H5N1 Nigerian Pilot, Ademilola Odujinrin has shared his sense of how he made history every bit the kickoff African to wing unopen to the world.
The earth tour saw the 38-year-old airplane pilot traversed the earth on a unmarried engine aircraft from the USA to Republic of Iceland in addition to then Europe in addition to into Africa via UAE, India, in addition to the Asian subcontinent.
According to Ademilola, he laid himself on the ho-hum journeying to encourage Nigerian in addition to African youths at large to inspire a can-do spirit that volition assist them pursue their dream in addition to never order up. He likewise has the lofty hopes to reshape the perception of Nigeria through keen achievements that defy expectation in addition to to redefine the African narrative.
The solo voyage began inwards June 2016 in addition to flagged-off past times Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi in addition to successfully ended on March 29, 2017, when his aircraft landed at Dulles International Airport, Washington DC.
Tagged Transcend: One Man One Plane One World, the historic peril was sponsored past times Tolaram Group, Translynx Nigeria Ltd in addition to Air Republic of Djibouti alongside back upward in addition to partnership from diverse companies in addition to individuals.
Addressing the media inwards Lagos upon his return, he revealed that the journeying spanned 25 countries across v continents in addition to lasted nine months. He explained farther that although the actual duration of the journeying was 300 hours (six weeks), the journeying was elongated past times weather, technical in addition to fiscal challenges.
Undeterred past times the setbacks, he said: “Some of my biggest motivation was the back upward I got from my squad in addition to prayers from people similar Ooni of Ife. But I volition similar to add together that the fright of failure is 1 of my motivation. I flew a amount of 300 hours in addition to encountered challenges such every bit technical in addition to clearances.”
“Another rattling challenging business office of the journeying was the weather. For instance, I was stuck inwards South Eastern Asia for 2 months due to bad weather,” he added.
The Nigerian airplane pilot recalled how his journeying into flight began. “I was inspired to live a airplane pilot from the historic catamenia of 10. I recollect the habit of making kites out of the paper that my begetter bought until I got myself inwards trouble. When I got the chance to go out of the country, I saw it every bit an chance to larn closer to my dream. I enrolled inwards the preparation every bit a pilot.”
On how he survived, he revealed, “I lived on H2O in addition to position out energy bars simply to avoid nutrient every bit I didn’t accept access to toilets.”
Asked why the projection which has drawn global attending to Nigeria is non backed past times the government or relevant authorities, Ademilola lamented that he was turned down. His words, “I approached the authorities but they didn’t present back upward in addition to I intend this was downwardly to people unopen to the telephone substitution figures. Fundamentally, I intend in that place was the effect of do-ability. I produce non intend they saw me every bit somebody capable of flight unopen to the world.”
In his goodwill message relayed past times video, Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi commended the decision exhibited past times the immature adventurer. “When Ademilola Odujinrin approached me, I blessed him in addition to prayed that he volition larn in addition to supply inwards peace. I am happy alongside his feat in addition to I give cheers the almighty God for his life.