The Federal Government has announced plans to appoint Fuji music star, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol, following the recent controversy over his conduct at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this on Wednesday in a statement outlining resolutions to recent cases of unruly behaviour at Nigerian airports.
According to Keyamo, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has reduced K1’s six-month flight ban to one month and will collaborate with the musician to promote awareness on acceptable conduct 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 to engage him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward. Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA will also withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the police,” the statement read.
Keyamo said the decision followed appeals from well-meaning Nigerians and KWAM 1’s public apology over the August 5 incident, in which he allegedly obstructed the movement of a ValueJet aircraft.
The musician had apologised to the public, explaining that the flask he carried on the day contained water for medical purposes, not alcohol, as alleged by security personnel.
The minister stressed that the clemency was granted on compassionate grounds but warned that the government remained committed to enforcing aviation safety and security laws.
On August 5, KWAM 1 was involved in a confrontation with airline staff and security officials 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 tarmac, allegedly blocking the plane from taxiing.
The NCAA described the incident as a breach of aviation safety regulations and initially placed the artiste on a six-month no-fly list while filing a criminal complaint with the police.
