Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, has called for deliberate investments in women as a pathway to building a stronger and more sustainable society.
Salako-Oyedele made the call while delivering a paper during the celebration of International Women’s Day organised by Lafarge Africa Plc in Lagos. The event was held under the theme, “Investing in Women to Build Sustainable Impact.”
The deputy governor said progress does not occur automatically, stressing that it is the outcome of conscious decisions made by individuals, institutions and governments through deliberate investments and supportive policies.
According to her, such deliberate choices include investing in education, creating inclusive workplaces, mentoring younger generations and challenging stereotypes capable of limiting human potential.
She noted that leaders across sectors must foster organisational cultures where competence is recognised, different leadership styles are respected and opportunities are distributed fairly, regardless of gender.
Salako-Oyedele added that sustainable progress could be achieved more quickly when government policies, private sector leadership and community initiatives work together toward the same goal.
The deputy governor also observed that women’s careers are often shaped by biological and social realities that many workplaces fail to acknowledge. She said allowing women to participate equally with men in the workplace is not only a matter of fairness but also a smart strategy for strengthening the workforce and expanding economic opportunities.
She stressed that forward thinking organisations must recognise these challenges and adopt supportive policies for women throughout their working lives.
The policies, she explained, should include flexible work arrangements, maternity and paternity leave, return to work programmes after career breaks, workplace childcare support and systems that assist women dealing with mid career health transitions.
Salako-Oyedele commended Lafarge Africa Plc for recognising the vital role women play in society and for organising the event.
“When women are given the opportunity to succeed, their families, organisations, communities and the nation benefit. When women rise, societies rise with them. When we invest in a woman today, we are not just shaping careers, we are shaping the future,” she said.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer and Group Managing Director of Lafarge Africa Plc, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, said women must be given equal opportunities with men across organisations.
He explained that this commitment informed the company’s decision to expand opportunities for women within its workforce.
Alade-Akinyemi said behind every statistic about gender equality lies a human story, adding that the organisation has continued to invest in and support women beyond the annual celebration of International Women’s Day.
According to him, investing in women strengthens partnerships and helps build a culture where merit, capability and performance determine opportunities.
Also speaking, the Director of Communication, Public Affairs and Sustainable Development at Lafarge Africa Plc, Viola Graham-Douglas, said women deserve to be celebrated every day.
She said the company remains committed to empowering women as part of efforts to build a sustainable future.
Graham-Douglas urged women to support one another in order to build strong teams and more innovative institutions.
She noted that although International Women’s Day has been celebrated for decades, many still overlook the fact that women remain pillars within family units and society.
According to her, granting women equal opportunities will enable them to contribute meaningfully to national development while promoting long term economic growth.
