SMDF Leverages Mining, Jewellery Making Training To Kickstart Empowerment Of 1,000 Women
By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
The Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) has commenced a training programme targeted at empowering at least 1,000 Nigerian women in the mining and utilisation of gemstone products across the value chain.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by Idowu Jokpeyibo, the head, Corporate Communications, SMDF.
Speaking during a phase of the programme held in Lagos with 100 of the SMDF beneficiaries in attendance, the Executive Secretary (ES) of the fund, Hajia Fatima Shinkafi, underscored the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to reducing Nigeria’s reliance on crude oil through economic diversification by harnessing the country’s rich solid mineral resources.
She expressed her appreciation for the steadfast support of the Minister, Dr Dele Alake, in advancing the agency’s mandate as well as his dedication to women empowerment in the mining sector, noting his consistent emphasis at various fora on the need to equip women with the essential skills to actively engage in the mining value chain.
Shinkafi noted that the training on gemstone and jewellery processing is a gateway to economic independence, skill acquisition, and social empowerment for the women in Nigerian communities.
She said the exercise was aimed at planting the seeds of creativity, entrepreneurship, and resilience, which will grow to yield lasting benefits for trainees, their families, and the society at large.
According to her, gemstones are among the most valuable natural resources found in the country and that Nigeria is blessed with an abundance of precious stones, many of which remain untapped or under-utilised.
“This training will offer them the opportunity to not only create beautiful jewelry but to also build thriving businesses
“Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) is fully committed to ensuring that training and acquisition of knowledge in the sector is sustainable and this explains why we are launching the training of 1000 young women from different parts of the country with 100 participants at this gemstone and jewellery making training.
“We are not just focused on training, we are committed to the continued growth of the trainees. The target is to train 1000 women; those who have done the basics can move on and be part of an advanced training,” she said.
The SMDF according to the ES, will support them with loans and grants to set up their own businesses so that they can turn what they have learnt into a successful enterprise.
“By training women in this field, we are not only tapping into a lucrative market but also breaking barriers and ensuring that women have equal access to the opportunities this sector presents.”
Sharing the agency’s vision around the initiative, she said the Fund is not only committed to the training but intends to provide support, linkages, and opportunities for growth.
President Women in Mining in Nigeria (WIMIN) and former House of Representatives member, Engr Janet Adeyemi, on her part submitted that through the training programme which is in its 3rd edition, some women have been empowered and supported to carry out mining activities and jewelry-making at the global level.
being sources of inspiration to others.
She said the association has introduced various initiatives including pageants to make the sector more attractive for women.
“We started this three years ago, and everything is growing and growing. We need to retrain, we need to embrace what is happening, what is happening in our world now is mining.
While appreciating the commitment and support of the SMDF, she encouraged them to continue to partner with Nigeria Women in Mining.
Also speaking, Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Philippines and Cambodia, Ambassador Folakemi Akinleye, said the training would go a long way in improving lives of rural women and open more opportunities in the mining sector which comes with huge investment and economic growth.
Mrs Tope Omage, former Director with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), described SMDF, involvement and intervention as a landmark towards improving income of women in Nigeria.
In his conversation with the media, one of the programme facilitators, and a Geologist, Dr Tersoo Aga, said Nigeria is most blessed when it comes to human and natural resources, and particularly for the solid mineral sector.
Aga said Nigeria is blessed with over 500 different types of gemstones in addition to other critical minerals including the industrial ones.
According to him, the good aspect of it is that these are naturally occurring and occur predominantly within what we call the pegmatite belt of Nigeria that stretches from the southwestern part of the country to the northeastern part of the country.
Three participants, Sola Adesanya, from Lagos State, Eden Durosola Precious (Lagos) and Hajia Umar Abubarkar (Zamfara) who spoke about their experiences and expectations expressed optimism that the training would help them to pursue new career opportunities in mining.
They applauded the SMDF and WIMIN for providing them with the opportunities to explore the mineral resources in a sustainable manner under proper supervision and regulations.