Joel Ele-Ojo Adams has become the first Nigerian and non-British to be commissioned as a Flying Officer in the British Air Force, breaking a 102-year-old jinx of the UK military.
In addition, on Thursday, February 11, Her Majesty, Elizabeth II gave him a highly respected and prestigious honour in United Kingdom for his amazing contributions and research work.
He is also, now a British citizen.
Adams, according to Niger Delta Connect, graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the Niger Delta University, Bayelsa state.
He is the first non-British to be commissioned as an Aero-Systems Specialist Engineer to the rank of a Flying Officer in the British Air Force, since the formation of the British Air Force in 1918.
Posting about the good news on his Facebook wall on Friday, February 5, the first class graduate wrote: “My Sword of honor arrived this evening, in prep for next week!
“By this time next week, I will be receiving of one of the most respected and highly prestigious honours in the land, awarded by Her Majesty, the Queen. This is humbling!
“I was emotional this evening as I reflect on my journey – the humble beginning, the sacrifices, the grace of God, and the accomplishments.
“It is not so much about the accomplishment as it is about where I’m coming from. Boy-o-boy, this barrack pikin has come very far o! Only those of my background will understand.”
“Indeed, I have enjoyed the grace of God (which I always talk about). But also my journey can be, metaphorically, likened to a duck that floats on the waters seemingly effortlessly (…what we see), while she paddles like hell beneath the surface (…what we don’t see).”
Following the completion of his Master’s degree program in Control Systems at the renowned Imperial College London, he kick-started his career at Ford Motors UK as the BOM Lead Project Analyst for Battery Electric Vehicles.
Joel who holds a PhD program in Industrial Systems and Manufacturing Engineering at the prestigious University of Cambridge.
