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 following his recent altercation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, outlining resolutions to recent incidents of unruly conduct at Nigerian airports.
Keyamo said the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had reduced KWAM 1’s six-month flight ban to one month and would partner with him to raise public awareness on acceptable behaviour within the aviation environment. 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,” the minister said.
He added that the NCAA would also withdraw its criminal complaints against the artiste, citing his public apology and appeals from well-meaning Nigerians.
The August 5 incident involved KWAM 1 allegedly obstructing the movement of a ValueJet aircraft after a dispute with airline staff and security officials over a prohibited flask suspected to contain alcohol. The musician has since explained that it contained water for medical purposes.
Keyamo stressed that the clemency was granted on compassionate grounds but warned that the government remained committed to enforcing aviation safety and security laws.
