The Federal Government has announced plans to engage Fuji music icon, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, as an ambassador for proper airport security protocols following a recent incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, announced the move on Wednesday while outlining resolutions to recent cases of unruly conduct at Nigerian airports.
Keyamo said the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has reduced KWAM 1’s six-month flight ban to one month and will work with him to promote awareness of acceptable behaviour in 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 complaint against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the police,” the minister stated.
The minister explained that the decision followed appeals from well-meaning individuals and KWAM 1’s public expression of remorse over the August 5 incident, in which he allegedly obstructed a ValueJet aircraft’s movement.
The development comes days after the musician apologised, insisting the flask he carried during the incident contained water for medical reasons, not alcohol, as alleged by security personnel.
Keyamo stressed that the clemency was granted on compassionate grounds but warned that the government would continue to strictly enforce aviation safety and security laws.
On August 5, KWAM 1 clashed with airline staff and security officials at Abuja 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 stepping onto the tarmac, allegedly blocking the plane from taxiing.
The NCAA had initially described the act as a serious breach of aviation safety regulations, placing him on a six-month no-fly list and filing a criminal complaint with the police before Wednesday’s resolution.
