By Alex Enebeli
Enugu, Sept. 3, 2025 (NAN) – The Eastwing Aviation Institute, Enugu, has commenced the training of youths from the Southeast on aviation hospitality, tourism, customer care, and other soft skills aimed at encouraging them to pursue careers in the aviation industry.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme is part of the Institute’s maiden Southeast Aviation Summit, scheduled to hold from Sept. 19 to 20, and organised through its Eastwing Youth Foundation.
Beneficiaries were drawn from across the five southeastern states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.
Speaking at the opening of the training on Wednesday in Enugu, the Deputy Provost of the Institute, Dr. Segun Babalola, said the initiative was designed to expose young people in the region to diverse opportunities in aviation.
According to him, more than 50 youths registered for the training, from which the first 10 would be selected for advanced coaching in aviation soft skills.
“These 10 will be further evaluated, and the best five chosen. From among them, one will eventually emerge as the Southeast Aviation Summit Ambassador and receive a scholarship to study a course of their choice,” he said.
Babalola added that the Institute’s partner, Lofish Travel & Tour Limited, would support the remaining four by assisting them with visas to travel to countries of their choice.
He further disclosed that the training would cover areas such as aviation fuel security, quality assurance, flight dispatch, ramp safety and baggage handling, general electricity, hospitality management, ticketing, and reservation.
“We have written to the International Helicopter Flying School (IHFS), Emene, Enugu, to provide facilities for the training and selection process,” he said. “We have also reached out to the Nigerian Air Force Base, Enugu, to allow the students access to different aircraft types, where they will have five to six hours of practical exposure.”
He appealed to individuals, governments, and philanthropists from the region to sponsor more youths interested in aviation careers.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of Eastwing Youth Foundation, Mr. Christian Agadibe, said the foundation was established to create value and impact in the lives of young people.
“This is part of the reason the foundation was established – to keep youths off the streets and help secure their future,” Agadibe said. (NAN)
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