News
Lafarge Africa Unveils 2025 Edition of Female Tilers and Block Laying Training
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L-R: The Chairman, Community Relations Committee, High Chief Effiong Edet; Community Relations Manager, Lafarge Africa Plc, Immaculata Archibong; the Commisioner of Women Affairs, Cross River State, Hon. Edema Irom; the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Cross River State, Hon.(Barr) Ijom Ukam and the Program coordinator, Girls Power Initiative, Calabar- Mrs Comfort Ikpeme during officially launch of the 2025 Female Tilers and Block Laying Training Programme tagged “BuildHer by Lafarge”in Calabar recently
…Tagged BuildHer by Lafarge” Initiative
Lafarge Africa Plc, a leading innovative and sustainable building solutions company, has reaffirmed its commitment to women’s empowerment and inclusion in the construction industry with the commencement of its 2025 Female Tilers and Block Laying Training.
The initiative, themed “BuildHer by Lafarge,” is designed to equip women from low-income communities in Lagos, Ogun, and Cross River states with technical, entrepreneurial, and financial skills that will enable them to build sustainable livelihoods and thrive in traditionally male-dominated professions.
The 2025 edition is being implemented in partnership with the state government agencies. The training will be delivered to 100 women across the country with support from the Lagos Ministry of Youth and Social Development, led by the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, and the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund in Lagos state, led by Feyisayo Alayande, Executive Secretary, LSETF. In Ogun State, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, headed by the Honourable Commissioner of Women Affairs & Social Development – Mrs Adijat Motunrayo Adeleye-Oladapo, supports the initiative.
In Cross River State, the programme is delivered in partnership with the Cross River state Ministry of Women Affairs, led by the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs – Mrs. Edema Irom.
The programme, designed for women from low-income communities across the country, offers an intensive eight-week training that combines practical and entrepreneurial skills. Participants will gain hands-on experience in tiling and block-laying using Lafarge Africa’s Supafix and SupaSet products, respectively. Beyond technical expertise, the programme also provides entrepreneurship training, mentoring, and financial literacy classes, equipping women with the tools to build sustainable careers in the construction industry.
Recognising the unique challenges faced by women between the ages of 20-45 in low-income communities, Lafarge Africa has designed the program to ensure inclusivity and support. Participants will receive support that includes transportation, feeding, and access to a creche service for nursing mothers with children under 18 months, enabling them to engage fully in the training without compromising their family responsibilities.
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, Group Managing Director/CEO of Lafarge Africa Plc, said, “At Lafarge Africa, we are keen on sustainable female empowerment. With our female tilers and block-laying training program, we are opening doors for women to participate meaningfully in the construction industry while improving their economic independence.
We are proud to play a role in breaking barriers, reducing poverty, and creating opportunities for women to contribute to the development of their families, their communities, and our nation.”
Speaking on the structure of the programme, Viola Graham-Douglas, Director, Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainable Development remarked that the initiative reflects a balance between technical training and broader empowerment.
“We are raising the next generation of women in construction through this training program. Since 2022, when we deployed the first training, we have trained more than 60 women and are excited for this year’s edition, which is bigger and better than previous editions.
The programme will culminate in a graduation ceremony, where participants will receive certificates of completion endorsed by Lafarge Africa in partnership with technical institutions, and trade associations. Graduates will also be integrated into the Block Makers and Tilers Association of Nigeria, formally recognising them as professionals in their field who are open to job opportunities.” She said.
To ensure sustainability, every graduate will be equipped with start-up tools, and the top ten participants will be specially recognised for outstanding performance.
Beyond the training, Lafarge will launch a BuildHer Alumni Network, providing a platform for continued mentorship, collaboration, and visibility for programme beneficiaries. A Train the Trainers initiative will also be introduced, ensuring that the impact of the programme can be replicated and scaled across more communities in the years to come.
News
Ogun: 2026 Budget Expansion Driven by Massive Infrastructure Pipeline, Revenue Growth, Economic Reforms — Okubadejo
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The Ogun State Government has attributed the expansion of its 2026 budget to an aggressive infrastructure development pipeline, rising internally generated revenue (IGR), and sweeping economic reforms aimed at positioning the state as Nigeria’s foremost industrial and logistics hub, as the budget increased to 58%.
This was stated by the Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Hon. Dapo Okubadejo, during a media parley on the breakdown of the 2026 budget, tagged “Budget of Sustainable Legacy,” held at Oke-Mosan on Tuesday. He stated that the scale of ongoing and proposed capital projects necessitated a larger fiscal framework.
Okubadejo emphasised that a major driver of the expanded budget is the development of two dry ports currently in the pipeline. One of the ports is being funded by the Federal Government, while the second is being executed through a public-private partnership arrangement with a private sector investor.
He posited that the dry ports are expected to significantly ease the movement of goods, support exports, and reduce logistics costs for more than 80 manufacturing factories operating across the state.
Okubadejo explained that the initiative aligns with Ogun’s status as Nigeria’s industrial capital, noting that improved logistics infrastructure would further accelerate industrial productivity, attract new investments, and strengthen trade competitiveness.
He added that budget growth is also linked to renewed activities around the Olokola Free Trade Zone and the proposed Olokola Deep Sea Port.
“The developments, coupled with the recent announcement of oil discovery in the area, are expected to unlock new revenue streams for the state once commercial evaluations are concluded, potentially paving the way for Ogun to attain oil-producing status”
In the transport sector, the Commissioner for Transport, Engr. Olugbenga Dairo, disclosed plans to extend the Lagos Red Line Rail and Lagos Blue Line Rail projects into Ogun State to enhance mobility.
Dairo said the rail expansion would improve commuter movement, boost daily economic activities, and further integrate Ogun into regional and national transportation networks.
He noted that road infrastructure would feature prominently in the state’s capital expenditure drive.
According to him, the administration has reconstructed and rehabilitated several strategic corridors, including the 42-kilometre interchange road linking Lagos to Abeokuta. Since its completion, the road has reportedly triggered a surge in industrial and commercial activities along the axis.
He added that other key roads connecting border towns such as Ikorodu, Ogijo, and Sagamu have been upgraded to facilitate the smooth movement of goods, services, and people.
While further explaining Okubadejo noted that improved infrastructure has encouraged increased migration into the state, fueling demand for housing and reinforcing what he described as a growing housing and power revolution across Ogun.
Speaking on state’s debt Okubadejo stressed that debt sustainability remains strong, with careful structuring of loan tenors, interest rates, and repayment schedules.
He disclosed that as of 2025, Ogun State’s domestic debt stood at approximately ₦194 billion, compared to ₦133 billion in 2019, while foreign debt levels have been affected mainly by exchange rate depreciation.
Okubadejo also highlighted pension reforms as a key component of the state’s economic restructuring, citing improved remittance consistency and the gradual transition to a fully operational contributory pension scheme.
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Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has approved cash rewards totalling over ₦450 million for athletes and officials of Team Ogun following the state’s outstanding performance at the just-concluded National Sports Festival.
The governor announced this on Monday during the cash award ceremony held in honour of medalists, noting that Ogun State finished second overall with 239 medals, its best performance in the history of the festival.
Abiodun described the achievement as a testament to the steady growth of sports development in the state, stressing that his administration remains committed to recognising excellence.
He disclosed that all training allowances, participation allowances and contractual fees owed athletes and officials had been fully settled.
According to him, immediate cash rewards earlier promised during his visit to the athletes’ camp were promptly fulfilled, including ₦50,000 paid to every qualified athlete and instant bonuses for medal winners before the festival’s closing ceremony.
The governor announced a historic reward package for medalists, including₦2.5 million each for 93 gold medalists; ₦1.5 million each for 61 silver medalists, and ₦1 million each for 81 bronze medalists.
He added that additional provisions were approved for athletes in team sports to acknowledge their collective contributions.
Abiodun said the gesture was aimed at motivating athletes and encouraging young people across Ogun State to embrace sports as a viable career path.
The governor also approved special financial support for technical officials, announcing ₦10 million for coaches through the Director of Coaching and ₦14.8 million for participating officials via the Director of Administration and Supply.
He commended their discipline, mentorship and professionalism, describing them as key drivers of Team Ogun’s success.
Abiodun highlighted the transformation of the sports sector in Ogun State, citing increased hosting of international competitions, improved sporting infrastructure, and greater utilisation of facilities by national teams and leagues.
He expressed appreciation to sports administrators, private sector partners and other stakeholders for supporting the growth of sports in the state.
Looking ahead to the next National Sports Festival in Enugu, the governor urged athletes to remain focused and encouraged aspiring talents to participate in open trials and development programmes.
He congratulated Team Ogun for making the state proud and reaffirmed his administration’s continued investment in sports development.
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The Ogun State Internal Revenue Service (OGIRS) has concluded a two-day capacity-building training programme aimed at deepening institutional understanding of the newly introduced tax reforms and enhancing the operational efficiency of its tax officials.
The programme, held at the Oba’s Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, was themed “Navigating the New Tax Reforms.” It was designed to equip participants with the requisite knowledge and practical skills for effective implementation of updated tax policies, while strengthening revenue administration across the state.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of OGIRS, Mr. Olugbenga Olaleye, said the training underscored the Service’s commitment to professionalism, continuous learning, and improved service delivery in line with ongoing fiscal reforms.
According to him, the initiative was structured to help officers unlearn obsolete practices and embrace emerging standards in tax administration.
“Let us get things right and remain open to learning, training and enlightenment. Through this, we sharpen our skills. This programme is meant for us to unlearn and re-learn,” he stated.
One of the resource persons, the Executive Chairman of the Kano State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS), Dr. Zaid Abubakar, explained that the new tax reforms were designed to establish a uniform tax system in Nigeria and harmonise tax administration across all tiers of government.
He noted that the reforms were citizen-centred, aimed at reducing the tax burden on Nigerians and simplifying tax payment processes.
Dr. Abubakar added that effective communication and public sensitisation were critical to fostering public trust and understanding of the reforms, stressing that accountability remained central to the new tax framework in order to drive sustainable revenue generation.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of D&A Associates, Mrs. Stella Olaleye, emphasised that leadership is defined by mindset rather than position.
She encouraged leaders to pursue collective success by empowering their subordinates, leading by example, and demonstrating empathy. She highlighted the five levels of leadership as positional, permission, production, people development (reproduction), and pinnacle.
In her presentation, a facilitator from D&A Associates, Mrs. Oluwabunmi Olukoga, delivered a session on emotional intelligence in the workplace.
She explained that emotional intelligence involves understanding and managing one’s emotions while empathising with others. She urged participants to cultivate active listening, self-reflection, and positive responses to constructive criticism, while also stressing the importance of punctuality, appropriate dressing, courteous language, and attentive listening as core workplace etiquette.
In their separate remarks, the Coordinating Director, Mr. Taiwo Ogundimu, and the Director of Field Operations, Mrs. Oluwaseun Olajube, commended the OGIRS Chairman and organisers for the timely initiative.
They expressed confidence that the programme would better position tax officials to educate taxpayers on the new reforms and apply the knowledge gained effectively in the discharge of their duties.
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