By Abdul Lauya
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has celebrated one of its most iconic veterans, Group Captain Theodora Oluyinka Pereira (Rtd), as she marked her 90th birthday, hailing her as a trailblazer in military nursing and a living symbol of women’s resilience in uniformed service.
In a statement, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, described Pereira as “an enduring inspiration,” recalling her pioneering role in both the Nigerian Army and the Air Force.
A dual-service veteran, N/258 in the Army and NAF/151F in the Air Force, Pereira carved her name into military history as the first female NAF officer deployed to the war front and the Service’s first Chief Nursing Officer.
Her career, which began in 1962 as a Nursing Officer in the Army, coincided with the turbulent years of Nigeria’s national transformation. Seconded to the Air Force in 1966, she not only treated the wounded during the Civil War but also helped institutionalize medical services within the young Air Force.
Later, as the first female NAF officer at the Command and Staff College, Jaji, she broke barriers in professional military education, reinforcing the credibility of women in command roles.
Pereira retired in 1984, but her influence has outlived her years in uniform. Even in her twilight years, she remains mentally sharp and spirited, drawing admiration from female veterans like Air Commodore HR Garba (Rtd), popularly known as “Aunty Soja.”
Her recognition at 90 is more than a ceremonial nod; it underscores a deeper conversation about the place of women in Nigeria’s armed forces.
In an era where debates around gender inclusivity in security institutions remain prominent, Pereira’s story serves as both a reminder and a challenge, that excellence, courage, and leadership are not confined by gender.
By celebrating her, the Air Force signals continuity with its past while projecting an aspirational future where more women can ascend to positions of influence.
Pereira’s legacy, as the Air Chief noted, “remains an enduring beacon for the People’s Air Force.”
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