Mining: Women Advocacy Receives Boost As Sen. Ekwunife Joins WiM-Africa Board
By ABAH ADAH, Abuja
In a latest move to further strengthen its advocacy for women in the mining sector, Women in Mining Africa (WiM-Africa) has announced the appointment of Senator Uche Lilian Ekwunife (IYOM) to its board of directors (BoD), effective 1st January, 2025.
With over 25 years of impactful leadership and dedication to philanthropy within Nigeria, Sen Uche brings a wealth of experience to her new role, reinforcing WiM-Africa’s mission to empower women in the mining sector and drive positive change across Africa.
A statement issued at the weekend by the media wing of Wim-Africa highlighted the expectations from her new appointment thus: “In her capacity as a board member, Sen Uche will lend her expertise to WiM-Africa’s strategic initiatives, guiding policies and advocating for change that benefits women and vulnerable communities within the mining industry.
“Her involvement is expected to be instrumental in building stronger partnerships locally and globally, driving initiatives that promote ethical mining and advancing socio-economic empowerment in mining host communities.
Commenting on her appointment, Sen Uche said, “I am honoured to join the Board of WiM-Africa and to work alongside a team dedicated to creating positive change. I look forward to contributing to initiatives that empower women in mining and strengthen communities across the continent, advancing sustainable and responsible mining practices.”
On her part, the Executive Director(ED) of WiM-Africa, Dr Comfort Asokoro-Ogaji, , said, “We are thrilled to welcome Sen. Uche to our board. Her track record of leadership, deep-rooted commitment to social change, and extensive experience makes her a valuable addition to our team as we continue our work to build an inclusive, ethical, and sustainable mining sector throughout Africa.”
The statement noted that Sen. Uche Lilian Ekwunife (IYOM) is a respected Nigerian legislator and advocate for sustainable development, recognized for her transformative role as Chair of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology in the 9th Assembly and previously as Chair of the House Committee on Environment.
And that through her exceptional leadership role, she secured first-line funding for the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), driving innovation and economic progress.
Her tenure as chair of the House Committee on Environment deepened her commitment to addressing critical environmental concerns, including ecosystem preservation and sustainable practices in Nigeria’s resource sectors.
Sen. Ekwunife made history as the first woman and the first Southeast senator to chair the Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream, a significant role in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
As chair, Ekwunife has championed transparency, regulatory reforms, and policies to improve efficiency, ensuring that downstream petroleum operations benefit local communities and enhance national energy security.
WiM-Africa on the other hand is a leading organisation dedicated to empowering women artisanal miners across Africa and advocating for gender equality, inclusive practices, and the sustainable development of mining host communities.
The organisation’s focus areas include capacity building for women in mining, removing children from hazardous mines, and promoting initiatives that support gender equality and responsible mining practices.
Through programmes and projects in partnership with stakeholders across the continent, WiM-Africa works to transform the industry and uplift communities affected by mining activities.
“Ekwunife’s expertise in science, technology, and environmental stewardship aligns powerfully with the objectives of Women in Mining Africa (WiM-Africa),” the statement added.