Air Peace has elevated two of its accomplished Senior First Officers (SFOs)—Obinna Okeke and Adedamola Adeoye—to the esteemed rank of Captain on its Boeing 737 fleet.
The ceremony, which took place in Lagos, was attended by the chairman and chief operating officer, Dr. Allen Onyema; the chief operating officer, Oluwatoyin Olajide; the director of Flight Operations, Capt. Augustin Kamano; Embraer E195-E2 Captain, Callistus Ifeanyi; and family members of the newly minted Captains.
Captain Kamano emphasised the dedication, exceptional performance, and rigorous training the Pilots undertook to qualify for the Captaincy.
He noted that both pilots had logged over 4,000 hours on the Boeing 737, a clear indication of their experience, technical skill, and readiness for this significant leap.
The ceremonial decoration followed, with the Chairman and COO jointly donning the epaulettes on both officers, symbolising their transition from First Officers to Captains.
Captain Adedamola Adeoye, who joined Air Peace from flight school in 2016, and Captain Obinna Okeke, who joined in 2018, described the moment as the most defining day of their careers.
They expressed heartfelt gratitude to the chairman, their trainers, and the entire management team, stating that this achievement marked the realisation of their flight school dreams.
Dr. Onyema, however, praised the captains for reaching this major career milestone and commended their trainers for the crucial role they played in shaping disciplined and safety-conscious aviators.
He underscored Air Peace’s firm stance on safety, reiterating that the airline values sound judgment over bravado.
“In Air Peace, we don’t need overzealous decisions. We don’t need heroes. We need you alive,” Dr. Onyema said.
“Your friends and families need you alive, so don’t go into dangerous areas just to be known as a hero. Stick to the operational procedures and always follow through with your safety manuals.”
He also challenged the new Captains to aspire for more beyond the cockpit. “The sky is not your limit—it’s your foundation. You must think ahead and work with a sense of purpose, not just for the airline, but for your families and the greater good of Nigeria.”
