As part of activities to mark the World Air Traffic Controllers Day, celebrated globally on October 20, Nigeria made history by having an all female Air Traffic Control (ATC) Crew taking charge of all its control units nationwide including Area, Approach and Terminal Control.
The initiative was the brain child of senior female Controllers, with the first female Controller in Nigeria, Mrs. Hauwa Danboyi, taking it up to get management approval.
DGM, Air Traffic Management (ATM), Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mrs. Kate Nnanna-Ibemgbo, chaired the Planning Committee which made the epoch-making event a reality.
The event was to promote inclusion and diversity in the ATC profession, as well as celebrate women working in the profession.
Mrs. Nnanna-Ibemgbo said: “We thought to come together and pool our individual strengths to achieve a collective strength and do what we know would project the core values of ATC in Nigeria. We also thought to show the inclusion in our profession. So there is synergy between the male and the female counterparts
“So today it is an all female crew across the country simultaneously to show our unity in action. We thought it wise to come together and do something that would show the trajectory of how things happen in other climes.”
DGM, Technical Evaluation and Manpower Development (NAMA), Mrs. Doris Ekeada, said: “This day makes me very proud because when I joined ATC in 1998, we were six, but now we are almost 50. So I am very proud that we have enough ladies to take charge of all the positions across the country today. It shows that what a man can do, a woman can also do.
“ATC is a male dominated profession and because of all the challenges involved and the stress. And so we need to celebrate ourselves for thriving in this profession despite the other many responsibilities we have.
“I will tell the upcoming generation that there is nothing they cannot accomplish, the sky is just the beginning. ATC is a proud and great profession.”
A First Officer with Air Peace, Mrs. Atinuke Stanley-Kafu, spoke on the uniqueness of this important milestone. “It just means that times are changing and it is very inspiring for me. Even on normal days when one or two ladies are on the radio, it’s very respectful to hear another woman on the other side doing her thing and doing it excellently well. And I think this is an opportunity for other women who are coming into the aviation industry to be inspired as I have been inspired by other women who were there before me. This is an amazing day for all of us,” she enthused.
The celebrations ended on a high note with the ladies encouraging each other to gear up for bigger responsibilities with a commitment to keep inspiring the next generation of ladies and girls not just in aviation, but across other professions.