MARGARET CHIDERA
Many Nigerians abroad have continued to make the nation proud despite various challenges back home, which sometimes affect the country’s image globally. Virtually all fields of human endeavour have at least one Nigerian breaking records and setting the tone for higher achievement.
These worthy ambassadors brave all odds to rise above criticism, undue scrutiny, suspicion, intimidation, harassment, hatred, stigmatisation, etc.; to still make their mark and establish themselves, becoming success stories no matter what.
Miracle Izuchukwu, a 25-year-old pilot from Agulu, Anambra State, who recently joined the elite group of 7 per cent of females and 1 per cent of black female pilots in the world.
She makes history as youngest black female pilot for commercial airlines in the USA.
It started with telling her parents that she wanted to be a pilot. At first, her parents didn’t support her dream. They didn’t see it as a possibility.
When interviewed she recalled the difficulties she encountered while pursuing her dreams.
She noted that the environment didn’t encourage young girls to dream big.
“I grew up in a society that did not encourage young girls to dream big, career-wise. I remember watching lots of TED Talks to give myself more insights on possible careers that might interest me…to no avail,” said Miracle.
In 2019, she had an encounter with an Airline Pilot while working as a customer service rep. He opened her eyes to the possibility of becoming a Pilot. A few weeks later, she went on a discovery flight that sealed it for her.
“I came home that day, called my father, and told him I was considering becoming a professional Pilot.”
She further narrated her father’s remarks, thus, “If I get on a plane and see a woman as the Pilot, I would get off the plane.”
According to Miracle, words could not explain the pain and confusion she felt because she needed that validation from the father.
Even her mom too was totally against it; her mom is a nurse and wanted her to follow in her footsteps. Her mom felt that to survive in the United States, she needed to be a nurse to put food on the table.
But being a nurse was not her passion. She did not want to be limited to the four walls of the clinic. She wanted to explore her world, so she followed her passion. Today, that passion has paid off.
Miracle’s success story indicates that our dreams are valid if only we are willing to roll up our sleeves, put in the work and follow our passion.
