Eighteen-year-old Favour Felix Chinecherem from Enugu State has emerged winner of the 2026 Southeast Aviation Summit/Eastwing Youth Competition, securing a scholarship to study Aircraft Maintenance Engineering at Eastwing Aviation Institute.
Chinecherem emerged from a stiff competition involving more than 50 young people from different parts of the Southeast at the SASEYC 2.0 grand finale held on Saturday, 3rd October, at Bon Hotel Platinum, Enugu.
The moment her name was announced as the winner was one of the emotional highlights of the event, as the young girl broke down in tears while receiving recognition for her achievement.
Chinecherem, who said she had dreamed of pursuing a career in aviation since she was 10, spoke about the fear and uncertainty she experienced during the competition. She said seeing other contestants initially made her feel intimidated, but she refused to give up.
“I came, I saw, and I conquered,” she said, while encouraging other young people not to abandon their dreams because of the challenges they may face.
The competition, organised by the Eastwing Youth Foundation and Eastwing Aviation Institute, was held under the theme, “Advancing Youth Potentials Through Aviation Innovation & Excellence.” It brought together young participants, aviation professionals, educators, industry leaders and other stakeholders to expose young people to career opportunities in aviation and related fields.
Speaking on the outcome of the competition, the Convener, Christian Agadibe, said Chinecherem’s victory reflected the determination and potential of young people in the region.
“It was a stiff competition among the Southeast youth from different states, and Favour emerged through her confidence, passion and determination,” Agadibe said.
He said the initiative was created to give young people early exposure to an industry that offers career opportunities beyond the commonly known profession of piloting.
The Chief Executive Officer of Eastwing Aviation Institute, Dr. Christopher Edeh, said young people should be introduced to aviation early enough to help them make informed career choices.
Drawing from his experience in the Nigerian Air Force, Dr. Edeh said aspiring aviation professionals should not have to travel abroad before accessing quality training.
He also highlighted the importance of proper training and adherence to safety standards in the aviation industry, while pointing to Eastwing’s partnerships with other aviation institutions as part of efforts to make industry-relevant training more accessible to young people in the Southeast.
The Father of the Day, HRH Igwe Dr. Lawrence Agubuzu, urged young people to look beyond piloting when considering careers in aviation.
“Aviation is not only about becoming a pilot,” Agubuzu said, pointing to opportunities in aircraft maintenance engineering, cabin crew services, aviation management, safety, air traffic services, ticketing, passenger support and aviation security.
He encouraged the participants to take advantage of specialised training and acquire professional qualifications that could help them build sustainable careers.
Also speaking, the Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, Dr. Ibrahim Bello Bashir, said the growing demand for aviation professionals around the world presents an opportunity for Nigerian youths with the right skills and qualifications.
He urged young people to combine formal education with practical and professional training, noting that internationally recognised skills could open opportunities for them both in Nigeria and abroad.
Dr. Bashir said the global aviation industry would require millions of skilled workers in the coming years, making it important for Nigerian youths to prepare themselves for opportunities within and outside the country.
The founding partner of Aeropath and CEO of Ubuntu HR Consulting, Laure Jifack, focused on the shortage of aircraft maintenance professionals in Africa, describing the situation as a challenge but also an opportunity for young Africans.
She said the major challenge was not a lack of talent but limited access to training, citing the cost of aviation education, travel requirements and the length of training as some of the barriers facing young people.
The Chief Executive Officer of Queen’s Model Schools, Enugu, Chukwuma Ephraim Okenwa, meanwhile, urged the young participants to develop discipline and take professional standards seriously.
He stressed that aviation requires careful attention to detail because mistakes in the industry can have serious consequences.
The summit also featured special addresses, youth development awards, partner recognition, presentation of certificates to participants and recognition of individuals who have contributed to youth development and aviation.
The event marked the second edition of SASEYC, building on the maiden edition in 2025 which produced Uyammadu Franklin as winner. Franklin received a scholarship to study Aircraft Maintenance Engineering and has since progressed to the industrial training stage of his programme in Abuja.
Reflecting on Franklin’s progress, Mr. Christian said the journey showed what could happen when young people receive the right exposure and opportunity.
“The journey demonstrated what could happen when young people are given exposure, guidance and opportunities at the right time,” he said.
For Chinecherem, the new scholarship marks another step towards a dream she has carried since childhood. For the organisers, her emergence further reinforces the purpose of SASEYC: to identify young talent, expose them to opportunities and create practical pathways into the aviation industry.
The summit ended with the presentation of awards and certificates, entertainment and networking, as participants and guests celebrated the young people who took part in the competition.
