Breaking Barriers: 15 Women Become Certified Truck Drivers in Gombe

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

In a move that is reshaping Nigeria’s logistics landscape, Lafarge Africa Plc has graduated 15 female truck drivers under its flagship Women on Wheels programme, along with five community drivers.

The colourful ceremony, held on Thursday at the Ashaka Cement Plant, marked the end of an intensive six-month training program designed to equip participants with the skills needed to safely operate heavy-duty vehicles in the country’s demanding construction sector.

The newly certified drivers underwent rigorous instruction covering advanced vehicle handling, defensive driving, fuel efficiency, and safety protocols.

The program is not only helping to bridge the shortage of qualified drivers; it is also promoting safe roads and challenging long-standing gender stereotypes in the industry.

Representing the state government, Deputy Governor Mannasseh Jatau praised the initiative, describing it as a powerful example of how private sector investments can transform lives.

He noted that empowering women through such programmes creates opportunities that ripple across communities.

“This initiative demonstrates a strong dedication to addressing genuine societal issues while providing women with the opportunity to excel in unconventional roles,” he stated.

In his remarks, the Group Managing Director and CEO of Lafarge Africa, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, described the graduation as a moment of pride and progress. He said the program is redefining what’s possible in the logistics value chain and proving that excellence is not defined by gender.

“You have broken barriers and stepped into a space many thought was out of reach. Carry this achievement with confidence and continue to represent excellence,” he told the graduates.

Also speaking, the company’s logistics director, Osazemen Aghatise, highlighted the broader impact of the initiative, noting that it has created a growing network of over 100 female drivers across Lafarge operations nationwide.

“This programme is about creating access and building capacity. It is proof that when given the opportunity, women can excel in any field,” he said, while urging the graduates to uphold strict safety and professional standards.

The managing director of Ashaka Cement Limited, Ibrahim Aminu, described the milestone as significant not only for the company but also for the entire North-East region.

According to him, integrating the new drivers into operations will boost efficiency while addressing workforce gaps, particularly by ensuring that there are enough qualified personnel to meet the demands of the growing transportation sector.

Speaking on behalf of her colleagues, the best graduating driver, Judith Baka, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, noting that the training has opened a new chapter in her life and career.

The event drew notable guests, including the Emir of Funakaye, Yakubu Kwairanga, and the Federal Road Safety Corps Sector Commander in Gombe, Samson Kaura, alongside other government officials and stakeholders.

Since launching the Women on Wheels initiative in 2019, Lafarge Africa has trained over 100 female truck drivers, steadily building a more inclusive workforce and setting a new standard for gender participation in Nigeria’s construction and logistics sectors.

Lafarge Africa Commends Nationwide Distributors with Premium Rewards in Lagos

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Lafarge Africa Plc has celebrated its top-performing customers and transporters at the 2025 Customer and Transporter Awards, recognising outstanding contributions that have strengthened its market presence across Nigeria.

The colourful ceremony, held on February 21 at the Landmark Event Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, brought together major stakeholders, industry players and government officials to honour partners whose dedication has driven the company’s commercial success.

Among dignitaries present were the Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Moruf Akinderu Fatai, and the Cross River State Commissioner for Women Affairs, alongside members of the Lafarge Africa Board including Mrs. Adenike Ogunlesi, Mrs. Olusola Oworu and Mrs. Elenda Osima-Dokubo, as well as management and staff of the company.

The annual awards, regarded as a highlight of Lafarge Africa’s commercial calendar, celebrate customers and transporters who ensure the company’s cement and building solutions reach markets nationwide. The 2025 edition spotlighted resilience, integrity and performance in a challenging economic environment.

Elder Ubong Bassey Obot of Ubotex Nigeria Limited emerged as the National Volume Champion, clinching the star prize — a 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser. Igwe Cosmas Ezeumeh Chizoba of C.C. Umeh and Sons Limited secured first runner-up with a 2026 Toyota Prado, while Chief Etim Effiong Okon of Batoframoje Enterprises took second runner-up, receiving a 2026 Toyota Fortuner.

In the transport category, B.I.G MultiQuest Nigeria Limited was named National Winner, Best Transporter, and went home with a 2026 Toyota Hilux.

Two National Growth Champions were rewarded with 15KVA generating sets, while four regional champions each received Toyota RAV4 vehicles. Other prizes presented during the ceremony included a Changan CS55, GAC S3, Hyundai Creta cars, 13KVA solar inverters, 80-inch Hisense televisions and deep freezers.

Welcoming guests, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, expressed appreciation to partners for their unwavering support and loyalty.

He said the company’s achievements in 2025 were closely tied to the strength of its partnerships, noting that Lafarge Africa expanded its retail footprint, enhanced customer experience and strengthened its ready-mix operations during the year. He added that the company also introduced innovative products such as Ecoplanet Elephant and Ecocrete, low-carbon cement and concrete solutions aimed at promoting sustainability in the building sector.

According to him, these milestones would not have been possible without the trust, market insights and consistent backing of customers and transporters.

Also speaking, Commercial Director Gbenga Onimowo described customers and transporters as “trade champions” whose commitment and belief in the company’s products have sustained its leadership in the industry. He noted that the awards were designed not only to recognise excellence but also to inspire greater achievements.

Similarly, Logistics Director Osaze Aghatise commended transport partners for serving as the vital link between the company and its customers, ensuring efficient delivery and nationwide availability of products. He said the recognition was both a celebration of performance and a motivation to maintain high standards.

The ceremony featured the presentation of multiple award categories, lively entertainment and networking opportunities, underscoring the spirit of collaboration that continues to define Lafarge Africa’s relationship with its trade partners.

Dangote Refinery Debunks Shutdown Rumours, Assures Nigerians of Steady Petrol Supply

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has dismissed widespread reports suggesting it is planning a shutdown for maintenance, describing the claims as false, misleading and designed to misinform the public.

In a statement issued on Monday, the refinery clarified that its operations remain stable and uninterrupted, with the capacity to supply between 40 million and 50 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) daily, depending on market demand. It disclosed that on January 4 alone, the facility produced 50 million litres of petrol, while 48 million litres were evacuated through its gantry.

According to the refinery, current stock levels are sufficient to cover more than 20 days of national consumption, effectively putting to rest fears of fuel scarcity.

Addressing concerns about maintenance activities, Dangote Refinery explained that routine work on some units, including the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) and the Residual Fluid Catalytic Cracking (RFCC) unit, does not disrupt overall production. This, it said, is due to the refinery’s advanced and integrated design. Other critical units such as the Naphtha Hydrotreater, CCR Reformer and Hydrocracker remain fully operational, producing PMS, Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) and Jet A-1.

The company further revealed that from December 16, 2025, to date, daily PMS loadings from its gantry have ranged between 31 million and 48 million litres, in line with prevailing market demand. It noted that these figures are verifiable through depot loading records kept by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

Dangote Refinery also reaffirmed its ex-gantry price of N699 per litre for petrol, stressing that the rate is available to all marketers and bulk buyers. It urged filling stations and large-scale consumers to patronise locally refined products, which it said are more affordable, reliable and of superior quality compared to imported fuel.

The refinery accused some fuel importers of spreading false narratives to justify recent increases in pump prices, warning that such actions undermine national interest and worsen the burden on Nigerians. It argued that without local refining capacity, petrol prices could soar as high as N1,400 per litre in a post-subsidy market.

According to the statement, the operations of the Dangote Refinery have played a key role in stabilising the downstream petroleum sector by curbing price volatility, conserving foreign exchange and strengthening Nigeria’s energy security.

Reaffirming its commitment to the country, the refinery pledged to continue supplying high-quality petroleum products, ensuring steady availability and supporting economic growth. It advised the public and industry stakeholders to ignore unverified reports and rely on credible information sources.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery concluded that it remains focused on serving the national interest by promoting energy independence, market stability and industrial development in Nigeria.