inBUSINESS Issue 12

AVIATION
DJIBOUTI PILOT BECOMES FIRST AFRICAN
TO FLY SOLO AROUND THE WORLD
Odujinrin completes final leg of his journey to make history with the help of Project
Transcend, a foundation that aims to inspire young people achieve their goals regardless
of their personal circumstances
WASHINGTON DC, 29 MARCH 2017:
A pilot for Air Djibouti has become the first
African pilot in history to fly solo around the
world.
Ademilola "Lola" Odujinrin completed
the final leg of his historic journey this
afternoon, landing safely at Washington Dulles
International Airport.
The pilot has completed the entire
circumnavigation in a Cirrus SR22, stopping
in more than 15 countries on five continents,
returning to Washington DC where his journey
began back in September.
The flight is part of Project Transcend,
a foundation which aims to inspire young
people to achieve their goals regardless of their
personal circumstances.
Says Lola: “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!'
“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.”
Both formed part of a high-level delegation
to welcome the historic aviator on the tarmac
at Dulles Airport, including Mohamed Siad
Doualeh', Ambassador of Djibouti to the
United States, Dawit Michael Gebre-ab, Senior
Director of Strategic Planning for Djibouti
Ports and Free Zones Authority (DPFZA), and
Moussa Houssein and COO of Air Djibouti.
Other distinguished guests included the
CEO of Africa World Press which plans to
publish a book on the journey.
Lola has logged over 4,000 hours as a
commercial Boeing 737 pilot since earning his
pilot licence six years ago.
Says Chairman of Air Djibouti, Aboubaker
Omar Hadi: “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 (SAATM) 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.”
Globally, the aviation industry represents
a massive opportunity for African economies
to play a larger role. It is estimated that 2017
alone will see approximately four billion
airline passengers worldwide as well as over
50 million tonnes of cargo being transported
by air.
[Portland Communications]
www.inbusiness.co.bw | Issue 12 | 2017 31