CSR-in-Action Bags “Best Performing NGO In Mining & Geosciences” At The Inaugural Nigerian Institute Of Mining And Geosciences Annual Public Lecture, Investiture And Awards
In what can only be termed fortuitous timing, as CSR-in-Action marked her eleventh year of existence this November, CSR-in-Action Advocacy, our non-profit arm, was two days after our anniversary, awarded the Best Performing NGO in Mining and Geosciences – an award conferred on any NGO that has committed its activities to solicit for, educating and creating awareness for and solutions to challenges within the industry – at the inaugural Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences Annual Public Lecture, Investiture and Awards in Abuja.
It was a double-win for CSR-in-Action as our Chief Executive, Bekeme Masade-Olowola, on the same day and platform received the award of ‘Women Role Model in Mining and Geosciences’ – an award given to the most exceptional, inspirational women with significant contribution to the Mining and Geoscience Industry.
Other awards conferred were the Most Friendly Minister in Mining and Geosciences Award given to His Excellency, Olamilekan Adegbite, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, who was also the chief host of the event, NIMG Excellence Award given to Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade, and Icon of Mining and Geosciences Award, given to Otunba (Engr) Alatise Babatunde, MD Tuntise Investment Ltd – a juror of our prestigious Community and Human Rights (CAHR) Awards.
The inaugural Annual Public Lecture, Investiture and Awards took place on the 10th of November in Abuja, in the presence of representatives of the Plateau State Governor, Rt Hon Simon Bako Lalong, Minister of the FCT, Hon Musa Bello, Prof. Engr. Suleiman Bolaji Hassan, Director General, Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade, Perm. Secretary for Mines and Steel Development, Engr Janet Adeyemi, President, Women in Mining Nigeria, the Emir of Yobe State, The Keynote Speaker, Prof Olugbenga Akindeji Okunola, directors from the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Pioneer Provost of NIMG, Rear Admiral Bamidele Oluwagbamila and Prof Idowu Olofinde Odeyemi, amongst others.
The Institute observed a minute’s silence at the beginning of proceedings to mark the demise of the Chairman of the Mining Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Kabir Kankara. May his soul rest in peace.
The keynote lecture given by Prof Olugbenga Okunola was themed – Peace and Security: A Catalyst to Mineral Exploration and Investment in Nigeria. He highlighted the different types of insecurity that exist in Nigeria, including job, food, political, economic, financial, social, demographic, gender, sexual, health, environmental, relationship, religious and moral insecurity. The presentation also showcased the landmark events achieved by the sector from 1959 to 2016 and encouraged the sector to contribute towards reducing poverty by harnessing all its resources and opening up job opportunities to the skilled youth in the country. According to him “the sector accounts for about 0.33% of national employment, 0.02% of exports and about N400B of Nigeria’s GDP (~0.3%), a significant decline from the early 1980s when the contribution was much larger”, and which is relatively low, given the comparative contribution of minerals and mining to the economies of other African countries.
During the Q&A session, Engr Janet Adeyemi, President, Women in Mining Nigeria, pointed out that the sector should look into investing in capacity building, digitalisation, inclusion and diversity and stakeholders’ recognition.
Another contributor pointed out that Nigeria is home to almost all the solid minerals that exist, including being home to Zinphinkite, a solid mineral that can only be found in five locations in the world, Adamawa State being one.
