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 protocol, following the recent controversy over his conduct at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Festus Keyamo, minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
Keyamo revealed that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had agreed to reduce KWAM 1’s flight ban to one month and collaborate with him to raise public awareness on acceptable conduct within the aviation sector. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will spearhead 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 said the decision followed appeals from well-meaning individuals and KWAM 1’s public display of remorse over the August 5 incident, in which he allegedly obstructed the movement of a ValueJet aircraft.
The development comes days after the musician issued a public apology, stating that the flask he carried on the day of the incident contained water for medical reasons, not alcohol, as security personnel had alleged.
Keyamo emphasised that the clemency was granted on “compassionate grounds”, warning that government remained committed to enforcing safety and security regulations in the aviation sector.
On August 5, KWAM 1 was reportedly 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 blocking the plane from taxiing.
The NCAA described his actions as a breach of aviation safety rules, placing him on a six-month no-fly list and filing a criminal complaint with the police before this latest decision to ease the sanctions.
