ADemilola Odujinrin, a Nigerian pilot working for Air Djibouti, has just recorded a feat of being the first ever pilot of African origin to fly the world on a solo trip.
Ademilola completed his journey, which began last September, at the Washington Dulles International Airport, where he began his flight.
The flight took him through more than 15 countries across five continents on a Cirrus SR22.
Odujinrin’s flight is part of the Project Transcend, a foundation that inspires young people to achieve their goals in the face of daunting challenges.
“Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of one day flying around the world. We have a responsibility to lead by example and follow our dreams. I want African children to think: ‘I can do this too!’,” Odujinrin said.
He said his dream would not have been possible without the support of the chairman of his organisation and a few other persons who were on hand to welcome him at Dulles Airport as he made the final landing on his historic flight.
“I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Air Djibouti’s Chairman, Aboubaker Omar Hadi, and Cardiff Aviation’s Chairman, Bruce Dickinson, who have supported me throughout this journey. Without them, this would not have been possible.”
Odujinrin got his license as a pilot six years ago and has since logged in over four thousand hours as a commercial pilot on Boeing 737.
Aboubaker Omar Hadi, Chairman of Air Djibouti, said: “By supporting initiatives like Lola’s flight around the world, Air Djibouti hopes to inspire a new generation of pilots in Africa and help to pave the way for the aviation industry to thrive in the region.
“The benefits will be felt within the region, as this will encourage more intra-African trade and sustainable economic development.
“With the commencement of the Single African Air Transport Market set for June 2017, air travel in the continent is positioned to grow rapidly and become a key contributor to the region’s economic and social development.”