The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) made history on Tuesday 15 October 2019, with the decoration of the first female fighter pilot, Flying Officer Kafayat Sanni, and first female combat helicopter pilot, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, with their pilot wings.
NAF in the statement released by Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola on Tuesday, stated that the two first female fighter NAF pilots were decorated alongside 11 other young officers after successful completion of their flying training courses.
“With today’s ceremony, the NAF has successfully winged over 100 pilots in the last 4 years, who are now adding impetus to the fight against insurgency and other internal security operations in the country” he said.
Stating further, he said during the ceremony, the NAF also decorated the first female Air Warrant Officer (AWO) in the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Grace Garba, with her new rank. AWO Garba was promoted to the highest rank in the Non-Commissioned Officers’ cadre for her exceptional hard work and contributions to the Service over the years.
Speaking at the event, the Special Guest of Honor (SGOH), the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Dame Pauline Tallen, noted that the winging of the first female fighter pilot and first female combat helicopter pilot produced by the NAF, is a commendable feat.
She added that the event attests to the laudable achievements and transformation taking place in the NAF and indeed portrays the Service in good light. She affirmed that the NAF is a gender friendly institution which has continually strived to provide equal opportunity for both male and female personnel, adding that this would, no doubt, encourage all personnel to strive to achieve excellence in their career.
She remarked that it was obvious that the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) has provided the right leadership and guidance to ensure the realization of the primary key driver of his Vision, which is hinged on human capacity development. “We are indeed proud of the milestones attained by the NAF and the achievements of the Chief of the Air Staff,” she added.
According to her, the winging of the pilots is a demonstration of the preparedness of the NAF towards meeting Nigeria’s national security needs.