Leading Nigerian conglomerate SIFAX Group has commemorated the 2026 edition of International Women’s Day with a series of impactful initiatives aimed at empowering young girls, strengthening female employees and supporting vulnerable communities in Lagos.
The multi-faceted celebration, which spanned mentorship programmes, staff development activities and community outreach, positively impacted hundreds of girls, female professionals and disadvantaged households across the state.
One of the major highlights of the programme was a school outreach to United Christian Secondary School in Apapa, Lagos, where more than 500 female students were mentored by senior female staff members of the organisation.
During the session, the students were exposed to discussions on leadership development, education, career planning, personal growth and menstrual health awareness. As part of the intervention, the company donated textbooks, menstrual hygiene products and perfumes to the students to support their learning and personal well-being.
Drawing from their professional experiences, the speakers encouraged the students to remain focused on their academic pursuits and avoid distractions that could derail their ambitions. They emphasized that discipline, determination and self-belief can open doors to success in diverse fields including business, law, medicine, technology and the creative industry.
Speaking during the mentorship session, Jesuyemisi Odeyemi, Company Secretary and Legal Head of SIFAX Group, urged the students to pursue excellence with confidence and determination.
“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, encouraging them to believe in their capabilities.
Also addressing the students, Vanessa Uansohia, Head of Corporate Communications at Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO), the aviation arm of SIFAX Group, challenged them to overcome self-doubt and embrace their ambitions.
“The only person that is stopping you is yourself,” she said, urging the girls to confront limiting beliefs and pursue their dreams with boldness and confidence.
Beyond the school outreach, the company also organised an interactive webinar for female employees across the group to strengthen their communication and leadership capacity in the workplace.
The webinar featured Public Speaking Strategist Joyce Daniels, who delivered a presentation titled “Speaking: A Tool for Growth, Multiplication, and Career Progression.” She encouraged participants to embrace public speaking as a key driver of career advancement, noting that confidence and conviction remain the foundation of effective communication.
“If you will grow, multiply and have progression in your career, you will speak from a place of conviction,” Daniels said, adding that impactful leaders distinguish themselves by their willingness to confidently express their ideas.
Commenting on the significance of the celebration, Wunmi Eniola-Jegede, Group Coordinating Director of SIFAX Group, described International Women’s Day as an important moment to celebrate the social, economic and cultural achievements of women while renewing the call for gender equality.
She noted that the organisation’s activities were inspired by the theme “Give to Gain,” which aligns with the company’s commitment to inclusivity, empowerment and community development.
“Every woman is a leader in her own right, and giving back creates growth opportunities for individuals, organisations and communities,” she said.
In addition to empowering students and employees, the company also extended its impact to the wider community through a food distribution initiative in Ijora, Lagos.
During the outreach, 500 bags of assorted food items were distributed to vulnerable households within the community. Each food pack contained essential household staples such as rice, beans, vegetable oil, garri and salt, providing immediate relief to families facing economic challenges.
The distribution exercise was carried out in collaboration with community leaders to ensure transparency and orderly distribution of the items to beneficiaries.
Eniola-Jegede, who coordinated the outreach programme, explained that the initiative reflects the company’s longstanding culture of compassion and its commitment to supporting the communities in which it operates.
She added that the programme also served to amplify the message of International Women’s Day by encouraging women within the organisation to lead initiatives that uplift vulnerable members of society.
