A group, Women in Mining in Nigeria, is firming up plans on its upcoming conference where solutions to mining sectoral challenges would be offered.
To this end, the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has accepted to be the Father of the Day for the Gold and Gemstone Conference and Exhibition (GGCE) 2025 opening ceremony.
Scheduled to hold from November 24 to 28, 2025 in Lekki, Lagos. The GGCE 2025 is a premier gathering of stakeholders in the precious minerals value chain, including miners, gemologists, investors, policymakers, and traditional leaders.
The presence of the Ooni of Ife, a revered monarch and cultural icon with a great passion for collecting precious stones, according to the organisers, underscores the deep historical and economic significance of gold and gemstones in African heritage, and the importance of aligning modern industry with traditional custodianship and community development.
“We are deeply honoured by the gracious acceptance of His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, to serve as Father of the Day at the GGCE 2025 opening ceremony. His presence symbolizes unity, cultural pride, and a shared vision for sustainable development through our God-given natural resources,” says president, Women in Mining in Nigeria, Engr Janet Adeyemi, on behalf of the organising committee.
The Ooni’s involvement, she said, is expected to lend traditional legitimacy and royal endorsement to the conversations around responsible mining, economic empowerment, and the global positioning of Nigeria’s gold and gemstone sector
