Foremost engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, has celebrated the 2026 International Women’s Day with educational outreach programmes in schools across Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt, as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives aimed at empowering young girls and promoting gender inclusion.
The company organised interactive sessions with students while distributing school bags containing educational materials and other items to beneficiaries. In Abuja, the outreach reached students of Government Secondary School Life Camp, Gwarinpa, and Government Secondary School Garki.
The visits formed part of the company’s broader initiative to promote youth empowerment and encourage young girls to pursue ambitious careers by engaging directly with students who represent the next generation of professionals and leaders in Nigeria.
During the session at the Gwarinpa school, representatives of Julius Berger shared personal career experiences and motivational insights with the students. The Head of Quality Control and Quality Assurance Department at the company, Anastasia Okonkwo, encouraged the students to dream boldly and pursue goals that challenge their abilities.
She noted that meaningful dreams often appear intimidating at first, explaining that when a goal seems big enough to create a sense of fear, it may also have the potential to inspire remarkable achievement. According to her, success begins with the willingness to imagine possibilities beyond one’s immediate environment and to remain disciplined in pursuing them.
The outreach also emphasised the importance of early career preparation, with speakers advising students to remain focused on their academic work while developing strong personal values that would guide their future professional journeys.
At Government Secondary School Garki, students participated in discussions on leadership, confidence and the potential of young women to excel in different fields.
Speaking during the session, Contract Manager at Julius Berger, Omonigho Brown, delivered a motivational talk titled “Your Voice, Your Relevance, and Your Future.” She urged the students to recognise their leadership potential early, noting that leadership often begins with small responsibilities such as serving as class prefects, head girls or playing supportive roles within families.
Brown also stressed the importance of allowing one’s voice to be heard, noting that many women throughout history had challenged social barriers and prejudices to create opportunities for younger generations.
Similarly, during the Lagos outreach, Civil Engineer and Technical Officer at the company, Rasheedat Anifowoshe, encouraged the students to remain confident and determined, particularly in fields traditionally dominated by men.
She explained that determination and proper time management are critical to achieving success, adding that young girls should not limit themselves when choosing career paths. She also assured the students that the company would welcome them for industrial training placements when they reach the stage of their SIWES or IT programmes.
The interactive sessions allowed students to reflect on lessons learned, with many noting that the engagements had strengthened their confidence and motivated them to work harder towards achieving their career aspirations.
As part of the outreach in the various schools, the visiting teams presented educational and other support items to students as a symbolic gesture of encouragement. The company said the initiative reflects its continued commitment to supporting education and inspiring young people within the communities where it operates.
Beyond the school outreaches, activities marking the celebration were also held at several company sites, including Uyo, Oloibiri and Bodo-Bonny, where female staff engaged in discussions highlighting the significance of the global event and the role of women in society.
The company said the initiative underscores its enduring commitment to community development, youth empowerment and the promotion of gender inclusion, particularly in sectors where women are increasingly making their mark.
