Air Peace’s Historic All Female Flight

 

 

 

Nigeria’s aviation industry recorded another feat last Thursday when Air Peace operated first all-female flights from Lagos to Abuja, Owerri, Imo state and back to Lagos. Hundreds of airline passengers, government officials and aviation regulators celebrated the first all-female crew comprising Capt. Sinmisola Ajibola, Senior First Officer Quincy Owen, SEP Instructor Rosemary Uagbor, Cabin Executive Chidimma Chimezie and Cabin Executive Opakirite George.

The all-female flight, which took off from Lagos, was operated days after Air Peace produced its first female Captain, Sinmisola Ajibola.

The flights, the airline said, were in honour of Sinmisola and to promote gender equality in the nation’s aviation industry and project Nigerian women as capable of standing tall among both their male and female counterparts across the world.

The Boeing B737-300 aircraft with Captain Simisola in command and co-piloted by Senior First Officer Quincy landed in Abuja at 3:29 p.m. to a spectacular water salute performed by men of the Fire Service Department of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and a rousing welcome by passengers, government officials, aviation regulators and other well-wishers.

From Abuja, the aircraft flew into Owerri and touched down at 6.00 p.m., receiving another plume of water salute and warm welcome from passengers, airport workers and well-wishers.

Others involved in the operations were B1 Engineer, Justina Etim, who signed out the aircraft in Lagos and dispatchers Chisom Onyeakposi and Olubukola Olajiga. Ladi Amadu and Loretta Ekeh dispatched the flight in Abuja and Owerri respectively.

Speaking at a brief welcome ceremony for the flight crew in Abuja, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema, said over 20 key positions in the airline, including those of the vice chairman, chief operating officer and chief of finance and administration, were occupied by women whom he insisted had demonstrated excellent capacity to deliver on their tasks.

The airline, he said, had employed about 2,000 workers since it commenced operations almost four years ago. About 1,500 of the employees, he said, were women.

“Air Peace is an airline run by women. We are very proud of giving women opportunities to excel because we believe that there is nothing that men can do women cannot do.

We want to encourage our female children that they should aspire to be whatever they want to be by emulating what our female flight and cabin crew members have done today,’’ Onyema said.

Article Credits to The Guardian

Agbada: What you may not know

Agbada is one of the names used to describe a flowing wide sleeved robe worn by men (and more recently women) in much of West Africa, and to a lesser extent in North Africa. It is a close relative of the equally popular and trendy dashiki.

Its origin dates far back as the 8th century Takrur and Ghana Empire wherein it was the “a la mode” clothing worn by the Islamic Tukulor, Mandé and Songhai peoples. It was also observed in the 13th century Mali and Songhai Empires.

It is worth mentioning that the agbada is not exclusive to the Yorubas as is popularly thought, as it is being found in other parts of Africa as well. It is known as “mbubb” among the Senegambia, and as “riga” among the Hausas and Fulanis of the West African Savannah.

Agbada in 1902.

 

By the early nineteenth century, the attire had been adopted by many non-muslims in sub-Saharan Africa, most especially kings, chiefs, and elites, who not only modified it to reflect local dress aesthetics, but also replaced the turban with indigenous head gears. The bigger the robe and the more elaborate its embroidery, the higher the prestige and authority associated with it.

A northerner putting on agbada (riga).

 

The former Nigerian president rocking the agbada style in the 90’s and in recent times.

 

Since the beginning of the twentieth century, new materials such as brocade, damask, and velvet have been used for the agbada. The traditional design, along with the embroidery, is being modernized.

   

Recent abgada styles of 2018

The Nigerian women also know how to rock the agbada style

Ever since its evolution till date, “AGBADA” has remained a mainstay in the “what’s trending” African fashion world.

NIMC-ID 4 AFRICA

A few weeks back we had a delightful time with awesome delegates from all over Africa……Let me back up a bit. Not too long ago, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) hosted the 4th annual meeting for the ID4Africa initiative. This event attracted a whole lots of delegates from the whole of Africa. I tell you, it was a huge event.

So where did we come in? you ask.

We thought to ourselves “It is written, it is not right to have all these delegates, who are possibly visiting Abuja for the 1st time, just come for the conference and leave like that. Blessed are those who seize the opportunity to show them around”. Immediately, we worked with the very supportive NIMC and swooped in to do what we do best: “give visitors, tourists and even residents of the Federal Capital Territory a rich fusion of the sights, taste and experience the city has to offer”.

After each conference, our tour buses were filled with delegates eager to explore the city never minding the hours of lectures and other serious stuff they just had. After all, “all work and no play makes jack a dull boy”. We toured the city with our awesome delegates and believe you me, they had a splendid time. See for yourself J

NAFIL

On this episode of ExperienceNaija, we had some Turkish delegates visit Abuja and guess who showed up…Okay, Okay; don’t guess, the answer is quite obvious. We did. We gave them, in their words, a delightful experience. We took them to the National Mosque and Church amongst other monuments; and boy you should see how their eyes lit up when they tasted our jollof rice made with fire wood. Trust me, they, for the 1st time, experienced that “bottom pot” taste. Right now, I remember them saying “Cok guzel” meaning “very good”. One even asked for another plate. Please, let me not spoil it for you, see for yourself and know that this could be you.

Sister Sister Fun with ExperienceNaija

 

Sister, Sister fun with ExperienceNaija.

What better way exists to welcome your sister who came to visit you to Abuja asides our ExperienceNaija tour package? Don’t worry, we can wait……

Last year we had one of our clients book our ExperienceNaija special package. Her sister, who is new to Abuja, came to visit her and her family, and was going to be around for a little while. She wanted to show her sister the best experience this town had to offer but she could not take her to all the right places in Abuja, as she did not go out much herself. Plus, there is always the factor of time; her sister was only around for 3days and only had one free day for such. She heard about us and thought to give us a try. Boy! she sure did make the right decision.

We customized a package for her and her sister tailored to her desires while, of course, still making the venues to be visited our little secret. She executed her time and reservation rights, and we happily obliged.We toured up to 10 top spots in Abuja. We treated them to an outdoor dining session which was part of our 5-course cuisine standard package. We also toured various monumental sites while also visiting the trendy venues that make this modern day city Abuja what it is today. We went bread tasting and organized surprise entertaining activities for them along the way (we like to call our surprise activities “Effizy”). The best part was that all of this was in one day.

Our client’s sister got the fun, orientation, taste and experience that Abuja has to offer in the most awesome way ever. And a little bird told us that after that day, it was a struggle getting our client’s sister to leave Abuja. lol. Who can blame her?

Watch the video above and see what we mean. Oh, and while you do so, we are still waiting for your answer. What better way exists to welcome your sister who came to visit you to Abuja asides our ExperienceNaija tour package?……

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