By: Felix Ikpotor
Schools in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt have benefitted from a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Outreach put together by foremost engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC in celebration of the 2026 International Women’s Day.
The visit to the schools according to the company is part of its broader initiative to promote gender inclusion and youth empowerment through direct engagement with young girls who represent the next generation of professionals and leaders in Nigeria.
In Abuja, two schools benefitted from the outreach programme with bags containing educational materials including other items shared to students of Government Secondary School, Life Camp, Gwarinpa and Government Secondary School, Garki.
During the interactive session at Gwarinpa, representatives of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc shared personal insights and career experiences with the students, encouraging them to dream boldly and pursue ambitions that challenge their abilities.
One of the speakers, Anastasia Okonkwo, Head of Quality Control and Quality Assurance Department noted that truly meaningful dreams often appear intimidating at first, explaining that when a goal seems big enough to cause a little fear, it is often an indication that it has the potential to inspire remarkable achievement. She urged the students not to shy away from ambitious career goals but instead to embrace them with courage and determination.
According to her, success begins with the willingness to imagine possibilities beyond one’s immediate circumstances and to commit to the discipline required to achieve them.
The outreach session further highlighted the importance of preparing early for the future by identifying career interests and seeking opportunities for growth and learning. The speakers encouraged the students to remain focused on their academic pursuits, while also cultivating strong personal values that would guide them throughout their professional journeys.
Through the interaction, representatives of the company reaffirmed their commitment to supporting educational development and empowering young girls to pursue leadership roles across diverse professional sectors.
At the Government Secondary School, Garki, Contract Manager, Julius Berger, Omonigho Brown, a legal professional delivered a motivational talk titled “Your Voice, Your Relevance, and Your Future,” where she encouraged the students to recognize their leadership potential early in life, reminding them that leadership often begins with small responsibilities such as serving as class prefects, head girls, or older siblings within their families.
She also highlighted the importance of allowing one’s voice to be heard, explaining that many women throughout history had to challenge social barriers and prejudices to create opportunities for future generations of girls. Because of these efforts, she noted, “young women today are able to aspire confidently to positions of influence and leadership across different professions.”
Speaking at the Lagos outreach, Civil Engineer, Technical Officer Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, Rasheedat Anifowoshe, encouraged the students to remain focused and confident in their ambitions, especially in fields traditionally perceived as male dominated. She emphasized that determination and proper time management are key to achieving success.
According to her, young girls should never limit themselves when choosing a career path. She noted that although women were once underrepresented in engineering, more women are now excelling in the profession through dedication and persistence.
She assured the students that when they reach the stage of undertaking their Industrial Training (IT/SIWES), Julius Berger Nigeria Plc will be open to receiving and supporting them.
As part of the outreach, the visiting team presented educational and sundry support items to the students as a symbolic gesture of encouragement and support. The gesture, according to the company representatives, reflects the organisation’s commitment to supporting educational development and inspiring young people within the communities where it operates.
