In the world of military achievements and historic milestones, 24-year-old 2nd Lieutenant Princess Oluchukwu Owowoh has etched her name in the annals of Nigerian military history.
Owowoh has become the first Nigerian female Regular Combatant Army Officer to pass out of and be commissioned at the esteemed Royal Military Academy (RMA) in Sandhurst, United Kingdom.
Her remarkable accomplishment comes as she completes her training as a member of the 70 Regular Course before proceeding to the RMA for rigorous training. Alongside 24 other International Cadets, Owowoh emerged as a second lieutenant with honors, receiving recognition for her exceptional performance during her tenure at the RMA.
Major-General John Ochia, Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), hailed Owowoh’s exceptional gallantry, emphasizing the historic significance of her achievement. He noted that Owowoh’s stellar performance stands out among cadets from various nations who undergo training at the prestigious institution.
“If she was male, we would have left it at that but because she is a female we tested her, and she came first in academics, even in the physical training, she went through a tough process until her male colleagues even noticed that we do not have to go further.”
In a profession traditionally dominated by men, Owowoh’s graduation from the RMA holds profound significance. The RMA, renowned for its excellence in military training, stands as one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions for shaping officers in the armed forces of Commonwealth nations and the UK.
“The significance of Owowoh’s case is that, in the cause of the training, we selected the best; she surpassed the record of over 200 male cadet officers, when we did the selection, she came first and we doubted her.”
General Ochia underscored Owowoh’s exceptional performance, highlighting her surpassing of over 200 male cadet officers during the selection process. He emphasized that gender was not a factor in the rigorous training at the RMA, where all cadets undergo identical training without concessions.
Meanwhile, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, hailed Owowoh as a beacon of inspiration for Nigerian youth. In a statement, Senator Tinubu commended Owowoh’s determination and resilience, noting her groundbreaking achievement in a traditionally male-dominated field.
“Your determination and resilience are quite remarkable, and you are an inspiration to the youth of this country. As a woman, the first who has made a mark in a male-dominated field, I salute you. You have the entire world ahead of you,” she said in a statement by her senior special adviser on media.
As a practical demonstration of celebration, Senator Tinubu called upon dignitaries, including the wives of government officials and members of the Armed Forces, to give a standing ovation to 2nd Lt Owowoh, acknowledging her historic accomplishment.
