The Federal Government has announced that Fuji music legend, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, will be engaged as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, outlining resolutions to recent cases of unruly behaviour at Nigerian airports.
Keyamo said the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had agreed to reduce KWAM 1’s six-month flight ban to one month, following his public apology over the August 5 incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
According to the minister, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will lead the engagement process, working with the artiste to promote awareness on acceptable conduct within the aviation sector.
“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 is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the police,” Keyamo stated.
He explained that the decision followed appeals from well-meaning Nigerians and KWAM 1’s public show of remorse. The musician had apologised, insisting the flask he carried on the day contained water for medical purposes and not alcohol, as alleged by security personnel.
The minister stressed that the clemency was granted on “compassionate grounds,” warning that the government remained committed to enforcing safety and security laws in the aviation industry.
On August 5, KWAM 1 was accused of breaching aviation safety regulations after allegedly obstructing a ValueJet aircraft’s movement and spilling the contents of a prohibited flask on security personnel. The NCAA initially imposed a six-month no-fly ban and filed a criminal complaint with the police.
