BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Air Peace Limited has elevated Senior First Officer Solomon Ayegba to the prestigious rank of Captain on its state-of-the-art Embraer 195-E2 fleet.
The move solidifies the airline’s reputation for structured career progression, rigorous training standards and sustained investment in homegrown aviation talent.
The ceremonial decoration, held at the airline’s corporate headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, was attended by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Allen Ifechukwu Onyema; Director of Flight Operations, Captain Augustin Kamano; Head of Training, Captain Gerald Udaya; Deputy Head of Training, Captain José Calvino; Head of Human Resources, Mrs. Osinaka Ifedigbo; senior management staff, flight operations personnel and members of Captain Ayegba’s family.
Captain Ayegba’s elevation crowned a distinguished seven-year career with Air Peace marked by discipline, consistency, and strong operational performance.
He joined the airline in 2018 as a Second Officer on the Embraer 145 and went on to make history as the first Second Officer to transition to the Embraer 195 platform.
Through continuous training and operational exposure, he steadily progressed to Senior First Officer before attaining command on the Embraer E2, one of the most advanced aircraft in Air Peace’s fleet.
Speaking at the event, Director of Flight Operations, Captain Augustin Kamano, described Ayegba’s rise as a textbook example of merit-based progression within the airline.
“Captain Ayegba has demonstrated exceptional learning ability, discipline, and professionalism.
He has no record of incidents, accidents, or disciplinary issues, and his performance during training and line operations has been consistently outstanding”, Kamano said.
Kamano confirmed that Ayegba successfully completed all mandatory command courses, simulator checks, and final proficiency assessments required for captaincy.
He noted that the new Captain received strong endorsements from Captain José Calvino and other training captains, who unanimously attested to his technical competence, professional conduct, and readiness to assume command responsibilities on the Embraer E2 aircraft.
Deputy Head of Training, Captain José Calvino, also commended Ayegba’s performance, describing his promotion as fully earned under Air Peace’s demanding training framework.
“This promotion did not come by chance. Captain Ayegba showed dedication, discipline, and strict adherence to standard operating procedures throughout his training.
His transition to captaincy reflects consistency, maturity, and a deep respect for safety and professionalism”, Calvin stated.
Delivering a keynote charge to the newly decorated Captain, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Allen Ifechukwu Onyema, congratulated Ayegba and reminded him that captaincy represents the highest level of responsibility in a pilot’s career.
“Captaincy is about responsibility, not authority,” Onyema said. “Never take unnecessary risks, never abuse your position, and never lose your humility. At Air Peace, safety is non-negotiable, and character must always match competence.”
Dr. Onyema stressed that while technical skill is essential, leadership in the cockpit is ultimately defined by judgment, integrity, teamwork, and respect for procedures.
He urged Captain Ayegba to lead by example and to uphold the airline’s safety-first culture at all times.
In an emotional response, Captain Solomon Ayegba expressed deep gratitude to the management of Air Peace for the confidence reposed in him and for providing an environment that deliberately nurtures growth and excellence.
“I am deeply grateful to the management of Air Peace for believing in me and providing an environment where growth, discipline, and excellence are deliberately nurtured.
“I sincerely thank my superiors, instructors, and colleagues for their guidance, patience, and unwavering support throughout this journey”, Ayegba stated.
He paid special tribute to Dr. Onyema, describing the Chairman’s leadership philosophy as a defining influence on his professional development.
“I thank the Chairman, Dr. Allen Onyema, for the trust he has reposed in me. His emphasis on safety, integrity and professionalism has shaped me not just as a pilot, but as a person. I do not take this responsibility lightly”, the new captain noted.
Captain Ayegba also acknowledged the crucial role played by his family, particularly his wife, a Senior Cabin Crew member with Air Peace, whose understanding of the demands of aviation provided constant support.
“My deepest appreciation goes to my wife, who fully understands the rigours of this profession and has been my strongest pillar of support.
“Having a partner who shares the same aviation values and commitment to safety has made this journey truly meaningful.”
The ceremony, witnessed by Ayegba’s wife and children, highlighted the human side of the milestone, celebrating not only professional achievement but also the family support systems that underpin excellence in aviation.
The promotion further highlights Air Peace’s standing as a pilot-centric airline with a strong focus on indigenous capacity development and structured career growth.
Through robust training programmes, continuous skills development, modern aircraft acquisition, and a deeply ingrained safety culture, the airline said it continues to set benchmarks for professionalism across Africa’s aviation sector.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
