As part of activities marking the 2026 International Women’s Day, SIFAX Group rolled out a series of initiatives aimed at empowering young girls, strengthening the capacity of its female workforce, and supporting vulnerable members of the community in Lagos.
The multi-pronged programme featured a school outreach, an employee empowerment webinar and a food distribution exercise that collectively impacted hundreds of beneficiaries.
One of the highlights of the celebration was an outreach programme to United Christian Secondary School, Apapa, Lagos, where more than 500 girls received mentorship from senior female employees of the company.
During the interactive session, the mentors spoke on leadership, education, personal development and menstrual health awareness, while also sharing personal career experiences to inspire the students.
The company also donated textbooks, menstrual pads and perfumes to the students as part of efforts to support their learning and well-being.
Speakers encouraged the girls to remain focused on their education and avoid distractions, stressing that determination and discipline can open doors in any career path, including business, medicine, law, technology and the creative industries.
Speaking during the session, Company Secretary and Legal Head of SIFAX Group, Jesuyemisi Odeyemi, urged the students to pursue excellence with confidence.
“You are strong. You can do it, and you will. You will not only do it, but you will also do it well — you will do it better”, she told the students.
Also addressing the girls, Head of Corporate Communications at Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO), Vanessa Uansohia, the aviation arm of SIFAX Group, challenged them to overcome self-limiting beliefs.
“The only person that is stopping you is yourself”, she said, encouraging the students to pursue their ambitions with boldness and confidence.
As part of its internal celebration of the day, the company also organised an interactive webinar for female employees focused on strengthening leadership and communication skills in the workplace.
During the session, Public Speaking Strategist Joyce Daniels, delivered a presentation titled “Speaking: A Tool for Growth, Multiplication, and Career Progression”. She urged participants to see public speaking as a catalyst for professional advancement.
According to her, effective leaders distinguish themselves through the confidence and conviction with which they communicate their ideas.
“If you will grow, multiply and have progression in your career, you will speak from a place of conviction”, she said.
Commenting on the significance of the celebration, Group Coordinating Director of SIFAX Group, Wunmi Eniola-Jegede,
described International Women’s Day as an opportunity to celebrate the social, economic and cultural achievements of women while reinforcing the call for gender equality.
She noted that the year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” aligns with the organisation’s commitment to inclusivity and empowerment.
“Every woman is a leader in her own right, and giving back creates growth opportunities for individuals, organisations and communities”, she said.
Extending its outreach beyond the workplace and schools, the company also organised a community support programme in Ijora, where 500 bags of assorted food items were distributed to vulnerable households.
Each pack contained essential household staples including rice, beans, vegetable oil, garri and salt, aimed at providing relief to families in the community.
The distribution was carried out in collaboration with local community leaders to ensure a transparent and orderly process.
Eniola-Jegede, who coordinated the outreach, said the initiative reflects the organisation’s culture of compassion and its commitment to supporting the communities in which it operates.
She added that the programme was also designed to encourage women within the organisation to lead community-based interventions that uplift vulnerable groups and amplify the message of International Women’s Day.