Presco Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading agro-allied companies, took part in the global celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2024 by hosting an event focused on empowering women and highlighting their critical role in the development of the nation. The celebration, held at the company’s headquarters in Obaretin Estate, Benin City, attracted a strong turnout, reflecting the importance of the event to the company and the broader agro-industrial sector.
The company used the occasion to emphasize its commitment to gender equality, noting that women constitute a significant portion of its workforce. Presco has long recognized the invaluable contributions women make to any organization, positioning them as key drivers of corporate success. According to Reji Goerge, the Chief Executive Officer of Presco Plc, the company celebrates IWD annually to ensure that women’s participation in the workforce continues to increase each year, creating a more inclusive and equitable work environment. He pointed out that currently, 35% of Presco’s workforce is made up of women, with plans to increase this proportion moving forward.
Dr. Betty Agbonkpolor, an expert from the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, was the event’s guest speaker. She delivered a powerful address on the importance of women’s empowerment, urging them to support one another, embrace self-confidence, seek advice, seize opportunities, and invest in continuous learning to foster personal and professional growth. Agbonkpolor’s speech resonated with the audience, reinforcing the idea that empowering women directly contributes to the nation’s progress.
Frank Osemwegie Agbongiague, Presco’s Human Resources Manager, also took the opportunity to highlight the company’s robust policies aimed at ensuring gender equality and providing a safe, supportive work environment for women. He emphasized that Presco has policies in place to protect women from discrimination and sexual harassment, promote reproductive rights, and ensure that pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are supported. These policies reflect the company’s ongoing commitment to creating a gender-balanced workforce where women can thrive in both entry-level and senior managerial roles.
Further reinforcing the company’s dedication to women’s advancement, Agbongiague mentioned Presco’s various initiatives aimed at empowering women economically, supporting girls in leadership roles, and promoting women’s involvement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Presco’s focus on gender inclusivity extends to its infrastructure design, ensuring it meets the needs of women and girls, and its efforts to provide educational and training opportunities, particularly for the girl child in the company’s host communities.
As part of its educational outreach, Presco offers scholarship opportunities that do not discriminate against female students, a policy that underscores the company’s commitment to fostering equal access to quality education. Agbongiague also reiterated that Presco’s involvement in the IWD celebration is part of its broader commitment to inspiring inclusion, advocating for gender equality, and standing against any form of violence, harassment, or discrimination towards women.
Fatima Emeri, the Gender Committee Coordinator at Presco, remarked that this year’s IWD celebration was the fourth edition of the event and noted how it had grown in importance and scale over the years. She highlighted the enthusiasm of the women attending, who felt appreciated and valued by the company’s continued support for gender empowerment.
The event featured vibrant performances, including drama presentations in various local dialects such as Urhobo, Tiv, Akwa Ibom, and Edo. These performances were designed to raise awareness about the importance of empowering women and girls, as well as educating participants on the significance of investing in female education and leadership. The lively atmosphere and active participation from the community underscored the success of the event and Presco’s ongoing dedication to gender equality.
