By Brown Chimezie
The first private aviation school, Eastwing Aviation Institute, Emene, Enugu, has held its maiden matriculation.
Speaking at the event, founder of the school, Dr Christopher Edeh, said the event marked a significant milestone in the history of the institute.
“This momentous occasion signals the beginning of an exciting journey, filled with discovery, growth, and transformation,” Edeh said.
He commended the matriculating students for choosing the institute as ‘their gateway to a rewarding career in aviation,’ noting that during their studies, they were provided with a world-class training and facilities and a supportive environment that fosters excellence.”
He urged them to “become ambassadors of Eastwing Aviation Institute, upholding our values of integrity, professionalism, and innovation.”
While acknowledging the cost of studying aeronautics, the founder appealed to Nigerians to support its scholarship scheme aimed at enrolling more students, who have the talents and skills but lack the resources to pursue their dreams in aviation.
The Registrar of the institute, Nnamdi Hojo, said the aviation sector was neither large nor loud but very reserved and specialised.
He said the school had good equipment for aviation training and professionals in the aviation field to help facilitate the learning and growth of the students enrolled in the school.
“The school equally has about six professors in different sectors of aviation with masters degree holders to make sure we give them the best for being our pioneer students.
“Students, who are interested in obtaining knowledge in the aviation field need not travel outside the country for that as we give them the best knowledge in the aviation field for a very affordable rate,” Hojo said.
Also speaking, a parent, Mrs. Chinagorom Wogbo, said she was excited that her son attended the institute, being the first of its kind in the South East.
She said she got to know about the institute on the internet, adding that her son’s insistence on studying aeronautical made her enrol him at Eastwing Aviation.
“We got to know about the school through the internet because my son was bent on doing aeronautical; we needed to help him out but before this, he gained admission in Lagos University.
“But, because of his age; we didn’t want him to be far away from us. We started making research until we found out that we have a great institute, the Eastwing Aviation in Enugu.
“I am very satisfied with the school and didn’t know that this kind of institution is now in the East. Quite the best,” Wogbo noted.
A student, Wisdom Adiele, said: “I feel so special and different being here because the lecturers do their best to ensure the students know everything they should about aircraft. I feel excited that today is our matriculation day,” Adiele said.
Eastwing Aviation Institute is the first privately owned aviation institute in Nigeria approved by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to admit science students that meet the cut off marks of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
The school will train students in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Technology to National and Higher National levels.
The institute is committed to providing quality education and training in aviation. However, it recognises that the cost of studying aeronautics can be prohibitively expensive for many students.
To address this challenge, the Institute has established a subsidiary nongovernmental organisation, the Eastwing Youth Foundation. The foundation is seeking funds to support underprivileged kids who have a dream in aviation but are financially handicapped.
The institute is appealing to the general public to help support the scholarship scheme, which aims to enrol more students that have the talents and skills but lack the resources to pursue their dreams in aviation.