FG, UNFPA collaborate to empower Youth

THE Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development is to collaborate with the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, to initiate and implement programmes that would enable  youth to realize their potentials for national development.

This is as the Ministry said it is committed to actualizing the thematic contents of the National Youth Policy to create champions of  youths. 

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, made this commitment when the Country Director of the UNFPA, Ms. Ulla E. Mueller paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja.  

 The Minister stressed that the youth policy was well-grounded on education, health, inclusiveness, politics, drug abuse etc which are in sync with the five key areas of UNFPA.

"It is only proper that the Ministry collaborates with UNFPA on key areas to make champions of our youths by providing them opportunities and support to actualize their potentialities. The Ministry will work with you to sustain the momentum and expected outcome to re-engage and contribute counterpart funding," he said.

In her remarks, the Country Representative of UNFPA, Ms Ulla Mueller assured that the international agency would cooperate and collaborate with the Ministry to actualize its vision and mandate for youth and gender development. According to her: "To actualize our mandate, we have to work with your Ministry." 

REAN, WIEN set to hold international symposium

•Creates initiative to bridge gender gap

The Renewable Energy Association, REAN, in collaboration with Women in Energy Network, WIEN, is set to hold an International Women in Energy Symposium this year.

According to the President, WIEN, Mrs Funmi Ogbue, the symposium titled Light Up Africa which will hold on the 13th of March, 2021, is aimed at increasing the number of women not only in the energy industry but specifically in the renewable energy space.

The event would be graced by speakers like Olasimbo Sojinrin of Country Manager Solar Sisters,  Chike Nwosu, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Waltersmith, Usman Yusuf- COO Gas and Power Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Tony Ogbuigwe of Managing Consultant Pejad Group, Tari Akhibi- General Manager, Human Resources, WalterSmith among others.

Speaking at a Webinar press organized by REAN and WIEN, Oigbue said: "We have come together to work on increasing the number of women not only in the energy industry at large but specifically in the renewable energy space and our first event that we have agreed to work together will coincide with the international women's day."

On her part, Executive Secretary, REAN, Mrs Lande Abudu, expressed delight in the collaboration saying, "The first thing I want to say is that it is great to collaborate and we should never try to do it alone which is why the conversation started on how do we get gender equality and equity in the energy space.

"We are going to collaborate to ensure that every woman has a story in the energy sector and more importantly to be able to highlight our contributions in the energy space of which they are immersed"

Ogbue also announced the launch of the SuperNova Girl Initiative aimed at bridging the gender gap in the energy sector and encouraging young girls to embrace science, technology and mathematics related subjects.