Lafarge Africa Plc has trained no fewer than 133 women in heavy-duty truck driving over a six-year period as part of efforts to boost gender inclusion, address driver shortages, and enhance the logistics sector in Nigeria.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge Africa, Mr. Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, disclosed this during the graduation ceremony of 30 new female truck drivers under the companyโs โWomen on Wheelsโ (WOW) initiative, held in Calabar recently.
According to him, the initiative, which began in 2018, is designed not only to address the critical shortage of drivers in the logistics sector but also to promote sustainability, raise industry benchmarks, and drive gender diversity in the traditionally male-dominated field.
โOur Women on Wheels programme is a game-changer,โ Alade-Akinyemi said. โWe are adding 30 more women to our growing list. In 2021, 56 women graduated from our Mfamosing operations, and recently, 17 did from our Ewekoro operations. This initiative enhances transportation, promotes safety, and empowers women financially.โ
A breakdown of the training figures shows that 56 women were trained at the companyโs Mfamosing plant in Cross River State in 2021, while another 17 women recently graduated from the Ewekoro operations in Ogun State.
Alade-Akinyemi reiterated the company’s commitment to stakeholder safety and inclusivity. โThe success of our female truck drivers has encouraged us to expand the programme, enhancing safety, efficiency, and gender equality in our logistics,โ he stated.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of Akamkpa Local Government Area, Hon. Felix Akposi, commended Lafarge Africa for stepping up its corporate social responsibility initiatives in the state. He noted that the WOW programme is not only empowering women but also contributing meaningfully to local economic development.
โThis is a clear demonstration that Lafarge is not just here to do business, but also to build communities,โ Hon. Akposi said. โWe applaud this remarkable initiative and encourage other corporate bodies to emulate this model of impact-driven CSR.โ
Dignitaries present included the Cross River State Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Hon. Effiom Ekaha, among others.
