Adeola Sowemimo, a Nigerian, has become the first female African to work as a pilot for luxury airline, Qatar Airways and fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
Sowemimo, from Ogbomoso, Oyo state, took to her Facebook page to share a throwback photo of herself as a student of US-based Sunrise Aviation Academy in 2011.
“Days of little beginning… God be praised #ihavedominion,” the post read.
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Announcing the news on Twitter, African Facts Zone wrote: “Adeola Ogunmola Sowemimo has become the first Nigerian female Pilot to work for Qatar Airways, and also the first to fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.”
Adeola Ogunmola Sowemimo has become the first Nigerian female Pilot to work for Qatar Airways, and also the first to fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. pic.twitter.com/1jxSbuPk71
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) March 2, 2019
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A wave of positive acknowledgement, praises and congratulatory messages trailed the announcement.
Here are some reactions:
She's written her name in Gold.
Advertisement— Chimaroke Ufomadu (@ufomadu_chima) March 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/LayoofBrent/status/1102145009057447942
For others, Sowemimo’s accomplishment is an inspiration to both young and old.
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My daughter watch this 😬😬😬 no more excuses 😟
— Mister Minister (@KChichika) March 3, 2019
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Excellent! What a man can do, a woman can also do – and do even better.
Advertisement— Moses Zangar, Jr. (@mzangar) March 2, 2019
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Tell them the sky is big to accommodate all the lords and ladies of the sky
— Fullmetal Attack on Titans (@danyphonia) March 2, 2019
It's not about background, color, where you are from…the heights you desire and reach for will not elude you if you believe and set your mind to achieve it. Success beckons, search for opportunities and you will find that they exists.#ProudNaijacitizen
— Non-Viral #weriseagain (@NeatLogisticsNG) March 2, 2019
Congratulations sweet Angel and lovely sister more to your cap ooooo. I wish you all the best and safe flight all through. Amen
— Alagbe Aanu Olusegun (@AlagbeOlusegun) March 3, 2019
Wow! Congratulations to Adeola. Proud of her, keep the flag flying.
— Dr Juliet Emudianugh (@JulietEmudianug) March 2, 2019
Now this is something to marvel over. We'll done!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏@ketsmansere
— Kets25 (@ketsiboy) March 3, 2019
Even though the Middle East is home to some of the world’s biggest and most recognisable airlines like Emirates and Etihad, it’s an extremely challenging region for women hoping to get into the cockpit.
Qatar Airways is one of the first in the region to introduce female pilots with women accounting for 44 percent of the airline’s workforce as at 2018, Akbar Al Baker, its chief executive officer told UK’s The Independent.
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