. Augustine Menegbo, Country Director, Segilola Resources Operating Limited; and Mr. Tokunbo Aregbesola of the African Equipment Group.
The event host, Engr. (Dr.) Janet Adeyemi, National President of Women In Mining Nigeria, unveiled the night’s gift box with her powerful and thought-provoking opening speech, in which she demanded unhindered freedom of the women folks from the shackles of age-long stereotype and subjugation.
“We — the women folks — are not taking a seat at the table anymore. Nor are we bringing anything to the table. We are hence building a table where we will put a chair and sit,” she started, sparking admiration at the women-dominated event.
Her short powerful opener resonated with many of the guests who have had one or two experiences with the toxics of the patriarchy system.
“When you look at the statistics of the elected officials at the National Assembly of Nigeria, the women representation is far from being encouraging,” Adeyemi lamented, registering her displeasure at the failure of successive governments to implement the proposed 30 per cent Affirmative Action in elective public offices.
“Men should stop crying more than the bereaved. Anytime a woman wants to strive and chase her dreams, the least you (men) can do is to allow her give it a shot. Do not clip her wings. Do not hold her down because of your own fears. Yes, the job is hard, but allow her anyways. If she says she can’t do it, then you can accept. But when a woman wants to stand up for herself, do not discourage her. Do not talk her down. Do not hinder her progress. Let us breathe,” she said.
Adeyemi, a former member of the Federal House of Assembly, blamed stakeholders in the nation’s mining sector for the prevalent unethical mining and consequent environmental and health implications.
“We have engaged in irresponsible mining for too long. And this has continued to lead to pollution of our land, contamination and poisoning of the soil, agricultural produce, water body and has continued to bring painful deaths to innocent people of the host communities.
“Because we don’t have the tools or the financial capacities to obtain mining license, we have resorted to artisanal mining, destroying lands and polluting everything in sight. We must not continue like this,” she said.
According to her, irresponsible mining causes severe health hazards, destroys the environment, kills pregnant women and their unborn children, and even deforms children already born healthy and living.
Just as important as ethical mining, Adeyemi noted that responsible sourcing cannot be overemphasised.
“Responsible sourcing and tracking of the items are very important now. The world is interested in your jewelries and gemstones. Where you get it, how you get it, what were the conditions and how fairly were the workers treated. And miners or jewellers who don’t comply with ethical mining already have blood on their hands. The blood of child labour and deaths of people trapped in illegal pits among others,” she added.
The WIMIN President also admonished existing and new investors to endeavour to do mining the right way so as to avoid the pitfall of debts and frustration.
“As economically prosperous as mining is, it is also one of the fastest ways to run into debt, frustrations and depression. If you do not follow the ideal investment guidelines, there is no way one can excel. This is not marketing business for anybody, but you need to start with consulting professionals to guide your steps,” she concluded.
The Chairlady of the event, Mrs. Gbadebo, said it was amazing to see that Nigerians are taking on the challenge of knowledge gap in the sector, learning and subjecting themselves to mentoring so as to be able to be part of the globally sought-after workforce needed for the mining-related economic revolution.
She shared beautiful stories of her encounters with many competent Nigerian creative jewellers and crafters and the need to support them.
“I have been a proud buyer and rocker of Made in Nigeria. My jewelries, clothing, shoes and bracelets are all made in Nigeria. And I am proud to wear them across the nooks and crannies of the world. As a matter of personal responsibility, I hold it a sense of duty, pride and patriotism to do this, whether the world is looking or not. I hereby introduce you esteemed women of great personalities to join me,” Mrs. Gbadebo admonished.
In an exclusive interview with The Miner’s Magazine, Zenzi Awases, President of AWIMA, said “Jewelries and gemstones are more spiritual than physical, hence the need to go into the trade and regulation with humanity and fear of God.
“The challenge of unethical mining resonates across Africa. And the method of divide and rule being adopted to destroy communities and impoverish the people by many foreign license operators also resonates. But it is time to stand firmly and seek justice. It is no more tolerable to allow the environment damaged, the soul contaminated, the water body poisoned and women and children left to wallow in health hazards,” she declared.
The high point of the night was the Fashion and Jewelry Show, where models were dressed up in different gold, diamond and other varieties of gemstones.
There were dinner dresses, native attires and English corporates, all laced with different varieties of the precious stones. The makers include Elara.co, Kayito Nwakedi, among others.
