₦airaland Forum

The Eastwing Aviation Institute, Enugu, a private institution, has decried low patronage by the South-East youths, saying the school was established to bridge aviation gap in the zone.

Mr Nnamdi Hojo, the Registrar of the institute stated this when staff of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Enugu office visited the institute on invitation on Tuesday.

According to Hojo, majority of our students from inception in 2013 comes from other zones of the country with few from the Southeast.

He disclosed that the schools provide its students the opportunity to harness potentials in aviation sector.

Hojo said the patronage from the zone was very low, saying that 80 per cent of people they trained came from the Niger Delta, North and South West and some West African countries.

He regretted that all efforts to reach out to previous governments and well-known individuals in Igboland to register some youths did not yield fruit.

“In this eastern region, aviation is not well known and we are trying to close that gap as they are not keying into aviation training unlike other zones of the country.

“Most people being trained here are mostly Yorubas, Hausas, South-South and few Igbos.

“We are trying to close that gap so Igbos can benefit from it,” he said.

He explained that the school was a registered institution with Corporate Affairs Commission and had approval of regulatory bodies like Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

He further said that the school was partnering with Aviation School, Zaria and Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) to training its students.

“With the upgrade in 2024 by NBTE, we run Ordinary National Programme (OND) in aircraft maintenance Engineering technology and Higher National Programme (HND) in aviation management

“We are qualified to train aviation professionals as we collaborate also with the International College of Aeronautics, a registered institution in USA,” Hojo said.

He added that aside aircraft engineering, the institute train people on cabin crew, flight despatch, aviation management, on dangerous goods handling and other aviation professional courses.

“We also train people on aircraft type rating courses for our trainees to specialise on particular aircraft.

“In fact, it was the institute that trained all the Aviation Officers working in the Anambra Airport under former Gov Willie Obiano.

“The school also run European Aviation Safety Agency which if one pass its modula exam will have privilege to work anywhere in the world as aircraft engineer.

“This is the only institution today in West Africa that run this course. People come from Ghana, Cameroon and other countries to sit for it,” he said.

The registrar said the school engaged its students on practicals through partnership with Nigeria Air force, International Helicopter Flying Training school in Emene, Enugu and Aero Contractors where they sent them on Industrial Training.

On his part, the Accountable Manager of the institute, Mr Gilbert Ani, appealed to southeast youths to utilise the school’s potentials for their own benefits, pledging to intensify campaign about the school.

He also urged the South East governors and stakeholders to sponsor some of the youth in the zone for the training noting that only the suspended Gov Siminari Fubara had sponsored some students for the training at the institute.

Responding, the Zonal Manager, NAN Enugu, Mrs Maureen Atuonwu, thanked the institute for establishing the school in Igboland and pledged the agency’s partnership.

Atuonwu, who took time to explain how NAN operates, expressed the need for the institute to increase its awareness so that people of the zone could know about it and benefit from it.

“We are happy to be here and we will partner with you as you are doing a great job,” she said.

As part effort to close the gap, the Executive Director of Eastwing Youth Foundation, Christian Agadibe said the subsidiary NGO of the institute is set to embark programme tagged 'Face of Eastwing/Southeast Aviation Summit 2025' which will take place in August.

He described it as "a purposeful gathering that seems to address the pressing challenge we can no longer ignore: the underrepresentation of Southeast youths in the rapidly expanding field of aviation. Despite their talents, energy, and ambition, many of our young people are held back-not by a lack of potential, but by financial limitations and lack of access to the right platforms. We at Eastwing Youth Foundation believe that it is time to balance the equation. For too long, the Southeast has lagged in this sector- not due to ability, but due to lack opportunity. The Face of Eastwing/Aviation Summit is designed to change that narrative. Those that will emerge as the face of Eastwing and top five constants will get scholarship and other compelling prizes.

Hojo said the patronage from the zone was very low, saying that 80 per cent of people they trained came from the Niger Delta, North and South West and some West African countries.

Twigy:
https://thesun.ng/enugu-aviation-school-decries-low-patronage-by-seast-youths/

LegendHero:
What exactly is a SW person looking for when we have aviation schools in the West?

SultanYoung:
To address the low enrollment of Southeast youths at Eastwing Aviation Institute in Enugu, the institution and its partners need to implement a multi-faceted approach that combines awareness, financial support, community engagement, and strategic partnerships. Here’s a detailed strategy:

1. Intensified Awareness Campaigns




- Media Collaboration: Partner with local and regional media outlets (e.g., NAN, TV/radio stations, newspapers) to highlight success stories of graduates and the career opportunities in aviation.

- Social Media & Digital Marketing: Leverage platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to target Southeast youths with engaging content (videos, testimonials, live Q&A sessions).

- School Roadshows: Visit secondary schools, universities, and technical colleges in the Southeast to introduce aviation career paths and scholarship opportunities.
- Aviation Summit (Face of Eastwing 2025): Use the upcoming summit to showcase the industry’s potential, offering scholarships and prizes to attract participants.

2. Government & Stakeholder Engagement

- Lobby Southeast Governors: Present proposals for state-sponsored scholarships (like Sim Fubara’s initiative in Rivers) to fund students.

- Partnership with LGAs: Work with local government councils to sponsor indigent students.

- Corporate Sponsorships: Engage Igbo business leaders and organizations (e.g., Ohanaeze Ndigbo, chambers of commerce) to fund trainees.

3. Financial Support & Scholarships

- Eastwing Youth Foundation: Expand the NGO’s scholarship program and create flexible payment plans for students.

- State & Federal Grants: Apply for educational grants through agencies like TETFund or state youth empowerment programs.

- Work-Study Programs: Allow students to offset tuition through part-time roles at the institute or partner airlines.

4. Community & Cultural Advocacy

- Traditional Rulers & Town Unions: Partner with Igbo leaders to promote aviation as a viable career, dispelling myths about elitism or inaccessibility.

- Alumni Network: Showcase successful Igbo graduates working locally/internationally to inspire confidence.

- Language & Cultural Sensitivity: Use Igbo-language campaigns to resonate with rural communities.

5. Enhanced Industry Linkages

- Job Placement Guarantees: Strengthen ties with airlines (e.g., Aero Contractors, Air Peace) to offer employment assurances for graduates.

- Internships & Apprenticeships: Expand partnerships with the Nigerian Air Force, Aero Contractors, and international bodies for hands-on training.

- EASA Certification Promotion: Highlight the global recognition of the institute’s European Aviation Safety Agency program to attract ambitious students.

6 . Addressing Perceived Barriers

- Affordability: Introduce subsidized short courses (e.g., cabin crew, dispatch) as entry points before advanced programs.

- Misconceptions: Educate parents/students that aviation careers extend beyond pilots (e.g., engineers, technicians, managers).

- Gender Inclusion: Encourage female participation through targeted campaigns and scholarships.

7. Strategic Collaborations

- Universities & Polytechnics: Formalize partnerships with ESUT and others for degree-awarding joint programs.


- Diaspora Engagement: Tap into Igbo professionals abroad to mentor students and sponsor trainings.

[b]8. Monitoring & Feedback

- Track Enrollment Trends: Regularly assess the impact of interventions and adjust strategies.

- Student Testimonials: Feature Southeast graduates in marketing materials to build trust.

Conclusion
By combining aggressive awareness, financial incentives, government/private sector collaboration, and community-driven advocacy, Eastwing Aviation Institute can significantly boost Southeast enrollment. The upcoming Face of Eastwing/Southeast Aviation Summit 2025 is a pivotal opportunity to catalyze this change—ensuring Igbo youths no longer miss out on aviation’s lucrative opportunities.

Call to Action:
- Governments/Sponsors: Fund scholarships.
- Parents/Students: Explore aviation careers via open days.

Media: Amplify Eastwing’s programs.

Private Sector: Invest in youth aviation training.

With sustained effort, the institute can become a hub for Southeast aviation talent, bridging the regional gap in the industry.

blueghost:
Oshey chat gpt

Twigy:
https://thesun.ng/enugu-aviation-school-decries-low-patronage-by-seast-youths/

Exceed15:
I guess the fees

LegendHero:
What exactly is a SW person looking for when we have aviation schools in the West?

autoez:
Now you understand the reason for low patronage of NELFUND loan n the SE. They just don't like education

LegendHero:
What exactly is a SW person looking for when we have aviation schools in the West?

Kewekubosineh:
You see how you exposed yourself?

Do you know travelling is part of learning. If you don't travel, you become moribund, mindset wise.

If you are asking what SW person is looking for in aviation school in Southeast, you could also ask yourself what SW person is looking for outside Nigeria for education. At least,we have schools in Nigeria.

I am ashamed with your response. You need social studies to expose you more. You are too ingrained with your local community.

Regrets!!!

You fall my hand!

LegendHero:
Outside Nigeria is better than traveling to the SE.

It’s downgradeeng when you move from West to go school in the East when you have better schools in the West.