The Federal Government has announced plans to appoint Fuji music icon, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol. The decision follows a recent controversy over his conduct at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday while outlining measures to address recent incidents of unruly behaviour at Nigerian airports.
According to Keyamo, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has resolved to reduce KWAM 1’s flight ban from six months to one month and will collaborate with him to raise public awareness on acceptable behaviour within the aviation sector. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will lead the engagement process.
“The NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period. FAAN will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward.
“Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the police,” the statement read.
The minister explained that the decision was influenced by appeals from prominent Nigerians and KWAM 1’s public expression of remorse over the August 5 incident, in which he allegedly obstructed the movement of a ValueJet aircraft.
The musician, who recently apologised to the public, maintained that the flask in his possession on the day of the incident contained water for medical purposes and not alcohol, contrary to claims by security personnel.
Keyamo stressed that the reprieve was granted on “compassionate grounds” but cautioned that the government remains committed to enforcing safety and security regulations in the aviation sector.
On August 5, KWAM 1 was involved in a confrontation with airline staff and security officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport while attempting to board a ValueJet flight to Lagos. He was accused of carrying a prohibited flask believed to contain alcohol, spilling its contents on personnel, and later walking onto the aircraft’s tarmac, allegedly preventing the plane from taxiing.
The NCAA described the incident as a violation of aviation safety rules and initially placed the artiste on a six-month no-fly list while filing a criminal complaint with the police.
