An 18-year-old girl from Enugu State, Favour Chinecherem, has won a scholarship to study Aircraft Maintenance Engineering at Eastwing Aviation Institute after emerging winner of the 2026 Southeast Aviation Summit/Eastwing Youth Competition.
Chinecherem emerged victorious in a competition involving more than 50 young people from across the South-East at the grand finale of the second edition of the summit held in Enugu.
Speaking after the competition, Chinecherem said she had dreamt of pursuing a career in aviation since she was 10 years old. She admitted that seeing other contestants initially made her feel intimidated but said she remained determined to pursue her ambition.
“I came, I saw, and I conquered,” she said, encouraging other young people not to abandon their dreams despite the challenges they might encounter.
The competition was organised by the Eastwing Youth Foundation and Eastwing Aviation Institute under the theme, “Advancing Youth Potentials Through Aviation Innovation & Excellence.” It brought together young people, aviation professionals, educators and industry stakeholders to explore career opportunities in aviation and related fields.
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 explained that the initiative was designed to expose young people to aviation careers beyond piloting and provide practical pathways into the industry.
The Chief Executive Officer of Eastwing Aviation Institute, Christopher Edeh, stressed the importance of introducing young people to aviation early enough to help them make informed career choices.
Drawing on his experience in the Nigerian Air Force, Edeh said aspiring aviation professionals should not have to travel abroad to access quality training.
He also emphasised the importance of professional training and strict adherence to safety standards, noting that partnerships with other aviation institutions were part of efforts to make industry-relevant training more accessible to young people in the South-East.
Naomi Chima is an entertainment and lifestyle correspondent at Punch Newspapers with over three years of experience. She covers Nigerian entertainment, culture, and social events, conducts personality interviews, and contributes to features across desks. Her work demonstrates hands-on newsroom experience, editorial judgment, and a commitment to engaging, accurate, and audience-focused journalism.