National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Daniel Ayantoye
As the World marks the International Women’s Day, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has called on Female students not to allow any barrier to stop them from their attainment of Greatness in life.
The Commandant of the Air Force Girls’ Comprehensive School Abuja, Group Captain Hafsat Ali (AFGCS) gave the charge during a Career and Health Talk organized for the Students in Abuja at the weekend.
According to a statement by the Nigerian Air Force Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, Captain Ali encouraged the girls to increase their efforts while in the pursuit of their Career.
Speaking on the essence of the event, She stated that the event is aimed at disclosed that the event is an initiative of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar which is aimed at inspiring the students to break limitations and strive for greatness.
She also said its part NAF’s efforts to foster sustainable support and empowerment of the girl child by supporting and celebrating the outstanding contributions of its female personnel.
She further stated that the event was an avenue for the students to meet some outstanding female personnel in various fields of the NAF such as Pilots, Regiment personnel, Doctors, Engineers, Nurses, Lawyers and others to discuss critical issues in career-selection with a view to preparing them to manage future challenges at home and work. She disclosed that the CAS, who, she said, is a strong advocate of gender inclusion, has opened up opportunities for female personnel in the NAF.
She said this had resulted in the emergence of the first NAF female fixed-wing fighter pilot, Flying Officer Kafayat Sanni, and the first female combat helicopter pilot, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, as well as the first female Air Warrant Officer, Grace Garba, amongst other female “firsts” that had been recorded in the last 5 years.
Earlier in her remarks, the Assistant Director Social Media at the Directorate of Public Relations and Information, Wing Commander Rose Bello, noted that, under the current NAF leadership, there were no limits to what female personnel could aspire to become.
She urged the girls to continue to aspire in order to realize their dreams and make positive impacts in the society, whether they choose a career in the military or not.
In line with the International Women’s Day 2020 Theme: “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights”, the students were however exposed to series of lectures delivered by female personnel in various fields.
These included: “Becoming a Pilot in the NAF: My Experience” by Flying Officer Oluwabunmi Ijelu, a NAF Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) pilot; “Health talk: Your Body and You”, delivered by Flying Officer (Dr) IbIela Amaso and Flight Lieutenant Esther Ajiboye;
Other are: “Choosing a Career: What You Need to Know”, delivered by Flight Lieutenant (Barr) Antonia Egbujiobi. Also present to interact with the students were: Flight Lieutenant Nkemdilim Ofodile, a NAF Aerospace Engineer and Research Fellow who holds a PHD in Control Engineering and Flight Lieutenant Ayooluwa Filani, a NAF Intelligence Officer.
At a similar event in Jos, females have been urged to always seek to be the best at whatever they choose to do.
The Commandant AFGMS, Wing Commander Idowu Gbadebo, urged the Junior Airwomen Women (JAW) to strive to make a positive difference in the society.
The event, which had the Commander 551 NAF Station Jos, Group Captain Yahaya Bashir, in attendance, featured lectures by 2 external resource persons; Mrs Rabi Dauda, who spoke on the topic “Girls’ Mentorship and Boys’ Respect for Women’s Rights” and Mrs Nike Daniels, who spoke on “The Role of the Girl Child”.
Students at both locations, who were visibly excited at the opportunity afforded them, asked a range of questions and interacted freely with the female officers and airwomen as well as the external resource persons.
