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Atinuke Adaihuoma Stanley-Pepple (Nee Dawodu) is a Lawyer and Pilot. Interestingly, she comes from a family of pilots as her father, brother and sister are all Pilots. She developed an interest in the Air Force in her fourth year at Igbinedion University, Edo State, Nigeria when Air Vice Marshall Paul Dike was invited to speak at the university’s convocation ceremony. After listening to him speak, she called her dad and informed him that she wanted join Nigeria’s Air Force. The rest as they say is history.
Atinuke actively practiced law before joining the aviation industry as a Pilot and based on her love for both professions, she is always open to opportunities in both fields. In her own words, “I love them both. They are inherent in my nature. They both allow me to be the woman I am, and I love the diversity. I love what both professions do for me. I have been challenged positively by both professions, but I will say Aviation challenged me the most.”
When asked how her life has been changed by both professions, Atinuke says “They have changed my life and forced me to grow, to reach into strengths even I didn’t know I had. Aviation made me come out of my shell and be more assertive as it is a male dominated profession. I read like never before. I had to dig and think big. My people, social and problem-solving skills improved. I became more creative and because I want to be the best and stand out wherever I am; in a profession with excellent people, I definitely had to work really hard to distinguish myself. I am definitely stronger and better now because it forced me to dig deeper and grow.”
If she could start all over again, Atinuke says she will still choose both professions – in the same order and won’t change anything. For Atinuke, the best thing about being a Pilot is taking off and landing her planes, cruising the skies, the serenity, the view and the peace that comes with it. The prestige of the profession, the uniform and speaking to her passengers. “I love my passengers especially when I fly my friends or family. It’s a very rewarding feeling second to none.” For her, the best thing about being a lawyer is “the sense of justice, equity and fairness that the profession allows me to exercise by defending people especially those who can’t defend themselves. It is very rewarding. It is also a prestigious career and of course the dress code – makes you look really sharp. I love dressing up and looking smart.”
On her greatest achievement, Atinuke says “I honestly don’t think anything I have achieved is great so to say, not to diminish what I have achieved for sure but because I am constantly growing and want to keep doing more. Also, because it’s not by my power but by God’s grace and because I keep pushing for more. I would ordinarily say becoming a Lawyer, getting called to the Nigerian Bar Association and becoming an Airline Pilot; however, I am always expanding the vision and growing.”
Atinuke’s ultimate goal is to achieve global youth impact that stands the test of time and generations to come. To become an authority in both industries and help young people realise what they can achieve without compromising. She also hopes to join and fly for international airlines commercially.
Her advice for people who want to study and still follow other passions and interests is “Diversity is key. Remember the parable of the servants with talents. Use all your talents and gifts. Diversify and find ways to merge all and make them profitable. Your diversity is your uniqueness and selling point in the marketplace. Dust all your certificates and stay current in all fields as much as you can, but make sure you find ways to make them profitable.”
