Dayangku Najibah Eradah

Dayangku Najibah Eradah binti Pengiran Ahmad Mahdi Al-Sufri (born 20 May 1983), also known as Brunei’s Polar Girl, is a teacher and environmentalist, who is the first Bruneian to have reached the South Pole.

South Pole expedition

Era and seven other woman, each from a different Commonwealth country, were selected from among over 800 candidates to take part in the Kaspersky Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition, which reached the South Pole on 29 December 2009. Explaining her participation in the expedition, she said: "I am passionate about environmental issues and hope to use my involvement in the expedition to raise awareness in Brunei of global warming and climate change".

Bruneian media described her achievement as "a historic day for Brunei and a momentous day for the Sultanate's women". Saiful Ibrahim, Vice president of the Brunei Adventure Recreation Association, described her as "an icon for all Bruneians, especially for women and our youths". She has become known in Brunei as "the Polar Girl". Bruneian businesswoman Halina Taib stepped in to fund the trip, after there were financial difficulties.

Personal life

Era's father, Pengiran Ahmad Mahdi Al-Sufri, is a distant member of the royal family, while her mother, Pengiran Hajah Basmillah binti Pengiran Haji Abbas, is a diplomat. Additionally, she has an uncle and granduncle who maintain a close relationship with the royal family; respectively they are Pengiran Anak Idris and Pengiran Anak Kemaluddin Al-Haj. Formerly a mathematics teacher in secondary school, Era became a government officer at the Bruneian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Recognitions and awards

* Youth Outstanding Merit (2010)

See also

*Antarctic ice sheet

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Najibah Eradah
1983 births
Bruneian explorers
Bruneian educators
Bruneian women
Living people
Female polar explorers
Bruneian royalty