Air Peace Promotes Senior First Officer Solomon Ayegba to Captain on Embraer E195-E2 Fleet
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, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to structured career progression, indigenous capacity building and the continuous strengthening of its flight operations.
The ceremonial decoration was held at the airline’s corporate headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, and attracted top management officials, flight operations executives and family members of the newly decorated Captain.
In attendance were 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; and Head of Human Resources, Mrs Osinaka Ifedigbo, alongside other senior personnel.
Captain Ayegba’s promotion marks the culmination of a distinguished seven-year professional journey with Air Peace, characterised by discipline, consistency and outstanding performance.
He joined the airline in 2018 as a Second Officer on the Embraer 145 and made history as the first Second Officer to transition to the Embraer E195 platform. Through rigorous training, continuous assessments and adherence to operational standards, he steadily rose through the ranks to command the airline’s advanced E2 aircraft.
Speaking at the event, Director of Flight Operations, Captain Augustin Kamano, described Ayegba’s progression as a testament to merit, professionalism and strong character.
“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.
He confirmed that the newly promoted Captain successfully completed all mandatory command courses, simulator checks and final proficiency evaluations.
Kamano added that Ayegba received strong endorsements from training captains, including Captain José Calvino, who attested to his competence, conduct and readiness to assume command of the Embraer E2 aircraft.
Also speaking, Deputy Head of Training, Captain José Calvino, praised Ayegba’s performance within Air Peace’s demanding training framework, noting that his elevation to captaincy was earned through dedication, discipline and strict adherence to standard operating procedures.
Delivering a keynote charge, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Allen Onyema, congratulated the new Captain and described the attainment of captaincy as the pinnacle of a pilot’s professional career.
He emphasised that command goes beyond technical skill and must be anchored on humility, integrity and an uncompromising commitment to safety.
“Captaincy is about responsibility, not authority,” Dr 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.”
In his response, Captain Solomon Ayegba expressed deep appreciation to the management of Air Peace for the trust and opportunity afforded him, acknowledging the leadership, mentorship and support he received throughout his career.
“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,” he said. “I sincerely thank my superiors, instructors and colleagues for their guidance, patience and unwavering support throughout this journey.”
He reserved special commendation for Dr Onyema, describing the Chairman’s confidence in him as a defining source of motivation.
“I thank the Chairman, Dr Allen Onyema, for the trust he has reposed in me. His leadership philosophy and emphasis on safety, integrity and professionalism have shaped me not just as a pilot, but as a person. I do not take this responsibility lightly,” Ayegba added.
The newly promoted Captain also acknowledged the support of his wife, a Senior Cabin Crew member with Air Peace, describing her understanding of the rigours of the aviation profession as instrumental to his success.
The ceremony, witnessed by his wife and children, highlighted the human side of the milestone, celebrating not only professional excellence but the family support systems that underpin success in aviation.
Captain Ayegba’s elevation further strengthens Air Peace’s reputation as a pilot-centric airline committed to developing indigenous talent through robust training programmes, modern aircraft and a safety-first culture.
With his assumption of command on the Embraer E2 fleet, the airline once again affirms its standing as a market leader in African aviation and a formidable institution for grooming world-class aviation professionals.
