LOFISH Travel and Tours, and EastWing Youth Foundation have announced plans to host the first ever aviation summit in the South-East, Nigeria.
This was disclosed at a joint press conference held in Enugu where they also announced Face of EastWing 2025.
Addressing journalists on the much anticipated event scheduled to hold in August 2025, the Project Coordinator
Face of Eastwing/Aviation Summit 2025, Dr. Segun Babalola, said the groundbreaking initiative seeks to transform the lives of young Nigerians, particularly those from the Southeast, through meaningful access to opportunities in the aviation industry.
He said the Face of Eastwing/Aviation Summit 2025, with the theme; “Growing Dreams: Touching Lives in Aviation through Human Development”, will bring together over 5,000 youths, industry professionals, hospitality businesses, tech stakeholders, and thought leaders to celebrate, educate, and empower.
According to him, South East youths are under-representation in the rapidly expanding field of aviation stressing that the gathering will address the challenge
by transforming the lives of young Nigerians, particularly those from the Southeast, through meaningful access to opportunities in the aviation industry.
“Today, we officially announce and share the vision behind the Face of Eastwing/Aviation Summit 2025, themed “Growing Dreams: Touching Lives in Aviation through Human Development.”
“This is not just another event. It is a movement. A purposeful gathering that seeks to address a 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 it is time to balance the equation. For too long, the Southeast has lagged in this sector, not due to ability, but a lack of opportunity”.
“The Face of Eastwing/Aviation Summit 2025 is designed to change that narrative”.
“This two-day national event, scheduled in August 2025 will bring together over 5,000 youths, industry professionals, hospitality businesses, tech stakeholders, and thought leaders to celebrate, educate, and empower”.
” Day one will feature the final selection of the top ten candidates out of fifty young people who have already undergone pre-training in aviation, life skills, and hospitality. On the second day, we will unveil the Face of Eastwing an ambassador of hope, hard work, and possibility”.
“Students stand to gain life-changing benefits from participating in this initiative. Our mission is to celebrate brilliance, support ambition, and provide transformational opportunities through scholarships, mentorship, and career guidance”.
“Participants will be exposed to high-level networking, practical training sessions, and access to industry mentors. The eventual winner will receive a full scholarship to study an aviation course, in addition to a range of other compelling prizes that can redefine their future. For many, this will be the first real step into the aviation world-a launchpad for their dreams to take flight”.
“We are delighted to be working with reputable brands such as Phoenix Crest Hospitality Services, Nigerian Connect, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), LOFISH Global Travel & Tours, and Artmatazz Medin, among others, both locally and internationally. Their suppert and alignment with our mission underscore the shared commitment to youth development and industry growth”.
“But let me be clear, this summit is more than just a crowning ceremony. It is a platform for change. It is where lives will be touched, futures will be redirected, and dreams will begin to take flight. Beyond the glitz and glamour, we will provide scholarships, internship pathways, and real mentorship opportunities. And we hope that by spotlighting these gifted young individuals, we will inspire stakeholders, businesses, and government agencies to sponsor, partner, and invest in this noble cause”.
“We are targeting the empowerment of graduates, tertiary applicants, and first-year students-young people between the ages of 18 and 30 who will be tested not just on technical knowledge but on emotional intelligence, character, and vision”.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the estimated budget for this event is N22 million. While we remain flexible and open to customizing the project based on available resources, we are calling on corporate sponsors. philanthropists, and government agencies to stand with us in making this a reality. This is not charity it is an investment in the future of our region, and indeed, our nation.”
“There are immense Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) opportunities embedded in this project-be it through visibility, community engagement, or long-term talent pipelines. With expected collaborations from airlines such as Air Peace, United Nigeria, and Ibom Air, we foresee a ripple effect of internship placements and industrial training for our participants”.
“Awards will also be presented to outstanding institutions and professionals in categories such as Most Influential Person in Aviation and Best Hospitality Hotel in Aviation-a nod to those already contributing to excellence in the field. Let us come together to grow dreams. Let us touch lives. Let us raise the next generation of pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, and aviation entrepreneurs from the Southeast”.
