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By Chinelo Obogo
Air Peace has elevated Senior First Officer Solomon Ayegba to the rank of Captain on its Embraer 195-E2 fleet.
The ceremonial decoration took place at the airline’s corporate headquarters in Lagos, and was attended by the Chairman, Allen Onyema; Director of Flight Operations, Captain Augustin Kamano; Head of Training, Captain Gerald Udaya; Deputy Head of Training, Captain José Calvino; and the Head of Human Resources, Osinaka Ifedigbo, alongside senior management officials. Captain Ayegba joined the airline in 2018 as a Second Officer on the Embraer 145, and went on to become the first Second Officer to transition to Embraer E195.
Speaking during the ceremony, Director of Flight Operations, Captain Kamano, described Ayegba’s progression as a clear reflection of 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.
Delivering a keynote charge, Onyema, congratulated the newly decorated Captain, describing the attainment of captaincy as the pinnacle of a pilot’s professional journey. He emphasized that command is anchored not only on technical expertise, but on humility, integrity, and an uncompromising commitment to safety.
“Captaincy is about responsibility, not authority. 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,” he said.
Responding to his elevation, Captain Ayegba expressed gratitude to the management of Air Peace, saying: “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. I thank the Chairman 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.”
Captain Ayegba also acknowledged the support of his wife, a senior cabin crew member with Air Peace, describing her understanding of the demands of aviation as instrumental to his success.
“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,” he said.
