International Women’s Day: Director of Engineering and Maintenance at Air Peace.

In line with the international women’s day today, Sunday March 8, Mamaj Aviation blog is celebrating some leading women holding her own in the Aviation industry in Nigeria, whose story will inspire women out there…These are women who are the power behind the scenes, pushing boundaries and leaving a mark!

The International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.  The campaign theme for 2020, is #EachforEqual.

Meet the Director of Engineering and Maintenance at Air Peace.

Please introduce yourself. Your name, where are you from and current position in your organisation.

My name is Engr Maureen Udale-Ameh. I am from Delta State. I work in Air Peace Limited as the Director of Engineering and Maintenance.

What inspired you to venture into this once male dominated Career.

I came into engineering by chance. My sister picked the course of study for me. I also came into Aircraft Maintenance when I got employed in Nigeria Airways Limited after my NYSC. As a person, I love challenges and I took up the challenge of carving a niche for myself in aviation and I cannot imagine me doing anything else now.

Give us a brief career history. What schools did you attend?

I started my career in Nigeria Airways Limited and worked there for eighteen years, where I rose to the rank of an Airline Engineer till the Airline was liquidated .Then I moved to Space World Int. Airlines as a Certifying Engineer for seven months before joining Virgin Nigeria as one of the pioneer team to start the Airline, still, as a Certifying Engineer. Virgin Nigeria became Air Nigeria and I rose to become the Head of Maintenance before it shut down in 2012. Then I was invited to join the startup team for Discovery Airways as the Director of Engineering Services to set up the Engineering Department. After set up, the Airline operated for six months before it shut down in 2015. In 2016, I joined the Air Peace team as the Head of Maintenance and left briefly in 2018 to Execujet as the Maintenance Control Manager. I came back to the Air Peace family in 2019 still as Head of Maintenance and three months later, was promoted to the Director of Maintenance.

I attended St Louis Secondary, Bompai, Kano, then Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna where I studied Mechanical Engineering. Aircraft Maintenance has been a series of courses, on the job trainings and self-improvement.

How many years have you spent in the industry?

I have been in aviation for 35 years.

What is your lowest moment in your Career history?

When Nigeria Airways was liquidated.

What is your most memorable moment?

My most memorable moment was when I first released the A340-600 to service 2007.

How have you been able to balance your work life and family?

My husband and relations have been my support system, thus helping me strike the balance.

What challenges have you encountered on the job and on your journey to the top, especially as female?

As a female, I have had to strive harder to keep myself current and knowledgeable on all that pertains to my career, for I cannot afford to have anyone despise my gender due my ignorance.

What advice do you have for the aspiring young women out there who may want to tow your line?

Stay focused on the reason why you are in the profession and set reasonable and achievable targets for yourself.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

Retired and consulting.