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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 International Women’s Day 2023, is #DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”.
1. Please introduce yourself, your name, where are you from?
My name is Nkechi Onyeukwu Onyenso. I am from the Eastern part of Nigeria.
2. Give us a brief career history. What schools did you attend?
I attended Queens College Yaba, Lagos, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, to study law. I hold a Master of Laws from Queen Mary’s University of London. I have worked in broadcasting, law, administration and of course aviation for over 2 decades.
3. What is your most memorable Career moment?
I have two memorable career moments: When I was appointed the First Female Registrar/CEO of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria. When I was appointed the MD/CEO of Pathfinders International Limited. Again, I am the first woman to hold this position.
4. Pathfinders international is a multi-national company. As the CEO, you wear many caps. How do you cope with the demands of the different roles? What strategy have you adopted to help you
cope?
Yes, Pathfinders is a multinational company with about 800 staff in all her locations spread across 4 countries in West Africa at the moment, so that’s a lot of human resources to manage as well as the fact that this field is largely a male dominated field so it doesn’t get any easier (laughs).
I am a religious lady and I draw a lot of strength from my creator. Over the years, I have learnt to manage my time. Indeed, time is gold. Pay attention to other important things too like mental health, Spirituality, family and physical health. I also have a strong support base of family and friends.
5. What challenges have you encountered on the job and on your journey to the top, especially as a woman?
Some people expecting less from you because you are female and having to prove myself twice as hard because I am a woman. But that’s all okay, what doesn’t break you makes you, so we move!
6. Do you enjoy what you do? How have you been able to balance work life and family?
I am the kind of person that must love what I do or I don’t do it at all. I can get bored easily but this job is ever revolving so you cannot get bored. The privilege of travelling, learning, meeting people and contributing one’s quota to aviation security development is the cherry on top!
7. What advice do you have for the young women out there?
Don’t be afraid, believe in yourself. You can do it!
8. Where do you see yourself in the next few years?
Discovering how aviation security works in more countries!
9. With reference to this year’s campaign theme, what is your opinion about “DigitALL: Innovation
and technology for gender equality” How can you relate this to Aviation?
Aviation in Nigeria needs to be more digital in the first place. It would be nice to have a number of women
on board to pioneer this, including MamaJ!
