By Yunusa Isa, Gombe
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has commended Lafarge Africa Plc for its commitment to breaking gender barriers following the graduation of 20 drivers under the company’s maiden “Women on Wheels” programme in Ashaka.
Represented by his deputy, Dr. Manasseh Daniel Jatau, the Governor hailed the initiative as a vital step toward promoting gender inclusion and tackling the persistent challenge of unemployment within Nigeria’s male-dominated transport and logistics sector.
During the ceremony held in Ashaka, Funakaye Local Government Area, the Governor expressed deep confidence in the capabilities of the new drivers, noting that “Women often bring outstanding commitment, trustworthiness, and a unique “soft power” to their professional responsibilities”.
While congratulating the graduates, the governor charged them to maintain the highest levels of professionalism and strict adherence to traffic regulations.
However, the Governor also used the platform to urge the management of Lafarge Ashaka Cement to strengthen its ties with the government and local communities, specifically calling for an upgrade in corporate social responsibility through the provision of better access roads in the region.
The Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge, Mr. Lolu Alade Akinyemi, revealed in his opening remarks that the company has now trained a total of 113 professional women drivers under this initiative nationwide.
He emphasized that the program is a deliberate effort to challenge traditional norms and open doors for women in heavy-duty truck driving.
Supporting this sentiment, the Managing Director of Ashaka Cement, Alhaji Aminu Ibrahim, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to economic empowerment, gender equality and inclusivity as core pillars of their operations.
Traditional and safety authorities also lent their voices to the milestone. The Emir of Funakaye, Alhaji Yakubu Muhammad Kwairaga, commended the company for the shift in industry standards and advocated for even greater youth inclusion in future cohorts.
Meanwhile, Gombe FRSC Sector Commander Samson Kaura pointed to research suggesting that female drivers are often more safety-conscious than their male counterparts, though he cautioned the new graduates to remain vigilant and uphold rigorous professional standards on the road.
The graduating class consisted of 15 female truck drivers and five male community drivers, with the three top-performing students receiving special awards for their excellence during the training.
Speaking on behalf of her peers, Judith Baka expressed gratitude to Lafarge for the career-changing opportunity and pledged that the group would discharge their duties with diligence and professional integrity.