Lafarge Africa Plc, a leading provider of innovative and sustainable building solutions and manufacturer of a wide range of cement, readymix, mortar, and Plaster of Paris brands, has successfully upskilled 100 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) through its Disability to Ability (D2A) programme.
The event held recently at Sheba Centre, Maryland, Lagos, marked the successful completion of intensive vocational and entrepreneurial training delivered in partnership with chess icon and changemaker, Tunde Onakoya, the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, and the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA).
The D2A Programme, themed “Ability Reimagined,” equipped participants with practical, market-relevant skills across four vocational areas: Laptop and Phone Repairs; Make-Up and Gele styling; Wig and Braids Making; and Shoe and Bag Making. The training was conducted across two hubs; Ikeja (Lagos West) and Ikorodu (Lagos East), ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for beneficiaries across the state.
Speaking at the event, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Lafarge Africa Plc, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, explained that the initiative reinforces the company’s commitment to fostering equity, empowering vulnerable groups, and supporting inclusive economic growth across Nigeria.
Alade-Akinyemi noted that the milestone is a significant step in advancing inclusion and economic empowerment for persons living with disabilities. According to him, equity and inclusion are not just ideas the company speaks about but principles it actively embeds in its business culture. He stated that the company remains committed to building a future in which every individual, regardless of physical ability, has the platform, tools, and dignity to thrive.
“Through targeted training in digital skills, vocational training and entrepreneurship, we are not only equipping participants with capabilities for today, but are positioning them for relevance and independence for the future of work,” he said.
Delivering his remarks, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Lagos State, Mobolaji Ogunlende, commended the company for empowering people with disabilities with the skills and necessary tools needed to thrive.
Ogunlende urged the company as well as the beneficiaries to continue to forge a partnership or collaboration that would help them grow in their crafts
“For us in Lagos State, we believe that there is ability in disability. It is what you do with the skills or empowerment that matters. Your destiny is in your hands because you have been empowered or exposed to the right skills.’
The Executive Secretary, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Feyisayo Alayande, noted that the initiative has been largely successful as a result of the powerful collaboration between the agency and the company.
Alayande stated that building the future goes beyond infrastructure but also building people, strengthening their potential, and shaping a far more inclusive and sustainable society. She described the programme as a reflection of the institution’s ongoing efforts to create opportunities and ensure that individuals can thrive independently. She added that through the programme, the beneficiaries can earn a living and contribute to themselves, their families, and the broader Nigerian economy.
Also speaking, the Director of Communications, Public Affairs & Sustainable Development, Lafarge Africa Plc, Viola Graham-Douglas, said that the D2A programme aligns with the company’s long-term sustainability and inclusive growth agenda, which prioritises empowering underserved communities through practical and scalable solutions.
Graham-Douglas stated that the programme was initiated with the belief that inclusion must be intentional and empowerment must be practical. She noted that the programme is not only meant to train people, but also to transform their lives in a way that is sustainable and far-reaching.
One of the participants in the laptop and phone repairs group, Oluwatosin Savage expressed gratitude to Lafarge, LSETF and LASODA. He stated: “Following the training, I can confidently repair a phone and laptop. I can also handle any type of accessories and gadgets ’ he said.
