Air Peace promotes senior first officer to captain on Boeing 777 fleet
By Jeffrey Agbo
Air Peace, Nigeria’s foremost airline and West Africa’s largest carrier, has announced the elevation of Senior First Officer Chibuzo Mbanefo to the rank of Captain on its Boeing 777 fleet.
Captain Mbanefo has consistently demonstrated exceptional skill, leadership and commitment to upholding Air Peace’s high operational standards. After undergoing rigorous training and meeting all regulatory requirements, he has now officially assumed the esteemed position of Captain, reinforcing Air Peace’s legacy of nurturing top-tier aviation professionals.
While introducing SFO Mbanefo to the Chairman/CEO Air Peace Limited, Dr. Allen Onyema and Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olajide, Capt. Gerald Udaya extolled his exceptional qualities. Specifically, he noted that SFO Mbanefo had completed over 4,800 flight hours on the right-hand side of the B777 and acknowledged his exceptional performance in the rigorous command upgrade training programme. He expressed immense pride in Mbanefo’s elevation to the left seat as Captain, a testament to his knowledge, competence, and proficiency.
The pivotal moment of the ceremony was marked by the epaulette change, ceremoniously conferred by Dr. Onyema and Mrs. Olajide, symbolizing Mbanefo’s new status as Captain. Reflecting on Mbanefo’s journey, Capt. Iwo-Brown urged him to maintain a disciplined approach, adhere strictly to aviation protocols, and never compromise safety—a cornerstone for sustained success in the industry.
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In an emotion-laden speech, Captain Mbanefo expressed deep gratitude to the Chairman, his wife, family, and the flight operations management, acknowledging their unwavering support. He fondly recalled his early days in aviation before joining Air Peace as a flight dispatcher. With the Chairman’s support, Capt. Mbanefo said he transitioned from Cadet to First Officer, undergoing intensive training on the Boeing 737. Although he could have progressed to Captain on the B737, his passion for the B777 guided his career path—a decision celebrated in this elevation ceremony.
In his remark, Dr. Onyema congratulated the newly promoted Captain, and reaffirmed Air Peace’s commitment to empowering Nigerian pilots: “At Air Peace, we believe in recognizing and rewarding excellence. Captain Mbanefo has exhibited outstanding professionalism and dedication, and we are incredibly proud to see him take this next step in his career. This promotion aligns with our mission to build local capacity and ensure our flight operations remain world-class.”
While emphasising the importance of humility, continuous learning, and prioritizing safety, Dr. Onyema encouraged Capt. Mbanefo to embrace his new role with responsibility. Pointedly he said, “It is only your character that determines your altitude in life.”
He expressed confidence in Mbanefo’s ability to lead and uphold Air Peace’s commitment to excellence and safety.
