Mrs Aisha Buhari, Nigeria’s First Lady, has called for more women participation in mining to boost the growth of the sector.

Aisha, represented by Mrs Mairo Al-Makura, the Wife of Governor of Nasarawa, made the call in Abuja on Thursday while declaring open a two-day African Gems and Jewelry Exhibition and Seminar (AGJES).

The theme for this year’s edition of the exhibition is “Mines 2 Market: Collaborating to Improve Industry Linkages, Healing Africa through Gemstones”.

She said that women should tap from available resources and opportunities in the sector as there should be gender equity in the industry.

The First Lady charged major players in the industry to encourage women to grow in the mining business.

Aisha said that the event, which its maiden edition recorded a huge success in 2017, was envisaged to draw global patronage to promote Nigeria gemstones.

She said that there was no doubt that the yearly seminar and exhibition would subsequently boost the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) of the country.

Alhaji Abubakar Bwari, the Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development, said the ministry had commenced reforms in the sector to ensure proper policing of the gemstone sector.

“The central point of our gem policy is to ensure due process in our gemstone mining and marketing activities in line with international best practices,” he said.

The minister said that the ministry would assist artisanal miners to get good prices for their gemstones to boost the sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP..

“Let me again emphasise that while we continue to make efforts to attract investors into the sector, we will ensure that mining is done in strict accordance with our laws.

According to him, the ministry is encouraged to collaborate with the organisers of AGJES to celebrate the 2018 second edition due to amazing success recorded from its maiden edition.

“The ministry is not an operator, but a regulator of the sector, but we realise that we cannot achieve the objectives of this current government without the collaboration of stakeholders.

“As part of our mandate, the ministry is required to improve the sector’s capacity to create jobs and broaden the range of economic opportunities available to Nigerians,” he said.

According to him, this is why the ministry continue to support the initiatives of the organisers using this event as a platform for creating a viable local market and access to foreign markets for locally produced gems and jewelry.

Dr Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour, charged the ministry to ensure it curtails illegal mining activities that had engulfed the sector.

“The ministry must incorporate illegal miners into cooperatives to reduce illegal mining operations; oil is no more in vogue, but solid minerals.”

Amb. Regina Edzuwah, the Co-promoter, African Gems and Jewellery Exhibition and Seminar (AGJES), said Nigeria was endowed with abundant precious stones that could earn the country billions of dollars in world market.

Edzuwah said that Nigeria gemstones, which include, sapphire, ruby, aquamarine, emerald, tourmaline, topaz, garnet, zircon and amethyst, among others, were highly recognised and appreciated abroad.

https://www.miningng.com/first-lady-calls-for-more-women-participation-in-mining/

please which mine does she or her daughters work?

FreshBoss007:
please which mine does she or her daughters work?

They work on taxpayers mine site located in Abuja

Great

You want dem to spend all their life in geology department be that..

FreshBoss007:
please which mine does she or her daughters work?

The one in za oda room.

Madam, please stop chasing shadow, there is national burning issue at hand about Buhari/Jubril and you are talking about women into mining. You and your family are expected to issue statement. Prove to bus Nigerians that the said Jubril/Buhari is your husband so that the matter will be rest. This is my simple opinion. Good morning N/landers and do have wonderful day ahead

That would be a positive development.

www.nairaland.com/attachments/8283457_20181208055417_gif59ab6b8d471b81db9cd98704fedfd8df

Women should tap into available opportunities in the sector and not wait for major stakeholders to encourage them. The Solid Minerals sector is fraught with illegal mining activities with gemstone mining being exclusive to a few. However me think women can do well in gemstones marketing.

As if she can lead by example

They are already into pocket mining...

Very good
You never see feminists fighting for equal opportunity in mining industries, power stations, construction companies etc tell a feminist to climb an electric pole to fix power or carry ladder around she will remind you that she is a woman but when it comes to salary other benefits they bring equality bûshit. Those sort of women are thieves and cutthroats and should be treated as one

So if women take over all the jobs, what jobs will men now be doing?

Later they will be complaining husband is scare.

Why won't husband be scarce when women have taken all the jobs?

I have an impression this woman will perform if she handle big position like Senate President or Minister of Petroleum because of her transparency...as a first lady, she is poo!

For her mind will buhari allow that