Blessing Liman, who made history in 2011 as the first female pilot in the Nigerian Air Force, has been drafted as the first female captain in the presidential air fleet.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo revealed this on Thursday via Instagram following an interaction with Liman.
Osinbajo further said that she is now one of two females who fly President Muhammadu Buhari and him.
He said, “This afternoon, I had the pleasure of being flown by Captain Blessing Liman, who shattered the glass ceiling in 2011 making history as the first female pilot in the Nigerian Air Force.
“I had a conversation with Blessing in her cockpit after the flight and I am delighted to note that Blessing is now one of five female pilots in the Nigerian Air Force and one of two that fly the President and I. Blessing is now also the first female captain in the Presidential Air-fleet.”
Commemorating the International Women’s Day observed every March 8, Osinbajo noted that Liman and the five other female pilots are great examples of what is possible when women are provided equal opportunities everywhere.
He added, “Women make up half of our population in Nigeria, but today discriminatory practices and old thinking mean that a significant percentage of half our population, possibly the smarter half(!) is not contributing as much as they can to our national prosperity. We can change that story. Happy International Women’s day.”
