An 18-year-old indigene of Enugu State, Favour Francis, has emerged winner of the 2026 Southeast Aviation Summit/Eastwing Youth Competition, securing a scholarship to study Aircraft Maintenance Engineering at Eastwing Aviation Institute.
Francis emerged victorious after a keenly contested competition involving youths from different states across the Southeast at the grand finale of SASEYC 2.0 held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Bon Hotel Platinum, Enugu.
Organised by the Eastwing Youth Foundation and Eastwing Aviation Institute, the competition was held under the theme, “Advancing Youth Potentials Through Aviation Innovation & Excellence,” and brought together young people, aviation professionals, educators, business leaders and other stakeholders.
Speaking after the competition, the Convenor, Christian Agadibe, described the contest as a stiff challenge among youths from across the region, noting that Francis distinguished herself through confidence, passion and determination.
“It was a stiff competition among the Southeast youth from different states, and Favour emerged through her confidence, passion and determination,” Agadibe said.
Francis, whose emergence as the winner was one of the emotional highlights of the event, admitted that she initially felt intimidated by some of the other contestants but said she overcame her fears and remained focused on the competition.
“I came, I saw, and I conquered,” the 18-year-old said.
Her victory also attracted additional support from dignitaries and guests at the event, with some pledging to support her development and the broader youth training initiative.
One of the award recipients further pledged to sponsor the training of three young people at Eastwing Aviation Institute.
The event attracted dignitaries from various sectors, including Dr. Ibrahim Bello Bashir, Rector of Federal Polytechnic Damaturu; Dr. Emelu Chidi, a former General Manager of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency; Chukwuma Ephraim Okenwa, Chief Executive Officer of Queen’s Model Schools, Enugu; as well as aviation professionals, public figures and other industry stakeholders.
The programme featured keynote and special addresses, youth development awards, partner recognition, presentation of certificates to participants and the presentation of the SASEYC 2.0 Aviation Scholarship Award.
SASEYC is designed to expose young people to opportunities in aviation, tourism, hospitality and related industries, while connecting them with professionals and practical training pathways.
The 2026 edition built on the success of the inaugural competition held in 2025, which produced Uyammadu Franklin as its winner. Franklin received a scholarship to study Aircraft Maintenance Engineering and is currently pursuing the programme, with organisers citing his progress as an example of the opportunities the initiative seeks to create for young people.
The event ended with entertainment, networking and further recognition of participants, partners and supporters, as the organisers reaffirmed their commitment to creating practical education and career pathways for young people interested in aviation and related industries.
