Lafarge Africa Plc has graduated another 30 female truck drivers from its Women on Wheels training programme, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 103 since the initiative began in 2019.
The graduation ceremony, which was held on April 29 in Calabar, Cross River State, attracted government officials, industry regulators, and community stakeholders, according to a statement from the firm on Friday.
Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, described the initiative as “a game-changer in Nigeria’s male-dominated transportation industry.”
He said, “Lafarge Africa is committed to empowering women and ensuring stakeholder safety. Our initiative to train female truck drivers is a game-changer in Nigeria’s male-dominated transportation industry.”
Alade-Akinyemi revealed that the company is adding 30 more women to its list to address driver shortages, stating, “In 2021, 56 women graduated from our Mfamosing operations, and recently, 17 did from our Ewekoro operations.
“This addresses driver shortages, enhances transportation, sets industry benchmarks, promotes sustainability, and increases gender diversity in logistics.”
Logistics Director Osazemen Aghatise said the remarkable performance of earlier graduates spurred the company to deepen investment in the training.
Aghatise submitted, “The success of our female truck drivers has encouraged us to expand the programme, enhancing safety, efficiency, and gender equality in our logistics.”
Commissioner for Women Affairs Edema Irom urged the graduates to uphold excellence and serve as role models for girls in the state and the country.
“Cross River State is always advocating for the enhancement of the lives of the Girl child, and you must be our great ambassadors of the state and the nation at large,” she said.
Best graduating student, Nzom Gertrude, expressed gratitude to the cement giant for giving her and her colleagues a platform to thrive.
“Many people assumed that we couldn’t achieve this feat. However, with the encouragement of the instructors and our families, we have done it,” Gertrude remarked.
Representative of Integrated Automotive Services Limited, Kemi Shobayo, advised the women to drive with confidence and uphold integrity, adding that they are now “role models to young girls who dare to dream big.”
The Women on Wheels programme equips women with road safety knowledge, technical skills, and defensive driving training to enable them to succeed in the haulage sector.
The event was attended by dignitaries, including Commissioner for Transportation Ekpeyong Cobham; Commissioner for Solid Minerals Effiom Ekaha, and Chairman of Akampa Local Government Felix Okposi, among others.
