By John Ikani
History has been made in aviation as two Nigerians emerged as the first all-Nigerian cockpit crew to fly an Emirates aeroplane.
Captain Robert Osuhor and Senior First Officer Chijioke Akpu, flew an Emirates airplane as pilot and co-pilot from Dubai, UAE to Toronto, Canada and back to the UAE.
The duo were celebrated on LinkedIn by an aviation analyst Chidozie Uzoezie who added that one of the history-making men, Akpu, had previously worked with Arik Air and RwandAir.
Sharing their photo, he wrote;
”Meet Emirates first all-Nigerian cockpit crew on the Airbus A380 – Captain Robert Osuhor and Senior First Officer Chijioke Akpu. The duo operated the A380 together from Dubai to Toronto and back to Dubai.
“Before joining Emirates, SFO Akpu worked with Arik Air and RwandAir where he flew the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A330. #A380Crew #MadeInNigeria #ProudlyAfrican #EmiratesA380”
LinkedIn users also congratulated the duo in the comment section.
Esiri Madagwa wrote: “Nigerian pilots are amongst the best in the world unfortunately the federal government does not utilized their potential at home to the fullest to even invest in aviation infrastructures hence they are flying foreign airlines.
“Nigerians are the most traveled people in the world, we are everywhere. We don’t even have a national airline to call our own to generate tourist funds and investment in aviation. All foreign trips tickets funds are going to foreign airlines. #proudofnaijapilots.”
Modupeola Magbagbeola said: “Something good will always come out of Nigeria despite all circumstances. To JEHOVAH LORD GOD ALMIGHTY be all the glory. More successful adventures my brother and other Nigerians all over the world in JESUS mighty name.”
Asumani Musubire wrote: “However much people try to misunderstand Africa and Africans in particular, I believe we’re not different from other races, all we need are the right tools and knowledge to do the job just like other races.”
