Flour Mills Nigeria pledges continuous equal opportunities for women

Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc (FMN) has pledged to continue to create equal opportunities for women and to always hold their achievements high.

This follows the progress that the FMN Women’s Network has made in the areas of creating awareness, identifying issues and challenges.

Other areas include showing the vision and creating the road map and establishing measures of performance along with that road map.

“We must continue to all do our parts as there is much that remains to be done,” John Coumantaros, the chairman said at the International Women’s Day (IWD) commemorative event held recently in a virtual event.

Globally, March 8 is recognized as Women’s day, but Coumantaros said one day is not nearly enough to recognize and celebrate the achievement of women.

“This should be top of mind, Every day. In line with this year’s theme, ChooseToChallenge, I pledge to continue to create equal opportunities for women and to always hold your achievements high,” he said.

He noted that in September 2020, the company improved the composition of its Board structure with the appointment of Juliet Anamah as a Non-Executive Director.

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“Juliet who is an accomplished businesswoman with vast experience in the consumer product industry is a worthy addition to the board and like Dr Salamatu Suleiman, a superb role model for our women,” he said.

Coumantaros thanked Dr Suleiman for her magnanimity and inspired leadership of the Amazons and the FMN Women’s Network. “And now, with Juliet also coming on board, I know we will continue to see plenty more accomplishments for our women. So, I encourage you, ladies, to take full advantage of the opportunities that the Women’s Network offers,” he said.

Furthermore, he said, “As I trust you are aware, your GMD is a staunch advocate for women – Boye and I have had many conversations on what needs to be done and we are exploring several ideas that will be made known to you in due course. Be rest assured that he has the full support of the Board and that FMN remains committed to the development of the enabling structures that will ensure that you have the opportunity to achieve your career aspirations in an environment in which women can thrive”.

Speaking at the event, Boyede Olusanya, group managing director/CEO, FMN, said the women’s day should not be restricted to one day but a continuous day of celebrating women. He admitted that empowering women allows for the significant growth of the economy.

New sponsors for the FMN Women’s Network were unveiled at the event. They include Juliet Anammah, FMN Board member and group chairperson Jumia Group, and Olori Elizabeth Ajibola, managing director Olive Nigeria Limited.

Anammah, who has over 28 years of professional experience in consumer goods sales and marketing, accepted the offer while noting that she works hard to ensure that women are represented in FMN.

Ajibola said, “I am so honoured to be invited to join the FMN Women’s Network. Women have a great capacity to contribute to the growth of an organisation and economy. I gladly accept the invitation to serve as a mentor”.

During the panel session, Captain Marvin Abe, managing director, Apapa Bulk Terminal Limited said the company can set up a crèche for FMN women who want to keep their babies while at work. He said the company is working on logistics to get that done.

Other speakers who spoke at the event on ‘Breaking Through the Barriers to Corporate Inclusion’, include Salamatu Suleiman, FMN board member, and lead mentor, FMN Amazons, Yimika Adeboye, cluster director WA, Mondelez International, managing director, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, and Mira Mehta, founder and CEO, Tomato Jos.