Training participants and some instructors. 

ENUGU, Sept. 13, 2025 (GMTNewsng) – The much-anticipated Face of Eastwing Competition 2025 Training Series has officially concluded, heightening expectations for the upcoming Southeast Aviation Summit in Enugu. Themed “Growing Dreams in Aviation Through Human Development,” this year’s summit promises to be a milestone event, blending youth innovation with industry leadership.

The training series, held in the buildup to the summit, sharpened participants’ soft skills in areas such as leadership, communication, and teamwork, with seasoned facilitators guiding the sessions. Organizers revealed that this year’s cohort demonstrated exceptional creativity and passion, setting a new benchmark for future editions.

Candidates were evaluated across key parameters including punctuality, problem-solving, attitude, and teamwork. By the end of the weeklong sessions, ten participants emerged as finalists. The top five will be unveiled during the Aviation Party Hangout on September 19 at Foodpolis, opposite the Fire Service, from 6 pm.

The grand finale will take place on September 20 at the Southeast Aviation Summit hosted at the Tekknopolis Event Centre, where the overall winner of the Face of Eastwing 2025 will be crowned. Certificates of participation and recognition will also be presented to candidates to honor their dedication throughout the programme.

In an exclusive chat with GMTNewsng, Chukwunosike Callistus Ozokolie, one of the finalists, described the programme as transformative. “This training exposed us to skills beyond the classroom. The teamwork sessions, in particular, taught me how to collaborate effectively and think fast in real-life aviation scenarios. I feel more prepared for the future,” he said.

Another participant, Chinemezu Elvira Okeke, expressed gratitude to the organizers for creating such a platform for young people. “I feel privileged to be part of this competition. The mentorship we received here is rare, and I believe it has prepared us not just for aviation but for leadership roles in society. Whoever emerges as the winner will truly be a worthy ambassador,” he noted.

The summit will also feature distinguished guests, with the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu, confirmed as the Special Guest of Honour. His presence underscores the growing recognition of aviation as a catalyst for youth empowerment and regional development in the Southeast.

Organizers disclosed that several states within the Southeast and neighboring regions have already expressed interest in hosting the 2026 edition of the Aviation Summit, reflecting the event’s increasing influence and prestige. This development positions the Face of Eastwing competition as a leading youth-centered aviation initiative in Nigeria.

With the countdown underway, Enugu is set to host aviation stakeholders, industry experts, and youth innovators in what promises to be a vibrant celebration of talent and dreams. The Face of Eastwing 2025 grand finale is not just about crowning a winner; it is about inspiring the next generation to soar higher through human development and innovation. GMTNewsng

 Nigergas 

…Plant to create 5,000 jobs, produce 100 cubic metres of oxygen, 45 cubic metres of acetylene per hour

…Nitrogen, argon gas, carbon dioxide and CNG stations in the pipeline

…Dr. Uduji: “Mbah, Nehemiah of our time, rebuilding broken walls”

…Kanayo O. Kanayo: “Security is working in Enugu”

Enugu State, Nigeria – In a bold move to reindustrialize the South-East and position Enugu as a major hub in Africa’s energy and healthcare economy, Governor Peter Mbah on Thursday unveiled the newly revamped Nigergas Company Limited – a facility that had been abandoned for over three decades.

Governor Mbah revealed that the rebirth of Nigergas has already created direct employment for more than 100 skilled and semi-skilled workers and is projected to generate over 5,000 indirect jobs across distribution, transport, fabrication, and supply chains.

The company, originally established in 1962 during the premiership of the late Dr. Michael Okpara, is now central to Mbah’s ambitious plan to grow Enugu State’s GDP from $4.4 billion to $30 billion.

“What we have revived and unveiled today is not simply metal and a network of pipes; it is the restoration of purpose, dignity and productivity to a site that once symbolised Eastern Nigeria’s industrial promise.

“When we speak of the goal to grow our GDP from $4.4bn to $30bn, it is not mere posturing. It is rooted in the conviction that Enugu can become a truly diversified, self-reliant economy, if we muster the will to do things differently to launch us to the future we dream of,” Governor Mbah said.

Revamped for Global Standards

 HRH Igwe Samuel Asadu, Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers 

Mbah explained that Nigergas now operates under a modern rehabilitation model that combines public ownership with private-sector efficiency and performance discipline.

“The intention was clear: retain public ownership, but run the facility on modern, accountable, commercially viable lines.

So, today, Nigergas returns to production with modernised equipment and clear technical specifications designed to meet immediate healthcare and industry needs,” he stated.

The upgraded facility boasts an installed capacity of 100 cubic metres of oxygen per hour and 45 cubic metres of acetylene per hour, ensuring reliable supply for hospitals, welders, agro-processors, and manufacturers across Nigeria. Plans are also underway for the production of nitrogen, argon gas, carbon dioxide, and CNG stations to further diversify output.

“Crucially, the plant will supply liquid oxygen, medical and industrial oxygen, and acetylene gas to our hospitals, welders, agro-processors and manufacturers, improving clinical outcomes and reducing production costs for businesses that are the backbone of local livelihoods,” Mbah emphasized.

Economic Transformation with Human Impact

Governor Mbah noted that beyond its industrial significance, the revival of Nigergas will strengthen healthcare systems, reduce the high cost of importing medical oxygen, and provide affordable industrial gases to small and medium-scale businesses.

“These improvements ripple outward: increased industrial activity strengthens our revenue base, and deepens opportunities for MSMEs,” he said.

He commended the Enugu State Investment Authority, the Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Industry, Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, engineering firm Ten Gas Development Ltd (INDEV GROUP division) and the Emene community leaders for their role in the revival.

Dr. Ogbu-Nwobodo hailed Governor Mbah for restoring what decades of corruption and mismanagement had destroyed:

“Although the firm established by Dr. Okpara Administration in partnership with Siad Machine Impianti was abandoned for over three decades due to mismanagement, misappropriation of revenue, abuse of company resources, nepotism, and weak corporate governance, Governor Mbah has restored the lost dreams.”

Chief Chike Madueke, Managing Director of Ten Gas Development Ltd., added:

“The restored Nigergas will provide training and thousands of employments for the youths of the state.”

Voices of Commendation

The Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Samuel Asadu; community leader and health consultant, Dr. Joy Uduji; Chairman of Enugu East LGA, Pastor Beloved Dan Anike; and businessman Engr. George Ndubeze Ugwu all praised Mbah’s foresight in bringing dead assets back to life.

Dr. Uduji captured the sentiment in biblical terms:

“You are the Nehemiah of our time. Like Nehemiah, who came and supervised the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, you have also come to rebuild Enugu State.”

Nollywood icon, Kanayo O. Kanayo, also highlighted a different but crucial aspect – the improving security in the state:

“It is not praise-singing, security is working here because when I come to make movies here, we usually stay out late into the night at Nike, and we are safe.”

Global Significance

With this milestone, Enugu joins the ranks of regions reviving industrial gas production for medical and industrial use, aligning with Africa’s push for self-sufficiency in healthcare and manufacturing inputs.

 Kanayo O Kanayo 

The new Nigergas plant positions Enugu not just as a Nigerian success story, but as a potential industrial gas hub for West Africa, supporting sustainable development, job creation, and regional trade integration. GMTNewsng

Enugu State on Wednesday marked its 34th anniversary, reflecting on a journey from its historic role as the heartbeat of Eastern Nigeria to its present efforts at renewal under new leadership.

Enugu State on Wednesday marked its 34th anniversary, a milestone that rekindles memories of its emergence in 1991 when it was carved from the old Anambra State. The creation brought with it hopes of a stronger identity for a people whose history had long been tied to the heart of Eastern Nigeria.

Known as the Coal City, Enugu once served as the headquarters of the former Eastern Region, a symbol of Igbo resilience and political assertion in Nigeria’s post-colonial history. Over the years, the state has carried the weight of that heritage, earning recognition as both an administrative capital and a cultural melting pot.

Yet, three decades on, the journey has been uneven. Successes in education, commerce, and healthcare stand beside persistent challenges of infrastructure, unemployment, and uneven access to basic utilities. For many residents, the anniversary is as much a celebration as it is a reminder of unfinished business.

Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, who assumed office in May 2023, has sought to inject new urgency into Enugu’s development agenda. His “Tomorrow Is Here” blueprint envisions a shift toward technology-driven governance, improved revenue generation, and deliberate steps to expand the state’s economy. A target of raising Enugu’s GDP from $4.4 billion to $30 billion within a decade underscores the scale of that ambition.

One of the boldest early promises of the administration was to restore pipe-borne water in Enugu metropolis within 180 days. That goal became a challenge, as ageing infrastructure could not withstand renewed water pressure. The government has since moved to replace the reticulation network, awarding contracts aimed at ensuring a lasting solution to a decades-long problem that has outlived successive administrations.

The push into renewable energy has equally drawn attention, with initiatives such as the EU-backed Solar-for-Health project designed to provide clean, steady power in healthcare facilities. Enugu has also begun shaping a climate policy to prepare the state for a green economy, a rare move among subnational governments in Nigeria.

For residents, the larger question is how quickly these ambitions will translate into everyday improvements. “We are proud of Enugu at 34, but many of us just want the basics – steady water, better roads, and jobs for our children,” said Mrs. Ujunwa Ogbu, a trader at Ogbete Market. “If the government can fix those, then the future will truly feel different.”

Others strike a more hopeful tone. “It is encouraging to see conversations about renewable energy and innovation happening here,” noted Chinedu Nnamani, a young tech entrepreneur in Enugu. “We grew up knowing Enugu for coal, but it is refreshing to imagine a future where the city is powered by solar and technology.”

At 34, Enugu finds itself standing between a proud past and an uncertain but promising future. Its history as the ancient capital of Ndi Igbo and Southern Nigeria remains a source of identity. Yet, it is the ability to translate present ambitions into tangible outcomes that will ultimately define how the next decades are remembered. GMTNewsng