Itunu Hotonu Explained

Rear Admiral Itunu Hotonu (born 18 January 1959) is a Nigerian naval officer[1] [2] and architect.[3] [4] One of the first women officers[5] and amongst the first architects in the Nigerian Navy, she has served as a staff college instructor and abroad in Liberia. In December 2012 she became the first female admiral in Africa.

Career

Itunu Hotonu was born (as Itunu Tomori) on 18 January 1959.[6] By the age of 13 she decided that she wanted to become an architect.[7] Hotonu studied architecture at the University of Nigeria, where she was often the only woman in her classes.[8] [6] After graduating she worked in an architect's office for two years whilst she took her professional examinations.[6]

Hotonu applied to join the Engineering Corps of the Nigerian Army but was told there were no positions for women in that field.[9] She then applied to the Navy, which did not have gender restrictions.[6] She was accepted as an officer candidate at the National Defence Academy, Abuja, in 1985.[6] [10] She was the first woman to attend the academy and graduated as best overall student in her class of 73.[10] She won the Commander-in-Chief's Prize and also the Commandant's Prize for best research project.[6] Hotonu became one of the first architects to join the Nigerian Navy.[6]

Hotonu was the first female officer to serve as an instructor at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji.[11] [6] [12] In 2012 she spent time in Liberia mentoring women in that country's armed forces.[10] She was promoted to the rank of rear admiral in December 2012, becoming the first female admiral in Africa.[10] [13] [14]

Personal life

Hotonu is married to architect Abayomi Hotonu with whom she has three children.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ambode's wife, others laud 50 years of women's contributions to Lagos. 2017-05-19. Daily Times Nigeria. en-GB. 2020-05-03.
  2. Web site: Lagos @ 50: Making heroine of the girl-child New Telegraph Online New Telegraph. Editor. Online. New Telegraph. en-US. 2020-05-03.
  3. Web site: NIA advised to train, mentor aspiring female architects. Punch Newspapers. 18 March 2018 . en-US. 2020-05-03.
  4. Web site: Female Architects Seek Role In Decision-Making Process, Leadership. Nkasiobi. Oluikpe. Independent News.
  5. Web site: THE ROLE OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN PEACE INITIATIVES IN NIGERIA. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20180219045137/http://www.nsrp-nigeria.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Women-Peace-and-Security-Study.pdf. 2018-02-19.
  6. News: FIRST WOMEN: First Nigerian Woman To Become A Rear Admiral In the Nigerian Navy. 30 November 2017. Woman Nigeria. 21 September 2016. 11 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190311173849/http://woman.ng/2016/09/first-women-first-nigerian-woman-to-become-a-rear-admiral-in-the-nigerian-navy. dead.
  7. Web site: Itunu Hotonu . 2024-09-07 . Heels of Influence . en-US.
  8. Web site: Women who want to break boundaries must be ethical —Rear Admiral Itunu Hotonu » Features » Tribune Online. 2016-12-25. Tribune Online. en-GB. 2020-05-03.
  9. Web site: Aisha Buhari Calls for Eradication of Gender Bias in Military. editor. 2019-09-13. THISDAYLIVE. en-US. 2020-05-03.
  10. News: 'If I die, I DIE!' . 29 November 2017. The Nation Nigeria. 6 May 2017.
  11. Web site: How to achieve gender balance — Hotonu - P.M. News. www.pmnewsnigeria.com. 2020-05-03.
  12. Web site: Hotonu advises women on leadership. Punch Newspapers. 27 December 2016 . en-US. 2020-05-03.
  13. Web site: Most Senior Female Military Officer Speaks On Gender Issues In Military. Channels Television. 2020-05-03.
  14. Web site: Adenike Osofisan Deserves National Honour – UI VC -. 2019-06-10. The NEWS. 2020-05-03.

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