Events

Mining: Women bridge gender gap, inaugurates Girls for Mining in Plateau State

Published

3 years ago

November 19, 2022

vicky

To remedy the declining number of women in the mining sector, Women in Mining on Friday 18th November, inaugurated the Girls for Mining, G4M clubs for secondary school girls in Plateau State to mentor the young girls to show interest and possibly pursue a career in the sector.

Addressing the students at the event in Jos, the National President of Women in Mining, Engr. Janet Adeyemi through the Secretary, of Women in Mining, Plateau State, Mrs. Raulatu Piwuna said, “… we are creating landmark history. When our generation is no more, the G4M will remain, and thousands of you school girls who have become accomplished and high-profile women in mining by then, will look back at the fond memory of today and proudly say, I was there…

“70-80 percent of everything we use in our daily lives are products of mining, from the ceramic at your home to the gold and metals on your mobile phones, to the glass on your windscreen and bulbs, to even the stainless steel and alloy on your wristwatches and it goes…

“Nigeria is dependent on crude oil as its major source of wealth, however, the world does not want crude oil anymore. Now they want solar energy, hydropower, and other sources of power that are not oil. We are witnessing the gradual passing away of the oil and gas sector in the globe and when it finally fades out, Nigeria will be left with only two means of wealth creation- Mining and agriculture…”

She decried the gender gap in the sector, adding, “When I look at statistics, of all the mainstream miners in Nigeria today, only 6.8% are women, the remaining 94% are men. So, the women in the mining sector today are a drop out of the ocean, and the few women in the sector are being edged out of the game by gender-blind laws and by misogynists. So, the number of women in the sector will keep dropping. If we do nothing to pump female miners into the sector now, the women on the ground today will all be gone someday.

“The only way to meaningfully populate the mining sector with productive women is to begin to guide our girls from their school age, into a prosperous future in the mining sector… We unanimously accepted this sustainable initiative and resolved that G4M will be created in all states of Nigeria and Plateau is the very first state we are inaugurating this club.”

She explained, “All students in the G4M club will regularly participate in inter-school quizzes, and debates. Winners will be awarded in each competition. All students of the G4M will go for annual excursions to mining sites, tourist sites, natural resources regulatory agencies or other places of interest in line with the overall intent of the G4M.

“Each student of the G4M club will stand a chance to travel abroad for an exchange visit, to tour mine sites, meet fellow students abroad and meet with high-profile female miners for mentorship and opportunities. All students of the G4M club will have mentors who shall guide them through their secondary education. Any student of the G4M club who has decided to pursue a career in any mining-related courses will be assisted to secure admission to study that course at any tertiary institution of her choice in Nigeria.

“All students of the G4M club will have the opportunity to work with Women In Mining in Nigeria for a year Internship and Training…”

The State Commissioner of Secondary Education, Elizabeth Wapmuk represented by Assistant Director, of Science and Technology, Chung Sati lauded the initiative citing the vital role the mining sector plays in the development of the nation’s economy and assured the Ministry would work towards incorporating mining consciousness into the school curriculum and encouraged young girls to consider making a career in mining for the development of not just the State but the country.

Air Force Girls Military School, Jos; Federal Government College, Jos; COCIN Headquarters Church Secondary School, Jos; Government College, Jos; GSS, Chwel Nyap; Baptist High School, Jos; TCNN Staff School, Jos; Kings’ Secondary School; Jos; St. John’s College, Jos were among the participating schools.

Events

Plateau community women stage naked protest over removal of traditional ruler by Gov Mutfwang

Published

10 hours ago

April 17, 2026

Preport

Women from the Mushere community of Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State, on Thursday, April 16, 2026, took an unprecedented step by staging a nude protest over the removal of the traditional ruler of Mushere Chiefdom, the Mishkakam Mushere, Julius K. Diblang, by the state government.

The removal of the monarch, announced by the Ministry for Chieftaincy Affairs, was linked to ongoing insecurity in the chiefdom and allegations of his involvement in some conflicts, as well as his failure to address violent attacks, leading to accusations that he was a sellout among residents.

However, many indigenes of the chiefdom have risen in defence of the dethroned traditional ruler, claiming that his removal was a witch-hunt, as he had worked hard to restore peace and return displaced people to their homes.

Supporters of the monarch also claim that the government’s action was a misplaced priority during an active security crisis.

Since his removal in early April, different groups have staged pockets of protests demanding his immediate reinstatement, but the mother of all the protests was the naked demonstration by community women who stormed the council secretariat carrying placards with different inscriptions such as “Bring Back Julius Our Chief,” calling on the government to immediately reinstate their monarch, insisting that his removal has destabilised the community.

In video footage of the protest that circulated widely on social media, a group of elderly women was seen completely naked and marching through the community, chanting solidarity songs and expressing their grievances.

One of the leaders of the protesters, who spoke to journalists on why they had to go naked during the protest, said they stripped naked to tell Governor Mutfwang that he had erred in removing the monarch, insisting that he had done a lot to restore peace in the chiefdom.

“We had to remove our clothes to protest and demand that our paramount ruler, Mishkakam Mushere, Julius K. Diblang, who was unjustly removed from office, be reinstated immediately.

“This is a message from us to Governor Caleb Mutfwang that he should return Mishkakam Julius Diblang immediately or a big calamity will befall him. The world has seen our nakedness, and those who understand these things will know that you don’t take a woman’s nakedness for granted.

“Governor Mutfwang should better listen to us and bring back Mishkakam Mushere before it’s too late,” she said.

Events

Apostle Selman Donates ₦200m Cash, Food Items to Victims of Plateau Attack

Published

2 days ago

April 15, 2026

Preport

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has called for collective responsibility in maintaining peace and unity in the state following recent violent attacks in parts of the region.

The governor made the appeal on Wednesday while receiving the founder and senior pastor of Eternity Network International (Koinonia Global), Joshua Selman, at the Government House in Jos during a condolence visit.

During the visit, Selman donated relief materials and cash valued at over ₦200 million to support victims of the recent attacks in Plateau State.

Mutfwang described the visit as a strong show of solidarity with the government and people of the state during a period of grief, expressing appreciation for the cleric’s gesture and humanitarian support.

He also commended members of the delegation, including former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, John Kennedy, and Mr Bestman Wadia, for their support and connection to the state.

The governor lamented the attacks but noted that government had extended assistance to both Christian and Muslim families affected by the violence, stressing the need for unity beyond religious lines.

He reiterated that ongoing efforts were being made to prevent a recurrence of such incidents and urged residents to remain hopeful despite the challenges.

Mutfwang further called on Plateau indigenes at home and in the diaspora to contribute to the development and stability of the state, describing Plateau as a “collective responsibility” that must be protected by all.

Earlier, Selman said the visit was to sympathise with victims and stand in solidarity with the people of the state.

He described Plateau as a land of great potential and resilience but lamented the recurring violence affecting communities.

As part of his intervention, Selman announced the donation of relief materials, including a truckload of about 3,000 bags of rice and other essentials valued at over ₦100 million, to be distributed in collaboration with the state government and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

He also disclosed additional financial support of about ₦100 million for affected families, noting that the gesture was aimed at bringing comfort and hope to victims.

Selman stressed the importance of collective action in addressing insecurity, saying every stakeholder has a role to play in restoring peace and stability in the state.