Firm trains 30 female truck drivers in Cross River
Lafarge Africa Plc has graduated 30 more female truck drivers from its Women on Wheels (WoW) training programme.
The graduation ceremony was held yesterday at the Lafarge Driving Institute in Calabar, Cross River State.
The Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lafarge Africa, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, described the initiative as a bold step toward improving gender balance in Nigeria’s male-dominated transport sector.
According to the Lafarge boss, since the programme began in 2019, it has produced 103 trained female drivers. “We are committed to empowering women and improving safety in logistics. This programme helps solve driver shortages and promotes diversity,” he said.
Lafarge’s Logistics Director, Osazemen Aghatise, noted that the success of previous WoW graduates encouraged the company to expand the programme. Cross River State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Edema Irom, urged the graduates to represent the state proudly and continue to excel in their careers.
The best graduating student, Nzom Gertrude, thanked Lafarge for the opportunity. “People doubted us, but with support from our instructors and families, we made it,” she said.
A representative of Integrated Automotive Services Limited (IASL), Kemi Shobayo, encouraged the women to be confident and serve as role models for others. Women on Wheels equips women with driving skills, safety training, and knowledge to succeed in the logistics industry.
The Women on Wheels initiative is an inclusive programme designed to empower women by providing them with the skills and knowledge to become professional truck drivers.
The programme provides road safety guidelines, technical skills, and defensive driving techniques necessary for success in the male-dominated logistics industry.
