Princess Owowoh, first Nigerian female officer to graduate from the prestigious Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, UK.
By Mark Longyen
A young Nigerian Airforce Officer, Princess Owowoh, has become the first-ever Nigerian female officer to graduate from the UK’s Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst (RMAS).
This is contained in a statement issued by Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, Senior Communications and Public Diplomacy Officer, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, British High Commission, made available to Periscope International on Friday in Abuja.
She said that the 24-year-old Princess, who had earlier graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) with a first class degree in biological sciences, was one of the 135 Officer Cadets to graduate during RMAS’ Sovereign’s Parade in London on Friday.
“Officer Cadet Owowoh Princess Oluchukwu, became the first-ever Nigerian female officer to graduate from the UK’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS).
“24-year-old Princess was one of the 135 Officer Cadets to graduate during RMAS’ Sovereign’s Parade today in London.
“The parade marked the completion of 44 weeks of intensive training for the Officer Cadets of Commissioning Course 232,” she said.
The High Commission’s spokesperson said that British Monarch, King Charles of England, was represented by the head of the French Army, Général d’armée Pierre SchilI, Chief of the Army Staff.
She recalled that since the 1950s, several Nigerian officers including former Nigerian military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye had become RMAS alumni.
“Princess’ graduation as the first female and 190th Nigerian graduate, marks a significant milestone in UK’s long-standing commitment to supporting Nigeria’s Professional Military Education training.
“This commitment to close UK-Nigerian cooperation was affirmed during the recent UK- Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership talks held in February 2024.
“In 2018, Princess joined the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), in Kaduna State, Nigeria. During her second year at the NDA, she was appointed a Cadet Lance Corporal; a Cadet Sergeant in her fourth year and in her fifth year she was appointed to the role of Company Senior Under Officer Charlie (CSUO C).
“She held this appointment with two other female counterparts and made history as the first females to assume the position of CSUO in the academy. In her fourth year, she completed the Academics Wing of the commissioning course and achieved first class honours in Biological Sciences,” Atinuke Akande-Alegbe said.
She said that the UK was proud to celebrate the historic occasion with Nigeria and congratulated Princess on her remarkable achievement.
The statement quoted the newly commissioned prestigious Sandhurst graduate officer as acknowledging the support of her family and others who helped her achieve success and pledged to make a difference in the world.
“It is a profound honour to be the first Nigerian female officer to commission from the esteemed Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
“This achievement is not mine alone, but a testament to the unwavering support of my family, mentors, instructors, and countless individuals who believed in me every step of the way.
“As I look ahead to the future, I am committed to representing Nigeria with pride, and to making a positive difference in the world,” she was quoted as saying.
