By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Suleiman- Ibrahim has said that the transition to cleaner energy in Nigeria would impact and improve the quality of life of women.
Imaan made this known on Monday at the flag- off of the Benue State National Gas Expansion Programme Stakeholders Forum.
The minister noted that the cleaner and more sustainable energy is not an option for Nigeria, adding that it is a necessity for the nation’s survival and progress.
She said, “For women, particularly, it is an opportunity to break barriers, access economic opportunities, and improve their quality of life.”
“I see the potential of this initiative to empower women entrepreneurs, particularly in rural areas, by providing them with access to affordable and sustainable energy solutions”, Imaan added.
The minister commended the Benue State Gov. Dr. Hyacinth Alia, for putting together the groundbreaking initiative on Cleaner energy Forum.
Imaan said, ” The launch of this forum, coupled with the distribution of CNG kits and cylinders to beneficiaries and the vendor exhibitions showcasing innovation in the sector, sets the stage for a cleaner, more secure, and economically empowered future for the people of Benue State and Nigeria at large.”
She commended Nigeria for taking the initiative to be part of the transitional global bandwagon for cleaner energy sources, which is no longer an option but a necessity.
“Cleaner energy means more opportunities for small businesses to thrive, safer environments for our children, and the reduction of harmful pollutants that affect families daily, she emphasized.
“If a woman cooks breakfast, lunch and dinner, it is equivalent to smoking between three and 20 packets of cigarettes a day, exposing her to severe respiratory and cardiovascular health risks”, she explained.
The minister further disclosed, ” In Nigeria, where women and children disproportionately bear the brunt of energy poverty, this shift therefore holds the promise of significantly improving lives. Cleaner energy like CNG is not just about reducing emissions; it is about reducing household energy costs, enhancing health outcomes, and creating new economic opportunities.”
According to the World Health Organization, WHO, an estimated 98,000 Nigerian women die annually from the use of firewood.
