15 Female Truck Drivers Graduate From Lafarge Programme

Lafarge Africa Plc has graduated 15 female truck drivers and five community drivers from its Women on Wheels programme at its Ashaka cement plant in Gombe State.

The graduation ceremony, held recently at the facility, marked the completion of a six-month training programme designed to equip participants with the technical, safety, and operational skills required for handling heavy-duty vehicles.

The company said the initiative aims to address driver shortages, improve road safety standards, and promote gender inclusion in Nigeria’s construction logistics sector.

Speaking at the event, Gombe State Deputy Governor Mannasseh Jatau commended the company for creating opportunities for women through the programme, describing it as a meaningful contribution to community development.

Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge Africa Plc, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, said the graduation reflects progress in expanding diversity within the logistics value chain and challenging gender stereotypes in the industry.

Also speaking, the company’s Logistics Director, Osazemen Aghatise, said the initiative has grown to include over 100 female drivers currently employed by the firm across its operations. He added that the programme would continue to expand to other locations, including Ewekoro and Calabar.

Managing Director of Ashaka Cement Limited, Ibrahim Aminu, said the integration of the newly trained drivers would help improve logistics efficiency in the North-East region while addressing workforce gaps.

The training, conducted at the Lafarge Drivers Institute, covered advanced vehicle handling, defensive driving, fuel efficiency, and safety practices.

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, best graduating driver Judith Baka expressed appreciation to the company for the opportunity, noting that the programme had enhanced her professional prospects.

Dignitaries at the event included the Emir of Funakaye, Yakubu Kwairanga, and the Federal Road Safety Corps Sector Commander in Gombe State, Samson Kaura.

Since its launch in 2019, the Women on Wheels programme has trained more than 100 female truck drivers, according to the company.