Michael Ejercito
2024-04-14 16:54:48 UTC
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13301437/First-female-cadet-Nigeria-graduates-Sandhurst.html
First female cadet from Nigeria graduates from Sandhurst as army's 135
newest officers are congratulated by French senior officer
Owowoh Princess Oluchukwu, 24, was congratulated by General Pierre Schill
By CAMERON ROY
PUBLISHED: 11:36 EDT, 12 April 2024 | UPDATED: 05:22 EDT, 13 April 2024
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The first female cadet from Nigeria has graduated from Sandhurst as the
army's 135 newest officers were congratulated by a senior French officer.
Officer Cadet Owowoh Princess Oluchukwu, 24, was inspected by the head
of the French Army, General d'armee Pierre Schill, at the prestigious
Sovereign's Parade.
The Nigerian officer was described as 'very happy, very proud' with a
'beaming smile' throughout the ceremony.
symbol
00:00
02:24
Read More
She was one of the international cadets who travel to the Royal Military
Academy Sandhurst in Camberley, Surrey, to receive leadership training,
before they are 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 corps.
Officer Cadet Owowoh Princess Oluchukwu, 24, became the first female
cadet from Nigeria to graduate from Sandhurst
+24
View gallery
Officer Cadet Owowoh Princess Oluchukwu, 24, became the first female
cadet from Nigeria to graduate from Sandhurst
The Nigerian officer was described as 'very happy, very proud' with a
'beaming smile' all the way through the ceremony
+24
View gallery
The Nigerian officer was described as 'very happy, very proud' with a
'beaming smile' all the way through the ceremony
Officer Oluchukwu will now return to serve in the Nigerian military
where she is expected to join the intelligence core
+24
View gallery
Officer Oluchukwu will now return to serve in the Nigerian military
where she is expected to join the intelligence core
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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.
'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 are able to 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.
The inspecting officer, who is known as the sovereign's representative,
was the chief of the French army General Pierre Schill - representing
King Charles III
+24
View gallery
The inspecting officer, who is known as the sovereign's representative,
was the chief of the French army General Pierre Schill - representing
King Charles III
Princess Oluchukwu from Nigeria (2R), poses with members of the Nigerian
army and the Nigerian Navy (L), after the Commissioning Course No. 232
Sovereign's Parade
+24
View gallery
Princess Oluchukwu from Nigeria (2R), poses with members of the Nigerian
army and the Nigerian Navy (L), after the Commissioning Course No. 232
Sovereign's Parade
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
+24
View gallery
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
The head of the French army General d'armee Pierre Schill inspects the
135 Officer Cadets commissioning as Army Officers
+24
View gallery
The head of the French army General d'armee Pierre Schill inspects the
135 Officer Cadets commissioning as Army Officers
Dating back to 1948, it is held three times a year at the Royal Military
Academy Sandhurst
+24
View gallery
Dating back to 1948, it is held three times a year at the Royal Military
Academy Sandhurst
Officer cadets have to pass 44 weeks of intensive training, split into
three terms, before they are able to attend the Sovereign's Parade and
receive their commission
+24
View gallery
Officer cadets have to pass 44 weeks of intensive training, split into
three terms, before they are able to attend the Sovereign's Parade and
receive their commission
It is the grandest day in the Sandhurst calendar as friends, family and
VIPs gather before Old College Square to watch the cadets take part in
their final parade.
READ MORE: 'As a father of two Sandhurst alumni, I know they'll be full
of pride': King Charles references Harry and William and says he
'remembers' their own Sovereign's Parade in poignant speech
During the ceremony, the Sword of Honour, the Overseas Sword and the
Queen's Medal are awarded by the Sovereign's Representative to the top
Officer Cadets.
This year the Sword of Honour, awarded to the Officer Cadet deemed to be
the best of the course, was awarded to Junior Officer H W R Webb of The
Parachute Regiment.
The parade traditionally ends with the Adjutant riding his horse up the
steps of Old College as he follows the graduating Officer Cadets through
the Grand Entrance.
While at Sandhurst, cadets undergo rigorous exercises as well as
academic tests.
King Charles attended last year's Sovereign's Parade which was the 200th
anniversary of the event.
His Majesty inspected 171 officer cadets, 26 of them international
cadets from 15 different countries.
In his speech, he said: 'Speaking as a father of two alumni of this
academy who remembers their passing out parades, I know they will be
full of immense pride in witnessing you on parade.'
His Majesty inspecting the 171 officer cadets who graduated from
Sandhurst in April 2023
+24
View gallery
His Majesty inspecting the 171 officer cadets who graduated from
Sandhurst in April 2023
Charles with William and Harry at the Sovereign's Parade on April 12, 2006
+24
View gallery
Charles with William and Harry at the Sovereign's Parade on April 12, 2006
It is the grandest day in the Sandhurst calendar as friends, family and
VIPs gather before Old College Square to watch the cadets take part in
their final parade on April 12, 2024
+24
View gallery
It is the grandest day in the Sandhurst calendar as friends, family and
VIPs gather before Old College Square to watch the cadets take part in
their final parade on April 12, 2024
This year the Sword of Honour, awarded to the Officer Cadet deemed to be
the best of the course, was awarded to Junior Officer HWR Webb
(pictured) of The Parachute Regiment
+24
View gallery
This year the Sword of Honour, awarded to the Officer Cadet deemed to be
the best of the course, was awarded to Junior Officer HWR Webb
(pictured) of The Parachute Regiment
Officer Cadets commissioning as Army Officers prepare in the new College
Square ahead of the Sovereign's Parade at the old college
+24
View gallery
Officer Cadets commissioning as Army Officers prepare in the new College
Square ahead of the Sovereign's Parade at the old college
The head of the French Army, General d'armee Pierre Schill arrives to
inspect the officer cadets
+24
View gallery
The head of the French Army, General d'armee Pierre Schill arrives to
inspect the officer cadets
Charles also attended The Sovereign's Parade in December 2015,
representing his late mother.
Among those in the stands was tennis star Andy Murray's pregnant wife
Kim, who watched as her brother Scott Sears and his fellow officers
paraded passed Charles first in slow then quick time.
Officer Cadet Oluchukwu's commission comes as women officers celebrated
40 years since the first platoon was commission from Sandhurst.
Until 1981, it had been exclusively a male establishment, while the
female officers were trained at the nearby Woman's Royal Army Corps
College (WRAC) in Camberley.
In October that year, the WRAC College was incorporated as the fourth
college of Sandhurst. However, the female officer cadets remained
resident at their own barracks, and were bussed across for joint
lectures and training with their male peers.
After a period of transition, on April 6, 1984, WRAC Course 4 became the
first to pass off the Sovereign's parade alongside their male counterparts.
However, they were not allowed to participate fully, with their role
limited to marching on to the parade square after the male cadets had
finished their drill demonstration.
While at Sandhurst, cadets undergo rigorous exercises as well as
academic tests.
+24
View gallery
While at Sandhurst, cadets undergo rigorous exercises as well as
academic tests.
Officer Cadets commissioning as Army Officers take part in the
Sovereign's Parade
+24
View gallery
Officer Cadets commissioning as Army Officers take part in the
Sovereign's Parade
Officer Cadet Owowoh Princess Oluchukwu (centre), the first Nigerian
female cadet to graduate from Sandhurst
+24
View gallery
Officer Cadet Owowoh Princess Oluchukwu (centre), the first Nigerian
female cadet to graduate from Sandhurst
Officer Cadets commissioning as Army Officers gather in the new College
Square before the parade
+24
View gallery
Officer Cadets commissioning as Army Officers gather in the new College
Square before the parade
The head of the French Army, General d'armee Pierre Schill looks on
before the parade
+24
View gallery
The head of the French Army, General d'armee Pierre Schill looks on
before the parade
Officer Cadets commissioning as Army Officers gather before the parade
+24
View gallery
Officer Cadets commissioning as Army Officers gather before the parade
The soldiers will lead other men and women into battle all over the world
+24
View gallery
The soldiers will lead other men and women into battle all over the world
Officer Cadets pass the statue of Queen Elizabeth II as they make their
way to the Sovereign's Parade
+24
View gallery
Officer Cadets pass the statue of Queen Elizabeth II as they make their
way to the Sovereign's Parade
Officer cadets will commission into both the British Army and many
overseas armies
+24
View gallery
Officer cadets will commission into both the British Army and many
overseas armies
Jo Myers, who was 18 at the time, recalls: 'I was just sitting next to
my Platoon Commander from 1984 and she was describing how she sat in the
seats and was absolutely livid for the whole parade, because she had
fought the fight to get us to be allowed to march on the whole parade
and she lost, as we were only allowed to march on and up the steps and
not march around.
'It feels unimportant now, but it was a big part of what she was
representing, as she was our platoon commander at the time.'
Officer Cadet Emily Brothwood, who was commissioned as part of
Commissioning Course 232, said: 'I met six different women who had
commissioned in 1984 and it was really cool to be able to speak to them
about their experiences and how much better it is for us now, they had
to commission into a women's corps, we can commission wherever we want!'
Ever since, the female role at Sandhurst has continually evolved. The
WRAC was disbanded in the early 1990s, with the remaining members
transferring to Corps of their choice.
The commissioning course was standardised in September 1992, and two
decades later, in January 2015, platoons became mixed.
Speaking to a crowd of gathered women, Major-General Zac Stenning,
Commandant Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, commented: 'At the heart of
what we’re doing is we’re preparing these young women to be combat ready
leaders.
'They are of course in an army now where every avenue and every
capability is open to them now, including close combat, and that’s how
much our Army has progressed and that’s what we’re all very proud to be
part of.
'But of course none of that would been achievable without the
trailblazers that you all are.
'Everything I see as Commandant in our next generation of young leaders,
female and male, tells me that we’re in a very, very strong place.
They’re committed to service and duty to our nation.
'They’ve got the character to inspire the integrity that people will
trust them and perhaps most fundamentally, the respect for others that
no matter what the race, creed or gender, that they know what’s right
and the best outcomes come of them, the best inclusivity.'
First female cadet from Nigeria graduates from Sandhurst as army's 135
newest officers are congratulated by French senior officer
Owowoh Princess Oluchukwu, 24, was congratulated by General Pierre Schill
By CAMERON ROY
PUBLISHED: 11:36 EDT, 12 April 2024 | UPDATED: 05:22 EDT, 13 April 2024
17
shares
3
View comments e-mail
Top
+99Home
3
View comments
The first female cadet from Nigeria has graduated from Sandhurst as the
army's 135 newest officers were congratulated by a senior French officer.
Officer Cadet Owowoh Princess Oluchukwu, 24, was inspected by the head
of the French Army, General d'armee Pierre Schill, at the prestigious
Sovereign's Parade.
The Nigerian officer was described as 'very happy, very proud' with a
'beaming smile' throughout the ceremony.
symbol
00:00
02:24
Read More
She was one of the international cadets who travel to the Royal Military
Academy Sandhurst in Camberley, Surrey, to receive leadership training,
before they are 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 corps.
Officer Cadet Owowoh Princess Oluchukwu, 24, became the first female
cadet from Nigeria to graduate from Sandhurst
+24
View gallery
Officer Cadet Owowoh Princess Oluchukwu, 24, became the first female
cadet from Nigeria to graduate from Sandhurst
The Nigerian officer was described as 'very happy, very proud' with a
'beaming smile' all the way through the ceremony
+24
View gallery
The Nigerian officer was described as 'very happy, very proud' with a
'beaming smile' all the way through the ceremony
Officer Oluchukwu will now return to serve in the Nigerian military
where she is expected to join the intelligence core
+24
View gallery
Officer Oluchukwu will now return to serve in the Nigerian military
where she is expected to join the intelligence core
TRENDING
Teen baseball star Grant Solomon 'had ankles broken by funeral home'
19k viewing now
Even Meghan is let down by the HUMOURLESS TRASH that is Suits
15k viewing now
Unique turmeric supplement could help ease YOUR joint discomfort
3k viewing now
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.
'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 are able to 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.
The inspecting officer, who is known as the sovereign's representative,
was the chief of the French army General Pierre Schill - representing
King Charles III
+24
View gallery
The inspecting officer, who is known as the sovereign's representative,
was the chief of the French army General Pierre Schill - representing
King Charles III
Princess Oluchukwu from Nigeria (2R), poses with members of the Nigerian
army and the Nigerian Navy (L), after the Commissioning Course No. 232
Sovereign's Parade
+24
View gallery
Princess Oluchukwu from Nigeria (2R), poses with members of the Nigerian
army and the Nigerian Navy (L), after the Commissioning Course No. 232
Sovereign's Parade
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
+24
View gallery
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
The head of the French army General d'armee Pierre Schill inspects the
135 Officer Cadets commissioning as Army Officers
+24
View gallery
The head of the French army General d'armee Pierre Schill inspects the
135 Officer Cadets commissioning as Army Officers
Dating back to 1948, it is held three times a year at the Royal Military
Academy Sandhurst
+24
View gallery
Dating back to 1948, it is held three times a year at the Royal Military
Academy Sandhurst
Officer cadets have to pass 44 weeks of intensive training, split into
three terms, before they are able to attend the Sovereign's Parade and
receive their commission
+24
View gallery
Officer cadets have to pass 44 weeks of intensive training, split into
three terms, before they are able to attend the Sovereign's Parade and
receive their commission
It is the grandest day in the Sandhurst calendar as friends, family and
VIPs gather before Old College Square to watch the cadets take part in
their final parade.
READ MORE: 'As a father of two Sandhurst alumni, I know they'll be full
of pride': King Charles references Harry and William and says he
'remembers' their own Sovereign's Parade in poignant speech
During the ceremony, the Sword of Honour, the Overseas Sword and the
Queen's Medal are awarded by the Sovereign's Representative to the top
Officer Cadets.
This year the Sword of Honour, awarded to the Officer Cadet deemed to be
the best of the course, was awarded to Junior Officer H W R Webb of The
Parachute Regiment.
The parade traditionally ends with the Adjutant riding his horse up the
steps of Old College as he follows the graduating Officer Cadets through
the Grand Entrance.
While at Sandhurst, cadets undergo rigorous exercises as well as
academic tests.
King Charles attended last year's Sovereign's Parade which was the 200th
anniversary of the event.
His Majesty inspected 171 officer cadets, 26 of them international
cadets from 15 different countries.
In his speech, he said: 'Speaking as a father of two alumni of this
academy who remembers their passing out parades, I know they will be
full of immense pride in witnessing you on parade.'
His Majesty inspecting the 171 officer cadets who graduated from
Sandhurst in April 2023
+24
View gallery
His Majesty inspecting the 171 officer cadets who graduated from
Sandhurst in April 2023
Charles with William and Harry at the Sovereign's Parade on April 12, 2006
+24
View gallery
Charles with William and Harry at the Sovereign's Parade on April 12, 2006
It is the grandest day in the Sandhurst calendar as friends, family and
VIPs gather before Old College Square to watch the cadets take part in
their final parade on April 12, 2024
+24
View gallery
It is the grandest day in the Sandhurst calendar as friends, family and
VIPs gather before Old College Square to watch the cadets take part in
their final parade on April 12, 2024
This year the Sword of Honour, awarded to the Officer Cadet deemed to be
the best of the course, was awarded to Junior Officer HWR Webb
(pictured) of The Parachute Regiment
+24
View gallery
This year the Sword of Honour, awarded to the Officer Cadet deemed to be
the best of the course, was awarded to Junior Officer HWR Webb
(pictured) of The Parachute Regiment
Officer Cadets commissioning as Army Officers prepare in the new College
Square ahead of the Sovereign's Parade at the old college
+24
View gallery
Officer Cadets commissioning as Army Officers prepare in the new College
Square ahead of the Sovereign's Parade at the old college
The head of the French Army, General d'armee Pierre Schill arrives to
inspect the officer cadets
+24
View gallery
The head of the French Army, General d'armee Pierre Schill arrives to
inspect the officer cadets
Charles also attended The Sovereign's Parade in December 2015,
representing his late mother.
Among those in the stands was tennis star Andy Murray's pregnant wife
Kim, who watched as her brother Scott Sears and his fellow officers
paraded passed Charles first in slow then quick time.
Officer Cadet Oluchukwu's commission comes as women officers celebrated
40 years since the first platoon was commission from Sandhurst.
Until 1981, it had been exclusively a male establishment, while the
female officers were trained at the nearby Woman's Royal Army Corps
College (WRAC) in Camberley.
In October that year, the WRAC College was incorporated as the fourth
college of Sandhurst. However, the female officer cadets remained
resident at their own barracks, and were bussed across for joint
lectures and training with their male peers.
After a period of transition, on April 6, 1984, WRAC Course 4 became the
first to pass off the Sovereign's parade alongside their male counterparts.
However, they were not allowed to participate fully, with their role
limited to marching on to the parade square after the male cadets had
finished their drill demonstration.
While at Sandhurst, cadets undergo rigorous exercises as well as
academic tests.
+24
View gallery
While at Sandhurst, cadets undergo rigorous exercises as well as
academic tests.
Officer Cadets commissioning as Army Officers take part in the
Sovereign's Parade
+24
View gallery
Officer Cadets commissioning as Army Officers take part in the
Sovereign's Parade
Officer Cadet Owowoh Princess Oluchukwu (centre), the first Nigerian
female cadet to graduate from Sandhurst
+24
View gallery
Officer Cadet Owowoh Princess Oluchukwu (centre), the first Nigerian
female cadet to graduate from Sandhurst
Officer Cadets commissioning as Army Officers gather in the new College
Square before the parade
+24
View gallery
Officer Cadets commissioning as Army Officers gather in the new College
Square before the parade
The head of the French Army, General d'armee Pierre Schill looks on
before the parade
+24
View gallery
The head of the French Army, General d'armee Pierre Schill looks on
before the parade
Officer Cadets commissioning as Army Officers gather before the parade
+24
View gallery
Officer Cadets commissioning as Army Officers gather before the parade
The soldiers will lead other men and women into battle all over the world
+24
View gallery
The soldiers will lead other men and women into battle all over the world
Officer Cadets pass the statue of Queen Elizabeth II as they make their
way to the Sovereign's Parade
+24
View gallery
Officer Cadets pass the statue of Queen Elizabeth II as they make their
way to the Sovereign's Parade
Officer cadets will commission into both the British Army and many
overseas armies
+24
View gallery
Officer cadets will commission into both the British Army and many
overseas armies
Jo Myers, who was 18 at the time, recalls: 'I was just sitting next to
my Platoon Commander from 1984 and she was describing how she sat in the
seats and was absolutely livid for the whole parade, because she had
fought the fight to get us to be allowed to march on the whole parade
and she lost, as we were only allowed to march on and up the steps and
not march around.
'It feels unimportant now, but it was a big part of what she was
representing, as she was our platoon commander at the time.'
Officer Cadet Emily Brothwood, who was commissioned as part of
Commissioning Course 232, said: 'I met six different women who had
commissioned in 1984 and it was really cool to be able to speak to them
about their experiences and how much better it is for us now, they had
to commission into a women's corps, we can commission wherever we want!'
Ever since, the female role at Sandhurst has continually evolved. The
WRAC was disbanded in the early 1990s, with the remaining members
transferring to Corps of their choice.
The commissioning course was standardised in September 1992, and two
decades later, in January 2015, platoons became mixed.
Speaking to a crowd of gathered women, Major-General Zac Stenning,
Commandant Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, commented: 'At the heart of
what we’re doing is we’re preparing these young women to be combat ready
leaders.
'They are of course in an army now where every avenue and every
capability is open to them now, including close combat, and that’s how
much our Army has progressed and that’s what we’re all very proud to be
part of.
'But of course none of that would been achievable without the
trailblazers that you all are.
'Everything I see as Commandant in our next generation of young leaders,
female and male, tells me that we’re in a very, very strong place.
They’re committed to service and duty to our nation.
'They’ve got the character to inspire the integrity that people will
trust them and perhaps most fundamentally, the respect for others that
no matter what the race, creed or gender, that they know what’s right
and the best outcomes come of them, the best inclusivity.'