Nigeria’s pioneering female cadet, Owowoh Princess Oluchukwu has marked her graduation from Sandhurst.
She graduated alongside the army’s 135 newest officers, who received congratulations from a senior French officer.
At the distinguished Sovereign’s Parade, Oluchukwu, aged 24, underwent inspection by General d’armee Pierre Schill, the head of the French Army.
MailOnline reports that the Nigerian officer was described as “very happy, very proud” with a “beaming smile” throughout the ceremony.
She was one of the international cadets who traveled to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Camberley, Surrey, to receive leadership training, before they were commissioned into their respective militaries around the world.
Officer Cadet Oluchukwu will now return to serve in the Nigerian military where she is expected to join the intelligence core.
An army representative said, “a lot of the hierarchy from her own forces were there to witness the event. By all accounts, she is a very popular person judging by all of the people who were hugging her.
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“She is very physically powerful and was very intent on wanting to join the Nigerian military. She had a beaming smile all the way through.”
Officer cadets have to pass 44 weeks of intensive training, split into three terms before they can attend the Sovereign’s Parade and receive their commission.
The inspecting officer, who is known as the sovereign’s representative, was the chief of the French army – representing King Charles III.
General Pierre Schill was at the parade to also celebrate the 120th year of the signing of the Anglo-French Entente Cordiale, which marked the beginning of an alliance between the two nations that would endure two world wars.
This year was the 232nd commissioning course.
The Sovereign’s Parade marks the passing out from Sandhurst of Officer Cadets who have completed the Commissioning Course and is the result of many hours of hard work.
Dating back to 1948, it is held three times a year at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
