Women in Logistics and Transport (WILAT) – the women wing of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) – is set to host the first ever Women in Logistics and Transport Day at Abuja next Thursday.
Chairperson of WILAT Nigeria, Hajiya Aisha Ali-Ibrahim, said that the Women in Logistics and Transport Day celebration was borne out of the need to encourage women in the logistics and transport industry to fully participate in all activities of the sector.
She said that several female dignitaries, including Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah; Minister for Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Maina; former Minister of Transport, as well as former Minister of Aviation, and current People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Women Leader, Dr. Kema Chikwe; and Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) Princess (Dr.) Vicky Haastrup are among dignitaries that will grace the occasion.
Ali-Ibrahim, who doubles as the Traffic Manager of Tin-Can Island Port Complex (TCIPC), said: “WILAT has taken the initiative to identify and give professional support to all female professionals working in and retired from all the modes of transport (i.e. road, rail, maritime & air), logistics and related industries. It serves as the professional female voice in the industry and recommends gender policies in transport to government, in addition to its community services like the distribution of wheel chairs, baby carriers, and awareness programs of safety precaution in transport.”
She said that the Women in Logistics and Transport Day is in line with WILAT’s aim of sourcing, grooming and sustaining competent female members through career progression “so as to be able to fill up available existing gaps and opportunities in the industry.”
She said: “Though we are discussing issues relating to professional women in our profession, our male counterparts have also been invited as it is not our intention to shut them out.
“The day as designed is a special purpose vehicle that provides an enabling platform for the recognition and appreciation of the achievements and contributions made by professional men and women in the various sectors of the industry. It is also an avenue to build on the strength and image of the group/institute through networking. The event aims to provide a holistic approach to addressing the challenges faced by women in the various sectors of the industry.
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