Written By Henry Kester Ewruje
History was made recently in the United States of America, when a 15 year old Nigerian Girl, Kimberly Anyadike broke aviation records to be the first African-American of her age to pilot an aircraft from coast to coast.
She accomplished the feat by flying an aircraft across the US and set a new record by becoming the youngest black female after she landed a Cessna C172 aircraft in Compton, California.
For 13 days, she was on a 2,342 miles flying spree from California on the west coast to Virginia on the east coast and was greeted with fanfare in all the 13 cities she landed. She has by this feat joined the club of women making great strides in the United States.
Since she landed the plane, the American news media like Cable News Network (CNN), Los Angeles Times, CBS and New York Daily News among others have published captivating news stories about her adventure without a mention of her Nigerian background. Kimberly Anyadike is truly a Nigerian from the south eastern part of the country.
Nigerians all over the world are impressed with her uncommon feat. The government of Nigeria should accord her due recognition as a way of encouraging our youths as well as Nigerians in diaspora whose efforts help to promote the country positively.
She began flying at the age of 12, after her parents, Charles and Pamela Anyadike enrolled her at Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum, a flying school and youth mentoring centre in Compton, California. Before than, she had always wanted to fly. The passion remained with her until she joined the school where she received training under an intervention and mentoring programme. There, she had the opportunity to fully realize herself. This opened the way for her to accomplish her life long ambition.
After receiving her flight instructions, she took the challenge to fly an aircraft across the US. She was able to actualize her dream because she found herself in an environment where opportunities abound and personal dreams are allowed to flourish. If she had been in Nigeria, definitely her story could have been different. Most Nigerian youths at home are angry and frustrated, and prepared to emigrate because they find the situation at home too daunting.
Kimberly Anyadike, received inspiration and support from her introduction and study of the rich history of the Tuskegee airmen, a group of black US military pilots who were discriminated against by the US armed forces during World War II on racial grounds. Interestingly, Moor Levi H. Thornhill, aged 87, flew with her across the US. She was also accompanied by Ronnell Norman, a certified commercial pilot.
Prior to the Tuskegee Airmen, there were no US military pilots who were black due to the extreme racism and prejudice that permeated all aspects of society. During several stops on her flight, Kimberly met the surviving members of the elite class of black servicemen and several autographed the airplane.
There are many Kimberly Anyadike in Nigeria who do not have the opportunity to express their potentials to the fullest. In Nigeria, creativity is rarely recognized or supported. But Kimberly’s accomplishment is a challenge to Nigeria’s most unconducive environment for youth development.
Nigeria must strive to provide opportunities for the country’s youths for without such investment and commitment, the country’s future is compromised. The youths must be included in the national planning and development agenda.
Kimberly Anyadike wants to continue flying as a private pilot. She loves science and one day hopes to become a cardiovascular surgeon.
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
