Air Peace Promotes Two Senior First Officers to Captain on Boeing 737 Fleet
Air Peace, Nigeria and West Africa’s foremost airline, has promoted two of its experienced Senior First Officers, Obinna Okeke and Adedamola Adeoye, to the prestigious rank of Captain on its Boeing 737 fleet.
The promotion ceremony, held at the airline’s corporate headquarters in Lagos, was a celebration of excellence and perseverance.
According to a statement signed by Dr Ejike Ndiulo, Head, Corporate Communications at Air Peace, the ceremony was attended by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Allen Ifechukwu Onyema; Chief Operating Officer, Mrs Oluwatoyin Olajide; Director of Flight Operations, Captain Augustin Kamano; Embraer E195-E2 Captain, Callistus Ifeanyi; as well as family members of the newly decorated captains.
Captain Kamano opened the event with an inspiring tribute to the newly promoted pilots, highlighting their unrelenting commitment, professionalism, and the intense training they underwent to earn their captaincy.
He revealed that both officers had logged over 4,000 flying hours on the Boeing 737 aircraft – an outstanding feat underscoring their skill and preparedness for this next phase of their careers.
The highlight of the ceremony was the ceremonial donning of epaulettes, conducted jointly by Dr Onyema and Mrs Olajide.
The gesture symbolised the officers’ official transition from First Officers to Captains. Both men—Captain Adeoye, who joined the airline from flight school in 2016, and Captain Okeke, who came on board in 2018—described the moment as the most pivotal of their professional lives.
They conveyed deep appreciation to the airline’s leadership, particularly their trainers and mentors, crediting the achievement as the fulfilment of their long-held dreams since their flight school days.
Delivering a heartfelt congratulatory message, Dr Onyema lauded the two captains for attaining this significant milestone and commended the instructors who moulded them into capable and safety-conscious aviators.
He stressed the airline’s unwavering emphasis on safety, noting that good judgement and discipline far outweigh acts of bravado in aviation.
“In Air Peace, we don’t need overzealous decisions. We don’t need heroes. We need you alive,” Dr Onyema stated emphatically. “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.”
Dr Onyema further challenged the new captains to look beyond the immediate triumph and strive for greater accomplishments.
“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 for the greater good of Nigeria,” he urged.
He concluded his remarks with words of encouragement, urging the new captains to lead with integrity, remain grounded in the airline’s values, and serve as role models to others.
With these promotions, Air Peace continues to affirm its reputation as a pilot-centric airline—one that nurtures careers, empowers dreams, and delivers on its promise of world-class service and safety.
The development comes as Air Peace expands its operations, with new destinations and enhanced long-haul capacity, notably through its Boeing 777 fleet.
The promotions are in line with the airline’s vision to not only connect regions but also elevate Nigerian aviation by investing in the growth and success of its personnel.
